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This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement opens January 26, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until this vacancy is filled, or February 20, 2026, whichever is later. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM (EST) ON January 30, 2026, WILL RECEIVE FIRST CONSIDERATION.

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Duties

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The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking attorneys to join its dynamic, high-performing team. Attorneys at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) work on a diverse and engaging portfolio, providing legal advice and counsel to agency leadership responsible for governmentwide leadership and direction in the strategic management of the Federal workforce.
OGC Attorneys perform a wide range of legal duties in support of OPM's mission. Ideal candidates will have experience in one or more of the following areas:

Federal employee benefits, compensation, leave, and retirement, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, other Federal health and insurance programs, and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
Internal and governmentwide labor relations matters, including advising human resources offices and agency management on collective bargaining issues
Contract and procurement matters, including government contracts, interagency and intergovernmental agreements, and acquisitions, and representing the agency before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA)
Fiscal law issues such as appropriations, bona fide need requirements, augmentation, interagency financing arrangements, authorization concerns, and legislative drafting
Government ethics matters, including conflicts of interest, standards of conduct, post-government employment restrictions, outside employment, gifts, external engagements, and financial disclosure requirements and reviews, employee counseling, and ethics training
Managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) programs, including making determinations on FOIA requests and exemptions and developing and implementing policies and procedures for the agency's FOIA program
Supporting the Department of Justice in Federal court litigation

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: At the GS-12 level and above: Applicants with one or more years of post Juris Doctorate (J.D.) legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:

A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;
Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
At least one year of experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; at least two years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; and at least three years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and at least four years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-15 level.

Preferred Qualifications

The ability to provide excellent customer service and to exercise sound judgment and decision making in challenging situations;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
High competence in legal research and analysis, including the ability to effectively integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, including in compressed timeframes;
The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment;
Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances;
Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently;
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships, both within and outside OGC;

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

Incentive payments may be considered.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Your Resume;
A Cover Letter, which includes an identification of the GS level(s) for which you are applying;
Proof of active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
Other supporting documents, as applicable:
- Transcript: If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you will be required to submit your transcript before your application will be considered complete. If you are applying at the GS-12 level or above, you may be required to submit a transcript if you advance in the selection process.
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, OPM considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
- Performance Appraisals: Current Federal employees must submit their last three performance appraisals, or explain why three are not available (e.g. employed in the government for fewer than three years).

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any other documentation.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJobs@opm.gov. Please include in the subject line your last name, the job announcement number, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Smith, 23-123-ABC-OPM, GS12 and 13.

You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application

Agency contact information

OGC Jobs

Phone: 202-606-1700
Email: OGCJOBS@OPM.GOV

Address: OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US

Next steps

References, Writing Sample, and Other Supporting Documents: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to: (1) submit three professional references; (2) submit a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length; and/or (3) complete one or more assessments. Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Your Resume;
A Cover Letter, which includes an identification of the GS level(s) for which you are applying;
Proof of active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
Other supporting documents, as applicable:
- Transcript: If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you will be required to submit your transcript before your application will be considered complete. If you are applying at the GS-12 level or above, you may be required to submit a transcript if you advance in the selection process.
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, OPM considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
- Performance Appraisals: Current Federal employees must submit their last three performance appraisals, or explain why three are not available (e.g. employed in the government for fewer than three years).

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any other documentation.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJobs@opm.gov. Please include in the subject line your last name, the job announcement number, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Smith, 23-123-ABC-OPM, GS12 and 13.

You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application

Agency contact information

OGC Jobs

Phone: 202-606-1700
Email: OGCJOBS@OPM.GOV

Address: OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US

Next steps

References, Writing Sample, and Other Supporting Documents: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to: (1) submit three professional references; (2) submit a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length; and/or (3) complete one or more assessments. Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/