The incumbent serves as Supervisory General Attorney for the Office of Special Counsel and Labor Relations Office. This Office is concerned with (1) providing advice to the Agency concerning employment matters and representing the Agency in formal proceedings and (2) providing advice to the Agency concerning procurement and contract administration matters and representing the Agency concerning tort claims and claims against the Agency filed administratively.
Summary
The incumbent serves as Supervisory General Attorney for the Office of Special Counsel and Labor Relations Office. This Office is concerned with (1) providing advice to the Agency concerning employment matters and representing the Agency in formal proceedings and (2) providing advice to the Agency concerning procurement and contract administration matters and representing the Agency concerning tort claims and claims against the Agency filed administratively.
As a Supervisory General Attorney (Labor) (Special Counsel) (Assistant General Counsel), GS-0905-15, your typical work assignments may include:
Providing legal counsel regarding the position to be taken by the Agency on charges and complaints brought by employees and employee groups, and on proposed adverse actions to be taken against employees.
Preparing and presenting the Agency's case in formal hearings before the FLRA, MSPB, EEOC, OPM, Federal Courts, and through the various appellate levels to conclusion.
Serving as Assistant General Counsel and is responsible for supervising and reviewing the work of the Office's Deputy Assistant General Counsel and special counsel attorneys, as well as assisting in planning, organizing, and conducting all aspects of the Office's cases.
Supervising subordinate attorneys in appeals and arbitration proceedings under the grievance procedure of the Agency's union-management contracts and in grievances raised pursuant to negotiated grievance procedures.
Participating in conferences with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or designee on the merits of cases and on legal and policy issues and recommends action when necessary.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
This is not a remote position.
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
This is an Excepted Service position.
This position is not part of the Bargaining Unit.
Applicants may be subject to complete a two-year trial period.
May be subject to a background investigation prior to appointment.
Active Bar license is required for verification. Bar license must reference Bar number and indicate the status of good standing. A Self-Certification Form is not acceptable verification.
This is a positive education position. Current NLRB attorneys are not required to submit a copy of their transcripts. However, if attorneys are within 3 years from receiving their J.D., a transcript must be provided with their application package.
Submit complete application package online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
Qualifications
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled attorney with extensive experience in Federal labor and employment law, administrative litigation, and legal advisory services. The candidate demonstrates expert knowledge of labor-management relations, Equal Employment Opportunity law, adverse actions, grievance and arbitration procedures, and related Federal statutes and regulations. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional legal research, analytical, and advocacy skills, with demonstrated experience representing organizations before administrative agencies and Federal courts. They have a proven ability to supervise and mentor attorneys, manage complex legal caseloads, and provide strategic guidance to senior executives on sensitive and high-impact legal matters.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Education: Applicants must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL. B or J.D.). Law school transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.
Bar Membership/Certification: Applicants must be an active member of the BAR in good standing of any state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial court under the U.S. Constitution. Your active BAR license must reference BAR number and indicate the status of good standing. An Agency's Internal or a Self-Certification Form is not acceptable for verification.
In addition to the BASIC REQUIREMENT, applicants must also meet the following:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level, which has provided them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the Supervisory General Attorney (Labor) (Special Counsel) GS-15 grade level.
Specialized experience includes:
Experience providing expert legal advice and representation in complex employment and labor law matters, including Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), adverse actions, labor-management relations, employee grievances, arbitration proceedings, or unfair labor practice litigation before administrative tribunals or Federal courts.
Experience supervising attorneys or legal staff in the preparation, analysis, litigation, negotiation, and resolution of complex legal matters involving Federal employment law, labor relations, procurement issues, or administrative litigation.
Experience advising senior leadership on complex legal and policy issues, developing litigation strategies, preparing legal briefs and motions, and representing an organization in formal proceedings before entities such as the FLRA, MSPB, EEOC, arbitration forums, or Federal courts.
This experience must be fully supported and articulated in your resume to receive consideration. Please do not cut and paste the specialized experience from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
All Agency employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status.
The SF-50 must include your Position, Title, Series, Grade, Step, Tenure (1 or 2), and Type of Service (Excepted).
As a current NLRB Excepted Service employee, you may determine your status by checking block 24 on your SF-50. The block must reflect "1" or "2". Also, block 34 must reflect "2". A copy of your SF-50 must be provided for verification.
Education
Applicants must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL. B or J.D.). All education claimed by applicants will be verified.
