Deputy Chief Counsel

Full Job Description

Serves under the Chief Counsel in a Member's Office at the Federal Labor relations Authority (FLRA) as Deputy Chief Counsel.

Responsible for preparing and overseeing decisions in arbitration, representation, unfair labor practice, and negotiability cases under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.

Conducts complex legal analysis, advises on policy issues, and supervises attorneys and staff to ensure high-quality, timely adjudication of labor-management disputes.

Basic Requirements: 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.

For this position, specialized experience includes providing legal advice and support on labor and employment law matters in the federal government or private sector.

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.

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. Major Duties:

The incumbent serves under the general supervision of the Chief Counsel in the Office of the Chairman/Member and functions as the Deputy Chief Counsel.

The position manages a broad portfolio of highly complex and sensitive assignments involving all areas of labor-management disputes arising under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, including arbitration, representation, unfair labor practice (ULP), and negotiability cases.

Key Responsibilities: Functions as Deputy Chief Counsel, overseeing the adjudication and resolution of cases within the Office and supervising Attorney-Advisors.

Assigns, reviews, and edits draft decisions, legal memoranda, and related work products to ensure analytical rigor, legal sufficiency, clarity, and consistency with Authority precedent and the Chairman/Member's adjudicatory philosophy.

Independently prepares draft decisions and other legal documents for the Chairman/Member and Chief Counsel, including complex, sensitive, precedent-setting, or high-impact cases.

Reviews hearing records, briefs, exhibits, and other case materials; conducts extensive legal research; analyzes statutory, regulatory, and case law; and applies precedent to complex factual and legal issues.

Recommends strategic approaches to cases to promote an orderly, consistent body of Authority precedent with minimal supervision.

When requested, reviews draft decisions and other work products prepared by other Members' staffs and Authority components, including the Office of Case Intake and Publication and the Office of the Solicitor, and advises the Chairman/Member and Chief Counsel regarding voting positions.

Performs and supervises fact-development activities, including conducting hearings or post-petition conferences, and ensures proper development of the record.

Assists in developing major policy statements, statutory interpretations, and proposed regulatory revisions affecting the federal labor-management program.

Meets regularly with the Chairman/Member and Chief Counsel to plan workflow, prioritize assignments, and manage case processing from initial review through final disposition.

Provides ongoing guidance, mentoring, and performance feedback to Attorney-Advisors; prepares performance-appraisal narratives and recommends performance ratings.

Assists with administrative management of the Office, including resource allocation, strategic planning, and implementation of case-processing goals and performance measures.

Represents the Chairman/Member or Chief Counsel in meetings and internal management discussions, and acts on behalf of the Chief Counsel when delegated.

Plans and executes special projects, including assignments involving sensitive information or confidential personnel matters.

This position requires advanced legal expertise, exceptional analytical and writing skills, sound judgment, and strong leadership and managerial capabilities.