Attorney-Adviser (Labor)

Full Job Description

About the position: Serves as an Attorney-Adviser (Labor) in the DHA Office of General Counsel. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Who May Apply: US Citizens Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position: Skill in identifying legal issues and conducting relevant legal research within Administrative Law, Labor Law, or Health Law.

Skill in administrative hearings practice. Skill in oral and written advocacy. Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.

NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Defense Health Agency considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring.

Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active duty) to their submissions.

Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed.

(SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/).

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled.

Time-in grade may be waived for current federal employees at management's discretion.

The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD).

Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.

Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three months of the date the application is submitted.

If the document has been ordered, but not arrived, you may provide a screenshot of your certificate (clearly showing a time/date within the last 90 days) which validates your active status.

Experience Required for the GS-14: Applicant must have three (3) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the Bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Major Duties:

• Advises leadership on civilian personnel, labor relations, and equal employment law issues, including matters arising from civil service system, employment discrimination and a variety of other labor issues.
• Represents Defense Health Agency as a litigating attorney before the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Service Impasses Panel, administrative fora, and other agencies.
• Provides settlement briefings to officials and negotiates settlements and stipulations with employees and attorneys.
• Prepares and researches legal advice regarding civilian personnel, employment discrimination, labor relations, administrative inquires, and informal, Inspector General, and Equal Employment Opportunity investigations.
• Provides training to Defense Health Agency principals and leaders and the subordinate Military Medical Treatment Facility directors and staffs in labor and employment law.
• Notifies subordinate offices and leadership of changes in law and Federal Regulations.
• Conducts settlement negotiations on behalf of the Defense Health Agencies management with opposing counsel, drafts settlement agreements, coordinates with directors on the meaning and resourcing of settlements.
• Prepares and presents the agency's case in administrative hearings.