Attorney Adviser (General)

Summary This position is located in the Small Business Administration, Office of Hearings and Appeals in Washington, DC. This position plays a key role by providing expert legal assistance to the Administrator and Agency personnel and is responsible for advising on questions of law or administrative policy involving ethics. Learn more about this agency Duties Provides advice and assistance to the AA/HA, the Administrative Law Judge, and OHA's Administrative Judges on questions of law in accordance with relevant statutes, regulations, policy guidance, and legal precedent. Performs independent legal analysis and research and prepares memoranda for presentation to the AA/HA or an individual Judge as the case requires. Attends formal hearings held by the OHA Judges on the appeal, claim or complaint in the issue; participates in conference calls including the lawyers and parties, with participation by the Judge; Analyzes pleadings, testimony, exhibits, hearing records and briefs of counsel in connection with determinations on the merits of cases; makes recommendations to the Judges concerning the allegations, legal arguments, contested and u n con tested the appraisal of evidence and the inferences to be drawn from the evidence; Renders written analyses for proposed orders and decisions addressing factual and legal issues involved in the case; Answers/Coordinates inquires and correspondence from parties and counsel involved in pending cases and replies to general requests for information from practitioners and others; assists in docket management and compiles digests of OHA decisions on an annual basis, or more frequently as assigned. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen You must successfully complete a background investigation. You may be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Qualifications Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction). Must provide a certificate of good standing or Bar card/license. GS-13: Must three (3) or more years of professional legal experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector in all of the following: Providing authoritative legal advice concerning SBA procurement and contracting law, involving complex and difficult legal problems arising from government contracts; Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with both professionals and nonprofessionals; Interpreting the law and applying it to legally complex and factually complex situation and the exercise of legal judgment; Advise senior leadership, counsel and other agency officials on sensitive legal issues. Proficiency in legal research and familiarity with legal databases and other resources used to perform government contracting legal research. GS-14: Must have four (4) or more years of professional legal experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector in all of the following: Rendering authoritative written and legal opinions and products involving extremely complex and difficult legal problems arising from SBA contracts; Reviewing all legal documents (e.g. agency contractual instruments, pleadings, discovery, and other non-litigation related legal documents) for legal sufficiency and protection of the government's interest; Knowledge of applicable federal procurement statutes related to SBA contracting requirements, regulations, case law, and Executive Orders and agency policy guidance applicable to government contracting, privatization, ethics, and acquisition; Proficiency in legal research methods, including familiarity with on-line legal databases and other agency resources. Interpreting the law and applying it to specific situations and exercise of legal judgment; Communicate authoritative oral legal advice concerning the various stages of contracting, acquisition and procurement appeals. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's Qualifications web site: General Attorney Series - 0905 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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 04/23/2026. Education Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction). Education may not be substituted for experience for this position. Additional information Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire Career and InterAgency Career Transition Assistance Programs: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is a program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job in their current agency (intra-agency, i.e. SBA employees only). Inter-Agency Career Transition Assistance (ICTAP) is a program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (inter-agency; i.e. not applying to their current or former agency). You are eligible for CTAP/ICTAP if: 1. You are a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee meaning you have received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF). 2. Your agency, or the agency to which you are applying, is accepting applications from within or outside of the permanent workforce. 3. The position to which you are applying MUST BE in the Local Commuting Area of the position of record from which you are being displaced. 4. You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job for which you are applying. This includes being rated as well-qualified for the position (score of 85 or better based on your responses to the competencies and associated questions listed within the assessment). Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For additional information visit www.sss.gov. Consistent with work requirements and current SBA Policy, and all applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreement with AFGE the SBA offers employees opportunities to perform work at an alternative location (e.g. home). Telework may be available. For information on Telework visit: http://www.telework.gov/ Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement if additional vacancies occur within 180 days of the date the certificates were issued. 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. 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.