NOTE: Current NLRB Attorneys may not be required to submit a copy of their transcripts. However, NLRB employees within 3 years from receiving their juris doctorate degree, must provide a transcript with their application package.
Special Instructions for Foreign EducationIf you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in accredited U.S. education programs; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information regarding Foreign Education, please click here.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Additional information
SUPPLEMENTARY VACANCIES
Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/REASONABLE ACCOMODATION
The National Labor Relations Board is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
Applicants with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Agency's Selective Placement Coordinator by email here. NLRB offers a wide array of reasonable accommodations and programs for individuals with disabilities. (Note: For additional information for job seekers with disabilities, please click on the following website here.)
PLACEMENT POLICY
The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by Appointment and Reassignment. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
TRIAL PERIOD
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required 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; and
The needs and interests of the agency; and
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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
The National Labor Relations Board offers career opportunities that feature competitive starting salaries and the potential for performance-based increases, flexible hours, and the ability to achieve and maintain a balanced lifestyle. You will enjoy a range of comprehensive and competitive employment benefits that include Work/Life Balance Programs (Alternative Work Schedules, Telework, Employee Assistance Program, and the Child Care Subsidy Program), the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, and the Transit Benefit Program.
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.
Once the application process is complete, your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
Decision Making
Labor Relations
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
Managing Human Resources
Oral Communication
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.
At the time of application, applicants will be provided with four short, free-response essay questions designed to ascertain their dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee) to review. Responses are not required and will not be scored. If applicants choose to provide a response to the essay questions, they will be required to certify that they are using their own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
For evaluating the quality of applicants for referral to the selecting official, a four-phased process will be used.
Phase 1: Applicants' resume and supporting documents will be reviewed by Human Resources (HR) to determine whether they meet the basic qualification requirements.
Phase 2: Applicants who are minimally qualified may be advanced to a Structured Resume Review assessment conducted by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel. SMEs may review applicants' resumes to evaluate technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience.
Phase 3: Applicants who successfully pass the Structured Resume Review assessment may be advanced to a Structured Interview conducted by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel. SMEs may assess applicants' ability to demonstrate the required competencies for the position.
Phase 4: A final score, which may combine the results from one or more assessments, may be used to identify the top-rated applicants. Applicants meeting the established cut-off score may be referred to the selecting official for consideration and may be required to participate in one or more additional interviews as part of the hiring process.
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.
Please submit the supporting documents outlined below for your claimed eligibility status.
RESUME
In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length. The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement.
Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below:
Contact Information
Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.
Relevant Work Experience
Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 -08/2022 or present)
The number of hours you worked per week
Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.
Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two-page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.
Proof of Bar Certification
A copy of your BAR License that certifies you are an active member of the BAR in good standing of any state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution. Your active BAR license must reference BAR number and indicate the status of good standing. Self-Certification Forms are not acceptable for verification.
Transcripts
An unofficial copy of your transcripts is sufficient for this application package. The unofficial transcripts must be verifiable; contain the name of the institution, applicant's name, list of completed courses (with grades), semester hours, and GPA. If the position has a positive education requirement (i.e. LL. B or JD), as indicated under the "Education" section, the unofficial transcripts must show the type of degree and degree date received (conferred).
Current NLRB Attorneys may not be required to submit a copy of their transcripts. However, NLRB employees within 3 years from receiving their Juris Doctorate degree, must provide a transcript with their application package. If selected, an official copy of the transcripts may be and must be received before employment.
Legal Writing Sample
Applicants are required to submit a legal document of their choice (not edited by anyone other than the applicant and preferably no more than five pages).
OTHER DOCUMENTS (IF applicable)(Click links for more information)
Cover Letter
Applicants are requested to submit a Cover Letter, but it is not a required document.
Most Recent Performance Appraisal (Current/Former Federal Employees)
If performance appraisal is not dated within the last 18 months or if you are unable to provide a copy, an explanation of why must be provided. Please include a document in your application package explaining why the performance appraisal is not available.
Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) (Current/Previous Federal Employees)
You must submit a copy of your non-award SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your highest rate of pay and documenting your status in the Excepted service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. As an employee in the Excepted Service, you may determine your status by checking block 24 on your SF-50. The block must reflect "1" or "2". Also, block 34 must reflect "2".
NOTE: Performance Awards, Realignment/Reassignment, Name Change and Detail SF-50s will not be accepted as proof of grade and tenure.
