Law Clerk, GS-0904-09 (Term NTE 14 months)

Summary This position is an entry-level law clerk position in the Legal Services component of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The incumbent works on legal matters and questions of low to moderate complexity. Learn more about this agency Duties Fraud doesn’t stop, and neither do we. We’re the Office of Inspector General, an independent oversight office within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness within ED programs. If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America’s students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you! We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more. Often referred to as America’s watchdogs, it’s our job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients. The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K–12 schools, charter schools, special education, vocational education, adult education, and more. When our work identifies problems, we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country. We conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials—any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. Through our work, we have unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children. We’re also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime. We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities. We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff. This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime. Whether you are just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, if you’re looking for a career rather than just a job, and shaping the next generation of American’s tackling tomorrow’s challenges, consider joining our team. As a Law Clerk at the GS-9, the incumbent performs the following duties: legal research and analysis; and legal writing in various federal legal subject matter areas including the IG Act, the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, and various whistleblower laws. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. May be required to complete a background clearance and fingerprint check. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug testing. This position is in the Excepted Service. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or 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 OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements prior to onboarding. 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience. Qualifications Minimum Qualification Requirements: Law Clerk GS-0904-09: Candidates must have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) or training which is permitted in some states in lieu of attendance at the law school. This training must be the kind required by the State in which the bar examination is to be taken. In addition to the education requirement, the candidate must also demonstrate proficiency in legal research strategies, approaches and techniques, completing legal writing products including memos, letters, motions or court filings and experience with verbal discussions of legal issues or matters. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of legal research strategies, sources, and techniques for federal legal issues. Knowledge of legal writing techniques and approaches, and verbal expression on legal issues, sufficient to convey legal conclusions and address counterarguments. Education This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement. Additional information This Term Appointment as a Law Clerk is limited to 14 months, during which time appointees must be admitted in good standing to the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the United States.  Law Clerks may convert to an entry-level Attorney-Advisor (GS-0905) position after admittance to a State Bar and demonstration of satisfactory employment during the interim period of 14 months from the original appointment. Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [email protected] to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email).Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Employment Drug Policy: Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis prior to appointment to screen for illegal drug use and will be subject to periodic random testing thereafter.Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules. You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. Review our 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.