This announcement will be used to fill multiple positions in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As an attorney in OGC, you will provide legal advice and representation to OPM leaders on a wide variety of issues relating to both the internal work of OPM, as well as OPM's government-wide policies, oversight, and programs that support more than 8 million Federal employees, retirees, and family members.
Summary
This announcement will be used to fill multiple positions in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As an attorney in OGC, you will provide legal advice and representation to OPM leaders on a wide variety of issues relating to both the internal work of OPM, as well as OPM's government-wide policies, oversight, and programs that support more than 8 million Federal employees, retirees, and family members.
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. While no one candidate likely will have expertise in every area of OGC's legal portfolio, 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, and authorization concerns
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
Information law, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act, cybersecurity, IT, information security, AI, and related issues
Supporting the Department of Justice in Federal court litigation
Oversight and/or investigations experience, including advising agency representatives in inquiries, audits, and investigations by oversight entities such as Congressional committees, the Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office.
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 trial 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: 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 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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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 have to serve a 2-year trial 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume that includes your bar number and issuing state.
Othersupporting documents, as applicable:
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).
Responses to four Merit Hiring essay questions described below (optional)
Merit Hiring Questions: Applicants may choose to submit responses to the four essay questions below. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with these responses is not permitted. By submitting responses, you certify that the essays are your own work and were completed without the use of AI.
How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
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, GS13 and 14.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
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/
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume that includes your bar number and issuing state.
Othersupporting documents, as applicable:
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).
Responses to four Merit Hiring essay questions described below (optional)
Merit Hiring Questions: Applicants may choose to submit responses to the four essay questions below. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with these responses is not permitted. By submitting responses, you certify that the essays are your own work and were completed without the use of AI.
How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
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, GS13 and 14.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
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/
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
