Attorney Advisor

United States Agency for Global Media; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Agency for Global Media is seeking an Attorney Advisor to provide expert legal guidance on investigations, policy interpretation, and regulatory compliance. You will review contracts and interagency agreements for legal sufficiency and ensure adherence to governing laws. The role requires substantial post-J.D.

experience, active bar membership, and expertise in FOIA and Privacy Act programs. Candidates should be prepared for a rigorous federal hiring process and a GS-15 level

Qualifications

• Four (4) or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, at least one year at GS-14 level or higher.
• Active bar membership required.
• Experience with FOIA and Privacy Act programs is expected.

Responsibilities

• Provides expert legal advice to senior agency officials and employees on interpretation and application of laws, rules, and regulations concerning investigations.
• Researches and interprets policies, procedures, regulations, and statutes.
• Reviews proposed contracts, grants, and interagency agreements for legality and sufficiency.

Skills

Legal analysis

Policy interpretation

Education

J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Duties

As an Attorney Advisor, you will be responsible for duties to include, but are not limited to:

• Provides expert advice to senior agency officials, and employees at all levels on interpretation and application of laws, rules, and regulations concerning investigations including congressional oversight investigations, OIG investigations, or related matters.
• Research and interpret policies, procedures, regulations, and statutes relating to the provisions of the Privacy Act and other relevant Acts, court decisions and administrative rulings.
• Reviews proposed contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, delivery orders, and interagency agreements prior to their final execution, certifying to the General Counsel that they conform to law and regulation and are legally sufficient.
• Develops policies and establishes procedures concerning implementation of USAGM policy and procedural guidance for the programs and establishes standards and procedures designed to assure compliance with pertinent statutory requirements and Agency directives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S Citizen or U.S. National.
• This is a sensitive or national security position. If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-86.
• Suitability Determination: If selected, you will be subject to a background investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The background investigation may include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
• This position is not covered by a Union Agreement.
• New appointees to the Excepted Service must serve a two-year trial period.
• If selected for this vacancy, you will be required to file the OGE Form 450 (Confidential Financial Disclosure Report).
• The full performance grade level for this position is GS-15
• If you are a male applicant who is born after 12/31/59, you are required to be registered for the Selective Service.
• Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application.
• Must provide proof of active bar membership.
• Applicants must complete online questionnaire.
• This position is under review for inclusion in Schedule Policy Career.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-15, you should have four (4) or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, at least one (1) of which were specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level or higher and hold an active bar membership.

Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the GS-14 or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and includes all of the following:

• The statutory requirements and guidelines governing Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act programs.
• Experience in drafting or revising organizational policies, based upon continuing review of case law, appropriate legislation, and regulatory implementation, to minimize organizational legal risk.

Education

Attorney positions do have an education requirement. Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D. For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page . If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions .

Applicant cannot substitute education for experience at the GS-15levels, although educational achievement may be considered when rating applicants, as with any attorney position.

Additional Information

THIS VACANCY HAS BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND THE CLOSING DATE

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by closing date of the announcement to be considered.

• If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. For Military Selective Service Act requirement information, please visit Selective Service
• Your application to this vacancy announcement will only allow consideration for this announcement. We cannot electronically or manually move your application to corresponding announcements, if applicable.
• Additional vacancies not reflected in the announcement that occur after the opening date of the vacancy announcement for position(s) identical (same grade, series and title) to the original vacancy may be filled from the selection certificate during the validity of the certificate.
• Budgetary conditions may delay or otherwise affect filling this vacancy. However, all interested candidates should apply now.

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.

• 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 window Learn 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once your application package has been received, a review of your qualifications will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.

Competencies

Legal, Government and Jurisprudence

Possession of competencies must be addressed in a resume and/or cover letter. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You will be placed in one of three rating categories:

• Qualified Category-Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position, a numeric rating below 79.
• Well Qualified Category-Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, a numeric rating of 80-89.
• Best Qualified Category-Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, a numeric rating of 90 and above.

Application of Veterans' Preference

Category Rating does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be placed at the top of the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). Preference eligibles who do not have a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be assigned to the appropriate quality category based upon the job-related assessment and will be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within the appropriate quality category.

Fair Chance Act

Under the Fair Chance Act , agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to [e-mail] , subject line: Fair Chance Act.