This position is part of the Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office, Department of Energy.
National Nuclear Security Administration Demonstration Project:
This position is covered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Demonstration Project. The NQ-03 pay band is equivalent to the GS-13/14 grade levels. For more information on the NNSA Demonstration Project and Pay Band/Salary Tables, review http://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsas-demo-pay-system-compared-general-schedule.
Summary
This position is part of the Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office, Department of Energy.
National Nuclear Security Administration Demonstration Project:
This position is covered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Demonstration Project. The NQ-03 pay band is equivalent to the GS-13/14 grade levels. For more information on the NNSA Demonstration Project and Pay Band/Salary Tables, review http://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsas-demo-pay-system-compared-general-schedule.
As a Attorney-Advisor (General), NQ-0905-3, you will:
Provide legal advice and counsel to Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office (NRLFO), Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) officials, and employees on a broad range of matters, including contracts and procurement, appropriations, ethics, personnel, labor relations, equal employment opportunity, security, taxation, and Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act matters.
Advise leadership on the legal implications and consequences of proposed actions; identify legal risks and recommend alternative approaches to avoid or minimize legal difficulties.
Interpret and apply applicable statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration policies and directives, legal opinions, Comptroller General decisions, and administrative decisions in support of agency operations and management decisions.
Review, prepare, and negotiate contracts, agreements, legal instruments, memoranda of law, legal opinions, regulations, management directives, correspondence, pleadings, and briefs to ensure legal sufficiency and consistency with Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration policy.
Conduct legal research and factual analysis involving nuclear and non-nuclear environmental requirements, toxic torts, health and safety, civil rights, security, litigation, and other issues associated with defense, research, development, and production operations.
Perform litigation-related and interagency coordination duties, including preparing pleadings and briefs, supporting witness examinations and oral arguments, representing the agency in discussions with federal, state, local, program, site office, and contractor stakeholders, and coordinating significant issues with National Nuclear Security Administration policies General Counsel.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. See www.sss.gov.
You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final DOE Q level security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment may be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or pass the test. You will be subject to random testing.
You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
A two-year trial period may be required.
Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified in this announcement. Situational telework may be approved.
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
Resumes may not exceed two pages. Please see additional information in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section of the job announcement.
Qualifications
In addition to demonstrating the basic requirement listed in the education section of this announcement, applicants must also demonstrate possession of specialized experience.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level NQ-02 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:
Providing legal advice and support on a diverse range of legal matters related to business disciplines involving finance, contracting, and engineering within an agency or organization.
Advising on contracts and procurement, appropriations, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act requirements, taxation, personnel security, ethics, personnel matters, employment and personnel matters, or labor relations.
Addressing nuclear and non-nuclear environmental laws and regulations-including toxic tort, health, and safety issues-and litigation related to these practice areas.
Please ensure that your resume does not exceed two (2) pages in length. If you submit more than two pages, only the first two will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be shared with the hiring manager if you are referred.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
Duties (be specific in describing your duties, we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience)
Employer's name and address
Supervisor name and phone number
Start and end dates including month, and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. DEGREE: Possess a law degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school with a J.D., LL.B., or equivalent degree; and B. BAR MEMBERSHIP: Proof of active member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
Positive Education Requirement: This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic requirement by submitting proof of J.D. degree and proof of good standing with a U. S. jurisdiction bar association. Please see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement for additional information.
Education: Applicant must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or have a LLM degree or other graduate law school degree in additional to J.D.) and be an active member of a U.S. jurisdiction bar association.
Education must be from an accredited 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.
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
If this vacancy specifies particular educational requirements, please provide documentation to verify your educational claims. This can include unofficial transcripts or any report that lists the institution, courses titles, credit earned, and final grades. For additional information, please see How to fill out your education.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at AdministrativeInvestigations@hq.doe.gov.
The Department of Energy (DOE) encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DOE mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for a non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
This position is being filled by an alternative hiring process (Excepted Service) and is not in the competitive civil service.
Veterans Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however the Office of General Counsel considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor in the hiring process.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. You must respond to all required application questions.
If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office.