Individuals with Disabilities: Disability Letter Veterans: DD-214 (member copy-4) Disabled Veterans: DD-214, SF-15 and VA letter dated 1991 or later (indicating % disability) Certain Military Spouses: Copy of service member's PCS order authorizing the spouse to accompany the service member AND Proof of marriage to the service member; OR Proof the service member was released or discharged from active duty due to a service-connected disability AND documentation of the service member's 100% disability AND proof of marriage to the service member; OR Proof of the service member's death while on active duty AND proof of marriage to the service member. Family Member Preference (Derived Preference)
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJOBS does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
All materials must be received by 06/04/2026 to be considered for this announcement.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Resume; and
Any other documents needed to verify your qualifications or eligibility (see the Required Documents section).
Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin the process, click the APPLY ONLINE button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the SUBMIT MY ANSWERS button at the end of the process.
If you have never applied through USAJOBS for a position with the Federal Civil Service, you will need to create a USAJOBS account.
To change or update your application, simply reapply through USAJOBS, before the closing date. New or updated resumes are considered "incomplete" applications until the required virus scan is cleared.
SPECIAL COUNSEL and LABOR RELATIONS
1015 Half St SE
Washington, DC 20570-0049
US
Next steps
Once your application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application, and a final notice once a selection has been made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please submit the supporting documents outlined below for your claimed eligibility status.
RESUME
In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length. The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement.
Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below:
Contact Information
Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.
Relevant Work Experience
Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 -08/2022 or present)
The number of hours you worked per week
Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.
Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two-page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.
Proof of Bar Certification
A copy of your BAR License that certifies you are an active member of the BAR in good standing of any state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution. Your active BAR license must reference BAR number and indicate the status of good standing. Self-Certification Forms are not acceptable for verification.
Transcripts
An unofficial copy of your transcripts is sufficient for this application package. The unofficial transcripts must be verifiable; contain the name of the institution, applicant's name, list of completed courses (with grades), semester hours, and GPA. If the position has a positive education requirement (i.e. LL. B or JD), as indicated under the "Education" section, the unofficial transcripts must show the type of degree and degree date received (conferred).
Current NLRB Attorneys may not be required to submit a copy of their transcripts. However, NLRB employees within 3 years from receiving their Juris Doctorate degree, must provide a transcript with their application package. If selected, an official copy of the transcripts may be and must be received before employment.
Legal Writing Sample
Applicants are required to submit a legal document of their choice (not edited by anyone other than the applicant and preferably no more than five pages).
OTHER DOCUMENTS (IF applicable)(Click links for more information)
Cover Letter
Applicants are requested to submit a Cover Letter, but it is not a required document.
Most Recent Performance Appraisal (Current/Former Federal Employees)
If performance appraisal is not dated within the last 18 months or if you are unable to provide a copy, an explanation of why must be provided. Please include a document in your application package explaining why the performance appraisal is not available.
Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) (Current/Previous Federal Employees)
You must submit a copy of your non-award SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your highest rate of pay and documenting your status in the Excepted service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. As an employee in the Excepted Service, you may determine your status by checking block 24 on your SF-50. The block must reflect "1" or "2". Also, block 34 must reflect "2".
NOTE: Performance Awards, Realignment/Reassignment, Name Change and Detail SF-50s will not be accepted as proof of grade and tenure.
Individuals with Disabilities: Disability Letter Veterans: DD-214 (member copy-4) Disabled Veterans: DD-214, SF-15 and VA letter dated 1991 or later (indicating % disability) Certain Military Spouses: Copy of service member's PCS order authorizing the spouse to accompany the service member AND Proof of marriage to the service member; OR Proof the service member was released or discharged from active duty due to a service-connected disability AND documentation of the service member's 100% disability AND proof of marriage to the service member; OR Proof of the service member's death while on active duty AND proof of marriage to the service member. Family Member Preference (Derived Preference)
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJOBS does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
All materials must be received by 06/04/2026 to be considered for this announcement.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Resume; and
Any other documents needed to verify your qualifications or eligibility (see the Required Documents section).
Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin the process, click the APPLY ONLINE button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the SUBMIT MY ANSWERS button at the end of the process.
If you have never applied through USAJOBS for a position with the Federal Civil Service, you will need to create a USAJOBS account.
To change or update your application, simply reapply through USAJOBS, before the closing date. New or updated resumes are considered "incomplete" applications until the required virus scan is cleared.
SPECIAL COUNSEL and LABOR RELATIONS
1015 Half St SE
Washington, DC 20570-0049
US
Next steps
Once your application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application, and a final notice once a selection has been made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
