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Attorney-Adviser (General)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs, Inspector General

Summary

OIG is organized into six operational units: the Immediate Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Counselor, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of Investigations, and Office of Management and Administration. In addition to the Washington, DC, headquarters, OIG has offices located in more than 60 locations throughout the country.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/28/2026 to 02/11/2026
Salary
$169,279 to - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-VAOIG-12870503-X
Control number
855750400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all US citizens or US nationals; no prior federal experience is required

Duties

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As an Attorney-Adviser (General), you will:

- Provide expert legal advice and guidance on issues relating to the review and coordination of OIG audits, reviews, investigations, inspections, and other initiatives designed to prevent or detect inefficiency, waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in VA programs and operations, including routine and dynamic technical legal assistance for planning, conducting and reporting the results of OIG investigations, inspections, reviews and audits.
- Collaborate with attorney colleagues in the office and the OIG's nationwide staff of auditors, analysts, criminal and administrative investigators, and healthcare inspectors.
- Conduct legal research and analysis on complex, difficult, and controversial legal issues concerning the application of criminal, civil, and administrative laws and practices; civil and criminal remedies and enforcement mechanisms; and the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.
- Play a critical role in the operational planning and report writing activities of OIG work projects.
- Provide expert legal advice on all aspects of the federal procurement process within the OIG, including reviewing and providing opinions on documents and tasks associated with acquisition procedures, source selection and contract administration, such as market research, solicitations, statements of work, contract interpretation, and claims/disputes that require working knowledge of government contract law, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
- Provide assistance to Federal prosecutors and other DOJ attorneys in preparation and conduct of criminal and civil proceedings involving VA incumbents, incumbents of other government agencies, and other matters implicating the interests of the OIG or Department.
- Maintain cooperative working relationship with all Department components, other OIGs and government agencies, representatives of Congressional committees, and other entities associated with the operations of the OIG.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Key Requirements:
  1. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  2. Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Be a current member of a bar with a valid license to practice law in a state or territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have four (4) or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, two of which were specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience must include:

  • Representing Federal agencies or other entities in litigation; OR
  • Serving as first-chair in hearings before administrative entities or courts; OR
  • Providing independent legal advice and guidance on a wide range of complex agency programmatic responsibilities; OR
  • Serving as a liaison with high-level Federal agency program officials.

Education

Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of graduation (a copy of your transcript will be required if selected).

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.

Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Applicants who apply for this position may be considered for other positions within the Office of Inspector General that require the same knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Office assignment may be at one of the locations listed on the announcement subject to availability and OIG management discretion.

Conditions of Employment (CONTINUED):
- A two year trial period may be required. Continued employment is contingent upon supervisory certification that continued employment will benefit the Federal Service; the certification will occur no less than 30 days before the end of the probationary/trial period.
- Within 30 days prior to the end of a probationary trial period, it must be certified by your first and second level supervisor that your continued employment would benefit the Federal service, or your appointment will be terminated.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.
- Undergo an income tax verification.

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.

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: This announcement is issued under excepted service hiring authority for Attorney positions (5CFR 213.3102): all candidates who meet all the qualification and other eligibility requirements may be referred for consideration. Competitive examining rules providing for rating and ranking and veterans' preference do not apply.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview and/or a writing assessment. Applicants who are selected for an interview may ask questions about the evaluation process at the time they are contacted for an interview.

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