This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/514683900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The incumbent serves as a Attorney-Adviser (Veterans), for the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or Board). The jurisdiction of BVA extends to all questions of law and fact under laws that affect the provision of benefits by the Secretary to Veterans or their dependents or survivors. The incumbent must be able to draft decisions in all types of appeals, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge.
10/30/2018 to 01/28/2019
$68,036 - $148,967 per year
GS 11
Many vacancies in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent - Excepted Service
Full-Time
Excepted
14
No
No
CBGA-19-10339144-KAB
514683900
The work is very similar to a judicial clerkship, in that the principal duty of the attorney is to work directly with a Veterans Law Judge to draft tentative decisions in Veterans' appeals. It is an entry level position with promotion opportunities to GS-14.
The incumbent must be able to draft decisions in all types of appeals, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge. This position requires developing an expert knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to Veterans benefits, as set forth in Title 38 of the United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations; the precedent decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), and the United States Supreme Court; and the precedent decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) General Counsel. Specifically, the incumbent reviews and evaluates the credibility and probative value of medical and lay evidence in claims files; drafts a high volume of tentative appellate decisions based on that review; and conducts research on questions encountered in case review or as requested by the Veterans Law Judge.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.
Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Available after trial period of six months
Telework: Available after a trial period of one year
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Attorney-Advisor (Veterans)/#03141A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
This vacancy is open to the public as a standing register. Candidates will be referred (issued for review) to the service (if meeting all qualification and document requirements) on a monthly basis. This position is subject to close at any time during the open period once all vacancies are filled. Qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official for consideration on the following dates: November 30, 2018; December 28 , 2018 and January 28, 2019
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Transcripts- Please ensure your law transcripts indicate the type of degree awarded and the date it was awarded.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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 reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
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.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Resume - Your resume may be in any written format you choose, and to be sufficient, should contain the required information as specified in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Insufficient resumes, or resumes that contain inappropriate information, such as privacy information, detailed security clearance documents, copies of driver's licenses or passports, any photographs, etc., will result in an ineligible rating.
2. Proof of Bar Membership - Certification showing that you are a member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
3. Transcripts - A copy of your transcript(s) for all law school course work completed is required. If you received a degree from an academic institution, be sure that your transcript reflects the same. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application purposes. If your education is from a foreign university, it should include an evaluation of the education by an accredited U.S. source that specializes in interpretation of foreign education credentials. If selected, your academic credentials are verified as part of the security clearance process.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/28/2019 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10339144.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
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:
1. Resume - Your resume may be in any written format you choose, and to be sufficient, should contain the required information as specified in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Insufficient resumes, or resumes that contain inappropriate information, such as privacy information, detailed security clearance documents, copies of driver's licenses or passports, any photographs, etc., will result in an ineligible rating.
2. Proof of Bar Membership - Certification showing that you are a member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
3. Transcripts - A copy of your transcript(s) for all law school course work completed is required. If you received a degree from an academic institution, be sure that your transcript reflects the same. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application purposes. If your education is from a foreign university, it should include an evaluation of the education by an accredited U.S. source that specializes in interpretation of foreign education credentials. If selected, your academic credentials are verified as part of the security clearance process.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/28/2019 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10339144.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/514683900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.