Clerk of the Appellate Boards (Supervisory Attorney-Adviser)

Summary Make a difference as the Clerk of the Appellate Boards serving as the public-facing officer for the three Boards at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), ensuring timely, efficient, fair and impartial adjudication of appeals of workers' claims. The position supports DOL's three Appellate Adjudicatory Boards: the Benefits Review Board (BRB), the Administrative Review Board (ARB), and the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB). This position reports to the BRB's Chair/Chief Judge. Duties This position is outside the bargaining unit. Appellate Reviews Oversees all activities and procedures involving appeals and associated legal filings submitted to the Boards. Ensures case records meet legal and procedural requirements before submission to the legal staff for further review and consideration. Liaises with other DOL agencies to settle questions of jurisdiction and acquire additional legal documents essential for processing and deciding appeals. Oversees the drafting of orders in response to motions, petitions, and drafting legal memoranda summarizing motions and petitions, and recommending suitable actions. Exercises signatory authority to certify the Boards' official documents and records. Boards' Docket and Case Management Oversees and manages the Boards' docket, ensuring all case filings, orders, motions, and proceedings are accurately processed, updated, recorded, and accessible for adjudication. Provides leadership and direction for case coordination with appropriate Judges, staff, and other legal professionals that facilitates the smooth progression of cases in accordance with legal procedural timelines and court orders. Ensures all docket entries and case management activities comply with applicable federal rules, court procedures, and statutory and regulatory requirements. Maintains the integrity of the Boards' dockets through regular audits and quality assurance. Generates and analyzes specialized reports on docket activities and case status for management and judicial review, supporting strategic decision-making and efficient appellate operations. Collaborates with the Boards' external stakeholders, which includes parties and their attorneys, IT Manager, and the Office of the Chief Information Officer, along with other relevant agencies, manages the Boards' electronic case management and electronic filing/service systems. Develops new or revised methods and procedures to protect, control, maintain, and retrieve case records and related legal documents the Boards receive. Ensures the continuity of OCAB operations during a government shutdown or other emergency situation. Strategic Planning/Policy Development Participates with the Boards' Chief Judges, Judges, and leadership teams and staff to develop short- and long-term vision, mission, and strategic goals to achieve organizational efficiencies. Conducts legal research and assesses emerging legal trends to inform strategic decisions and policy development. Collaborates with the Boards' leadership, members of the Bar, the public, and other key stakeholders to gather input, build consensus, and ensure that the strategic plan reflects the Boards' priorities and enables OCAB to efficiently deliver its services. Establishes or amends quality standards and production goals for the Boards. Reviews amendments to controlling law and regulations, consolidates cases with identical issues, and applies higher courts' decisions that depart from past practice or reasoning. Leads the communication of strategic initiatives and policy changes to senior leadership and relevant staff. Supervisory/Managerial Directs and coordinates a major legal organization with significant resources and impact at the multimillion-dollar level. Supervises professional and legal administrative staff performing legal work related to processing appeals, case reviews, legal research, and disposition. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: manages and monitors day-to-day operations and work to ensure that OCAB's objectives are being met; plans the work, schedules projects and activities, establishes priorities, and discusses goals and objectives with the Boards' leadership and staff; assigns work to OCAB staff; interviews and participates in the selection of personnel within the Office and the BRB; assesses OCAB staff's quality of work; conducts performance evaluations and maintains a record of performance of individual staff; makes recommendations for promotions; resolves employee grievances within the office environment or formally filed with the local union; inspires, motivates, and guides staff towards goal accomplishments; addresses staff development needs and training program requirements. Customer-Facing Responsibilities The Clerk of the Appellate Boards serves as the public-facing officer for the Boards and is the primary point of contact between the Boards and external stakeholders, which includes parties and their attorneys. The incumbent responds, in writing, by phone or email, to inquiries on case status, procedural requirements, and case schedules. Ensures compliance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts and other applicable laws and regulations. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be at least 16 years old. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Requires a trial period if the requirement has not been met. Appointment to this position may require a background investigation. You will be required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450. You will be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period if the requirement has not been met. You will be required to submit to Suitability/Fitness for the Trust Determination Process. Qualifications To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); be a member in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the U.S.; and have acquired the amount of experience indicated for the grade level below. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. POSITION TITLES ALONE CANNOT BE USED TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE QUALIFIED. PLEASE LIST DATES IN MM/DD/YYYY FORMAT. THIS IS IMPERATIVE IN DETERMINING WHETHER YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE YEAR OF CREDITABLE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE. DATES WILL NOT BE ASSUMED. GS-15: Applicants must have four (4) years of post-law school legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying experience must be specialized experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the job. Specialized experience is described as the ability to lead subordinate staff; to provide strategic leadership and effectively manage both operational challenges and personnel issues to maintain organizational excellence; and to foster impactful inter-organizational relationships and guide and mentor others. Specialized experience also includes demonstrated knowledge of court procedures and operations; experience utilizing current and emerging case process management technologies like those used by the federal courts and similar federal agencies; proficiency in applying analytical, research, and writing skills; familiarity in evaluating and reviewing case records, filings, and motions; and experience in advising and making recommendations to judges, attorneys, or the equivalent. NOTE: An LL.M. may be substituted for a maximum of one year of experience. Applicants also must supply the following documents below. Bar Certificate: You must submit documentation verifying that you are a member of the Bar in good standing of any State, territory, or possession of the U.S. Transcripts: You must provide a copy of your law school transcript to be considered for this position. Verification of your academic degree(s) is necessary to determine your qualifications or eligibility for this position; therefore, you will be required to submit an official transcript before you are hired. However, you may submit unofficial transcripts during the application phase of the process. Please note that your J.D. or LL.B degree must be conferred before you can begin working. Writing Sample: You must also provide a legal writing sample that is no more than ten (10) pages in length. This work must be your own, not edited by someone else. Education A LL.B or J.D. is a requirement for this position. If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional information Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. Supervisory Financial Disclosure - This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION Click for Telework Eligibility Information Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. 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. 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.