Public Notice for Attorney Advisor (Direct Hire)

Transportation Security Administration; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Transportation Security Administration's Chief Counsel, Litigation Division, seeks an Attorney Advisor to research and analyze legal issues, interpret laws and regulations, and prepare legal documents. You will advise leadership and program offices and may represent the agency in administrative or judicial proceedings as appropriate.

The role involves handling complex litigation matters, coordinating with multiple parties, and supporting policy guidance within federal rules.

Qualifications

• Must have a Law Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing of the highest court of any state, territory, DC, Puerto Rico, or US territory.
• Specialized experience for SV-I: managing litigation caseloads, giving legal advice, coordinating with witnesses and agency personnel.
• Specialized experience for SV-J: developing litigation strategies, reviewing briefs/pleadings, leading projects.
• Specialized experience for SV-K: serving as primary legal authority, directing policy frameworks, mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze legal issues and interpret laws/regulations.
• Prepare legal documents and advise leadership and program offices.
• Represent the agency in administrative or judicial proceedings as appropriate.
• Coordinate with witnesses and agency personnel to build evidence and prepare cases.
• Direct and manage litigation projects and teams.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation management

Policy analysis

Education

J.D. or LL.B. (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Chief Counsel Litigation Division: This Attorney Advisor position is in the Chief Counsel, Litigation Division and is responsible for researching and analyzing legal issues, interpreting laws and regulations, preparing legal documents, advising leadership and program offices, and representing the agency in administrative or judicial proceedings, as appropriate

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long‑term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service‑connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.

Basic requirements for all grade levels:

• Applicants must have a Law Degree (e.g., J.D., LL.B.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.


• 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, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-H or GS-12 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience MUST include all the following:

• Managing a caseload of litigation matters, including preparing, filing, and gathering supporting documentation for court submission; and


• Providing legal advice, policy guidance, and risk assessments to program managers on the complexity of laws, rules, and court precedents; and


• Coordinating with multiple parties (i.e., witnesses, agency personnel) to build evidence, conduct interviews, and prepare cases for hearing or settlement.

To qualify for the SV-J Pay Band (equivalent to GS-14), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-I or GS-13 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience MUST include all the following:

• Developing litigation strategies and strategic solutions to address legal issues affecting major agencies or organizational programs; and


• Reviewing and approving formal legal briefs, pleadings, settlement agreements, and policy documents prior to distribution to senior level leadership; and


• Leading and coordinating projects or litigation teams in resolving difficult or sensitive legal challenges.

To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-J or GS-14 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience MUST include all the following:

• Serving as the primary legal authority and/or lead counsel for directing and litigating cases, arbitrations, or administrative proceedings; and


• Formulating litigation policies and establishing strategic legal frameworks that govern high level program administration; and


• Directing and managing legal professionals (i.e., attorney advisors, junior attorneys, or paralegal staff), which includes managing performance and mentoring staff; and


• Advising and briefing executive level leadership on highly sensitive legal matters, congressional inquiries or settlement decisions.

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.