Attorney-Advisor (General)

Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Legal Counsel Division (LCD). The primary purpose of this position is to advise the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) on information and privacy law issues, represent CRCL in litigation relating to federal information disclosure/privacy law, and provide legal support to CRCL in the exercise of its authorities. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As an Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-13/14/15, your typical work assignments may include: Representing the Department in litigation relating to federal information disclosure/privacy law (e.g., FOIA, Privacy Act), including being the primary attorney responsible for handling cases, to include drafting answers, declarations, motions, and negotiating settlements, in coordination with the Department of Justice. Providing legal support, including oral and written legal advice, to CRCL and other DHS leadership and staff on federal information disclosure and privacy law issues, including privacy compliance documentation, privacy policy and oversight, and general FOIA advice with respect to issues that relate to CRCL activities. Contributing to the formulation of CRCL processes for information disclosure and privacy issues. Reviewing and providing legal advice on annual and semi-annual reports regarding the activities of CRCL. Advising CRCL leadership and staff on legal issues relating to CRCL investigations and protection of civil rights and civil liberties in the Department's programs and activities. Other tasks as necessary to carry out the mission of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the General Counsel. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic Requirements: GS-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship. GS-14 and GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. Specialized Experience: The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application. You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal government. Specialized experience is experience providing legal advice and support on matters related to privacy and information disclosure law, which is preferred, but not required. Candidates without experience in privacy and information disclosure law should have experience in preparing complex legal memoranda and briefs and the demonstrated ability to quickly learn a new area of the law. All candidates must have experience in providing accurate, thorough, and well written legal advice on matters of first impression while under considerable time pressure. Service as a federal judicial clerk is preferred but not required. Applicants should have 3 or more years of relevant post-JD experience. The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) supports the Department's mission to secure the nation while preserving individual liberty, fairness, and equality under the law. CRCL builds in civil rights and civil liberties practices into all of the Department's activities by: Ensuring that the Department complies with Constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and other requirements relating to civil rights and civil liberties by assessing the impact of DHS policies and activities and issuing reports. Providing policy advice and training. Reviewing and investigating allegations of civil rights and civil liberties violations involving DHS policies, activities, and personnel. Leading the Department's equal employment opportunity program and promoting merit system principles. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Education Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position. 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: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. Additional Information The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. This position may be filled at the GS-13, GS-14 or GS-15 grade level. If selection is made at the GS-13 or GS-14 level, promotion to the next higher level may occur without further competition. You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Top Secret/SCI clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. This is a permanent appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period, unless already completed. Upon successful completion of the required trial period, this position will be permanent. This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. 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.