ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (GENERAL)

Summary This position is in the Office of General Counsel (OGC). The OGC provides legal advice to the Inspector General, senior staff, and others in OIG on the full range of activities within OIG, including inspections, investigations and audits. OGC is responsible for managing OIG's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs. The Counsel to the Inspector General reports to the Inspector General and is independent from the State Department's Legal Adviser and USAGM's General Counsel. Learn more about this agency Duties This position serves as an Attorney-Advisor (General) and provides analysis, research, and guidance to ensure that the OIG has considered the legislative and regulatory requirements and implications applicable to the various activities. The duties of the Attorney Advisor GS-0905-15: Handles all aspects of personnel and employment law matters. Analyzes and provides cogent and concise verbal and written legal counsel, advice, recommendations, and reviews on a variety of issues of law relevant to (1) general Office of Inspector General operations (e.g., HR, IT, Procurement, Appropriations, Ethics, Financial Disclosure, and other areas) and (2) to particular Office of Inspector General work products such as reports of audits, investigations, inspections, special projects and evaluations. Reviews Office of Inspector General audit, evaluation, investigation, inspection and other review reports for legal sufficiency, which includes ensuring that any sensitive information is properly marked and withheld in accordance with the law. Handles litigation; drafts and reviews agreements, subpoenas; provides legal support to criminal and civil investigations, and conducts ethics, independence, and financial disclosure reviews. Advises on, reviews, and responds to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act requests, appeals, and litigation. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. You may be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All employees will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://sss.gov./Home/Registration). Must participate in the direct deposit pay program. You are required to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer. You will be required to complete a Declaration of Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal Employment, at the time requested by agency. Bar Membership: You must 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. Statement of Employment and Financial Interest required prior to appointment. Qualifications All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Must be a graduate of a law school possessing the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) Bar Membership: Attorney positions require current active bar membership. Admission to the bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, or Federal Court is acceptable. Active bar membership is verified prior to appointment. Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney. All applicants must verify completion of this basic requirement by submitting both proof of professional law degree and proof of bar membership within US jurisdiction. Please see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement for additional information. Applicants must have specialized experience with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service, which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience independently handling all aspects of employment law matters. Expertise in a broad range of federal practice legal disciplines, including fiscal/procurement laws, ethics, federal grants or assistance, administrative law, personnel law, criminal law and procedures, and privacy law. Expertise in handling sensitive or highly visible/high level official matters. Expertise in providing clear and concise verbal and written legal guidance, including persuasive memoranda, advisory opinions, and other legal documents. Experience independently handling various aspects of litigation. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position. 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. 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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: NACES - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Additional information This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service. Merit promotion procedures do not apply. 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. 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. Work Life Programs & Benefits - The Office of Inspector General offers many WorkLife programs such Fit Time, Alternative Work Schedules, Situational Telework, Transit Subsidy, Tuition Assistance, Student Loan Repayment programs, Paid Parental Leave, Health Benefits, Life Insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, as well as Vision and Dental 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.