Attorney-Advisor

Summary This position is for an Attorney-Advisor within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Inspector General (OIG). OIG enhances DOT programs and operations by conducting objective investigations and audits of departmental programs and operations in addition to detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of law. Learn more about this agency Duties This position is located in the Office of Inspector General, Office of Chief Counsel.  The Office of Chief Counsel provides legal advice and guidance in support of OIG’s mission. Attorney-Advisors advise on every aspect of OIG operations, including audits, investigations, and other reviews; internal management issues; appropriations; ethics; information disclosure law; and much more. Attorney-Advisors handle a broad range of long-term and short-term assignments and interact with management and staff across the OIG.The individual(s) selected will work on a small team of Attorney-Advisors and will primarily perform the following duties.  Conducting complex legal research on and analysis of laws under Titles 49 and 18 of the United States Code, applicable criminal and civil procedures, DOT regulatory schemes, and other issues identified during the course of OIG investigations in support of criminal, civil, and administrative actions. Reviewing IG subpoenas, investigative reports, audit reports, and other products for legal sufficiency; conduct Giglio/Henthorn reviews at the requests of prosecutors preparing for trial where an OIG agent may be called as a witness. Reviewing and drafting legislation and policies affecting the Department of Transportation, Offices of Inspectors General, and other agencies. Planning and conducting legal update training for investigators. Developing reference aids and knowledge sharing management systems. Providing support as needed to OIG investigations including acting as a Special Assistant United States Attorney when appropriate. Other duties as assigned in the areas of general law and programmatic support. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen This position is subject to a background investigation. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date. May be required to serve a 2-year trial period. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service Must submit transcripts. Must meet member of the bar requirement. Must possess a Juris Doctorate Law Degree or equivalent (J.D. or LL.B) MEMBER OF THE BAR REQUIREMENT: Must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as JD and Bar membership information (institution name, state for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will result in an incomplete application. Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications Qualifying applicants must have successfully completed a law degree (J.D. or L.L.B) and must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Additionally, applicants must also possess the specialized experience as described below.  GS-14: To be considered for the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least three years of relevant professional legal experience after completion of law school. The specialized experience must include developing legal opinions, briefs, pleadings, or other filings in litigation and/or analysis of legal issues related to government contracts and grants; providing legal counsel on government investigations, and prosecution of Federal criminal cases as a trial attorney or Assistant U.S. Attorney and/or experience in affirmative civil enforcement on behalf the United States. GS-15: To be considered for the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least five years of relevant professional legal experience after completion of law school. The specialized experience must include developing legal opinions, briefs, pleadings, or other filings in litigation; providing legal counsel on government investigations; and prosecution of Federal criminal cases as a trial attorney or Assistant U.S. Attorney and/or experience in affirmative civil enforcement on behalf the United States. Applicants must meet the required qualifications by the closing date of the announcement. Education Education: Successful completion of a law degree (J.D. or L.L.B.).  Must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. DEGREE AUDITS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. IF SELECTED, AN OFFICIAL/SEALED TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT DATE BEING ESTABLISHED. IF YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE FROM A FOREIGN INSTITUTION YOU MUST SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION EVIDENCE THAT ANY EDUCATION COMPLETED IN A FOREIGN INSTITUTION WAS APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING BODY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS EQUIVALENT TO U.S. STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, REFER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT http://www.ed.gov.  Additional information OIG carries out its mission by issuing audit reports, evaluations, management advisories, and other products with findings and recommendations to improve program delivery and performance. PLEASE NOTE THIS VACANCY WILL CLOSE  AT MIDNIGHT ON THE CLOSING DATE OR AT MIDNIGHT ON THE DAY WE RECEIVE THE 150TH APPLICATION, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION. Applicants selected for an excepted service position are subject to a two year trial period. If selected for this position, you will be subject to favorable adjudication of an employment suitability determination.You must submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually. Candidates will be asked to fill out a Declaration for Federal Employment (Optional Form 306). Individuals selected for this position will be required to certify that their application materials are accurate when they enter on duty. Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment. It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or to find an individual unqualified, unsuitable, or unfit for employment based upon financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience should be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. THIS AGENCY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE AGENCY. THE DECISION ON GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, UNION AFFILIATION OR NON AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, NON- DISQUALIFYING PHYSICAL HANDICAP, OR ANY OTHER NON-MERIT REASON. THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG), U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Relocation expenses will not be paid. No permanent change of station (PCS) expenses will be paid. 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. The Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) offers all standard federal benefits that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.The Department of Transportation recognizes the importance and encourages the use of telework. Telework supports departmental mission and performance goals and improves the Department's capability to support homeland and national security requirements. Telework improves individual and organizational productivity; helps reduce highway congestion and mobile source emissions; serves as a recruitment and retention tool; helps maintain operations during emergency situations; and improves work life quality.  This position has been identified as a telework-eligible position. 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.