This exciting, dynamic position covers the full array of advice and work offered by an agency's office of general counsel because it serves the entirety of a small, independent agency. Work includes in-house litigation services, especially in employment law, advising attorneys throughout OSC, researching novel legal issues, and crafting policies and regulations. OSC consistently ranks in the top 3 in the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS).

Duties

This position is located in OSC's Office of General Counsel (OGC). OGC manages the representation and defense of OSC interests in connection with litigation filed against or involving the agency. OGC participates in the development and implementation of agency policy, regulations, directives, and procedures; runs the agency's ethics program; provides legal advice and support to the Special Counsel as well as other agency management and staff; provides input regarding OSC's legislative activities including congressional testimony and appropriations/budget submissions, as well as providing analysis and recommendations on proposed legislation and regulations relevant to OSC; decides FOIA and Privacy Act appeals; makes the final agency determination on Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claims and Touhy requests ; and monitors agency compliance with various reporting and associated responsibilities relating to agency management and administrative matters. The incumbent of this position will be involved in the full array of OGC activities described above. Major responsibilities include: Developing comprehensive legal strategies for defending OSC in litigation, as well as for representing OSC's interests in litigation affecting OSC. Representing OSC in defensive matters before the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and working with the Department of Justice in defending OSC and representing OSC's interests in litigation at all levels of the federal court system. Providing legal advice and support to OSC management and staff on all issues and in all matters as requested, with an emphasis on matters that may result in complaints, appeals, and other litigation or claims against OSC before judicial and administrative bodies. Providing litigation expertise to attorneys in program units responsible for affirmative litigation in furtherance of OSC's statutory responsibilities. Providing legal and policy advice and support to OSC senior management and staff, including comprehensive research into and development of directives, policies and procedures relating to agency operations. Working with all other OSC units to develop and draft OSC rules and regulations for publication in the Federal Register. Monitoring and assisting with the Paperwork Reduction Act and other statutory and compliance obligations, including drafting information collection statements and monitoring requests for information collection renewals; preparing litigation risk statements for annual financial audit statements; and preparing agency statements in support of compliance with executive orders. Responding to requests for information including subpoenas, requests from other agencies, Touhy requests, and queries in connection with background checks and presidential rank award nominations. Drafting decisions in administrative FOIA appeals. The ideal candidate will possess excellent oral and written communication skills (for both internal and outward-facing work) and knowledge of, and litigation experience in, one or more of the substantive areas OGC handles, including federal personnel law and regulations, the FOIA, the Privacy Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act and Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Title VII, and the Civil Service Reform Act.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the basic education and bar membership requirements: A professional law degree (L.L.B., J.D., L.L.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; and An active membership in good standing in a bar of a state, U.S. Territory, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth or Puerto Rico. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, applicants must meet the qualifications as stated below to qualify: Applicants must have at least 6 years of professional legal experience post bar admission, including at least one year comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-14 level which involves providing legal advice, analysis, research, and work involving litigation skills for complex projects. This experience must include activities such as: 1) drafting discovery, briefs, motions, presentations, and other written material in preparation for trials or administrative hearings; 2) conducting legal research and analyzing complex cases or issues; 3) conducting depositions, arguing motions, making oral presentations to agency leadership, DOJ attorneys, and other stakeholders; and 4) providing expert, specialized advice, and consultation.

Education

Applicants must meet the basic education and bar membership requirements:

• A professional law degree (L.L.B., J.D., L.L.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; and
• An active membership in good standing in a bar of a state, U.S. Territory, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth or Puerto Rico.

Education: You MUST provide transcripts, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award. Your transcript must come from a nationally accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

You must provide translated transcripts.

Contacts

• Address US Office of Special Counsel 1730 M St., NW Suite 218 Washington, DC 20036 US
• Name: OSC Human Capital Office
• Email: [email protected]