If your resume is incomplete or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/13/2026) of this announcement.
Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
RESUME: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. Be clear and specific in describing your job-related qualifications, as HR cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Include dates (month and year) and hours worked per week. For military or Federal civilian service, you MUST include your pay plan/band, series, and/or rank/grade (e.g., Captain, E-5, GS-0301-9). Do NOT include photographs, social media links (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation. IF INCLUDED YOUR RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
WRITING SAMPLE: A legal writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages, that highlights your analytical and written communication skills and your ability to apply law to facts. The writing sample MUST be the sole work product of the applicant:
LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS, CONFIRMING J.D. DEGREE: Submit a copy of your transcripts from an accredited institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, educational institution name, declared degree program, course title(s), credits completed, grade, date of completion, Grade Point Average (GPA), and date of degree conferral. If selected, an official transcript will be required.
COPY OF BAR MEMBERSHIP, in good standing.
5. OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (only submit if applicable):
CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows the grade, step, tenure (block 24), and position occupied (block 34). If applying for a higher grade, provide a SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade or promotion potential held. You may need to provide more than one (1) SF-50, if your SF-50 does not clearly demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement(examples of appropriate SF-50s include Appointment/Conversion, Within-Grade/Range Increases and Promotion actions). NOTE: Pay adjustments and awards are NOT acceptable.
VETERAN DOCUMENTATION (if applicable): Submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of active service, rank/grade, expected character of service (i.e., honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e., separation or retirement). NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If selected, a DD-214 must be provided prior to appointment.
10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Submit a SF-15 and provide an official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating (NOTE: Your overall percentage must be clearly shown), and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL SCHEDULE A, SCHEDULE C, NON-CAREER SES OR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; AND
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
All documents, including transcripts, must be in English
For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.
Failure to submit required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
Resume Requirements
Your two (2) pageRESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). If you submit a resume longer than two (2) pages, you will be ineligible for further consideration.
Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files.
We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume.
The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office
814 Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard
West Mifflin, PA 15122
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJOBS Account and editing the Notification Settings.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
RESUME: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. Be clear and specific in describing your job-related qualifications, as HR cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Include dates (month and year) and hours worked per week. For military or Federal civilian service, you MUST include your pay plan/band, series, and/or rank/grade (e.g., Captain, E-5, GS-0301-9). Do NOT include photographs, social media links (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation. IF INCLUDED YOUR RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
WRITING SAMPLE: A legal writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages, that highlights your analytical and written communication skills and your ability to apply law to facts. The writing sample MUST be the sole work product of the applicant:
LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS, CONFIRMING J.D. DEGREE: Submit a copy of your transcripts from an accredited institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, educational institution name, declared degree program, course title(s), credits completed, grade, date of completion, Grade Point Average (GPA), and date of degree conferral. If selected, an official transcript will be required.
COPY OF BAR MEMBERSHIP, in good standing.
5. OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (only submit if applicable):
CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows the grade, step, tenure (block 24), and position occupied (block 34). If applying for a higher grade, provide a SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade or promotion potential held. You may need to provide more than one (1) SF-50, if your SF-50 does not clearly demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement(examples of appropriate SF-50s include Appointment/Conversion, Within-Grade/Range Increases and Promotion actions). NOTE: Pay adjustments and awards are NOT acceptable.
VETERAN DOCUMENTATION (if applicable): Submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of active service, rank/grade, expected character of service (i.e., honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e., separation or retirement). NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If selected, a DD-214 must be provided prior to appointment.
10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Submit a SF-15 and provide an official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating (NOTE: Your overall percentage must be clearly shown), and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL SCHEDULE A, SCHEDULE C, NON-CAREER SES OR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; AND
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
All documents, including transcripts, must be in English
For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.
Failure to submit required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
Resume Requirements
Your two (2) pageRESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). If you submit a resume longer than two (2) pages, you will be ineligible for further consideration.
Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files.
We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume.
The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office
814 Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard
West Mifflin, PA 15122
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJOBS Account and editing the Notification Settings.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
