Chief Counsel

Summary The incumbent of this position serves as Chief Counsel and legal advisor to a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and provides legal advice to the Member on a wide variety of legal and policy matters that come before the Member. The incumbent is responsible for the overall operation, direction, and management of the Member's Office, including the management of cases and related activities. Duties The incumbent performs a wide range of special, policy-related, and confidential assignments for the Member. These duties require a thorough understanding of the Member's perspectives, legal reasoning, policy positions, and overarching objectives. The incumbent prepares, or oversees the preparation of, written materials that convey the Member's views and priorities for use in congressional appearances and engagements with various organizations and stakeholder groups. The incumbent represents the Member in interactions with other Member Offices, Authority staff, other components within the FLRA, external organizations, and the public. Due to the nature of work being performed, assignments are held in strict confidence and are carried out with a high degree of tact, discretion, and professionalism. The incumbent provides legal and policy advice to the Member on matters before the Authority, including cases and rulemaking. This includes preparing recommendations based on a thorough review and analysis of relevant statutes, regulations, and precedent. The incumbent reviews draft decisions and other documents from the other Member Offices to ensure they accurately reflect the Member's views, address all relevant issues, and are legally supported. The incumbent prepares, or directs the preparation of, independent studies, reports, and special projects as requested by the Member. The incumbent is responsible for the overall management and operations of the Member's Office. The incumbent (1) plans, develops, and directs the staff's activities; and (2) is responsible and accountable for managing the Office's human, financial, and other resources in accordance with the views and policies of the Member, law, regulation, and Authority and public policies so as to achieve intended program results efficiently, economically, and effectively. The incumbent ensures that draft decisions prepared within the Member's Office: Accurately address all issues raised by the parties; Are thoroughly researched and legally supported, including the citation of appropriate precedent and other authorities; Reflect the Member's policy positions and legal interpretations; And, are properly formatted and error-free. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen. Non-Sensitive (NCS) - Moderate Risk. Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt. Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized. Bargaining Unit Status: No. Financial Disclosure Requirement: Required. Must possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from an accredited Law School. You must possess a current bar membership. New attorneys to the Federal government will be required to serve a trial period of 2 years. Direct Deposit is required. Qualifications Applicant must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Your resume is the primary document used to determine your qualifications and must clearly highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and, when applicable, your education as it relates to this position. Your experience must reflect a high level of complexity and responsibility sufficient to demonstrate that you possess the professional and technical qualifications required for a Senior Level position. Experience includes both paid and unpaid work, such as volunteer service through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, or social groups). Volunteer service can develop critical competencies, knowledge, and skills that directly translate to qualifying experience for federal employment. All qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, will be credited. The incumbent must have extensive experience in labor relations and labor law. Supervisory experience is required. 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. Education You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Candidates must hold a J.D. degree and be duly licensed to practice law in any State, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must be active members of the bar, in good standing, and must have a minimum of five years of post-J.D. legal experience. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: 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. Additional information 1. RESUME: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. 2. TRANSCRIPTS: Transcripts must contain the applicant's name, the name of the school, the degree awarded, the date conferred, and all required courses as required by the position. [IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS] 3. If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50). 4. A copy of your most recent performance appraisal (if current Federal employee). 5. If you are applying under Veterans' Preference, you should submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. These documents may include but are not limited to: DD214 (which indicates character of service), SF-15, VA Letter and/or Activation/Deactivation orders. If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. **The "certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. 6. If applicable, supporting documentation for military spouse preference. Excepted Service Position: This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager & agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. Supervisory Probationary Period: OPM requires that all first-time supervisors and managers serve a 12-month probationary period upon initial appointment. You may also need to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within 90 days of assignment to this position. Veterans Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the FLRA considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor in the hiring process. Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the law. For additional information, visit the Selective Service website. See http://www.sss.gov/. Transportation and Relocation: The FLRA may authorize travel, transportation, and/or relocation expenses subject to the availability of funds. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to receive salary payments by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. 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. Benefits 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. Learn more about federal benefits. The FLRA 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 FLRA 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 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.