General Attorney

Full Job Description

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of Law & Policy (L&P) seeks attorneys to work directly in U.S.

Attorney's Offices (USAO) as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSA).

L&P criminal fraud attorneys investigate and prosecute criminal fraud cases that undermine SSA and other government benefits programs, are responsible for all stages of the criminal prosecution, and collaborate with SSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and other law enforcement agencies.

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.

Candidates should have a strong desire to serve the public; have excellent research, writing and communication skills; and have strong litigation experience or aptitude.

We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, qualities, and experiences to apply. Applicants must hold a law degree from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association.

Applicants must be a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants must provide one of the following to show that they are a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

An original or copy of a Certificate of Good Standing from the clerk of the highest court (e.g., Supreme Court) of the state having authority over admission to practice law in the jurisdiction where the applicant is admitted; OR An original or copy of a Certificate of Good Standing from the State Bar Association of the state/jurisdiction where the applicant is admitted; OR A copy of a bar membership card or a screenshot from a state bar website with a valid date that shows a current bar membership.

An example of #1 or #2 would be the certificate of admission an applicant received upon his/her swearing-in ceremony from the clerk of the highest court of the state having authority over admission to practice law in the jurisdiction where admitted, or from the State Bar Association of the state where admitted.

For purposes of applying, we only require proof that an applicant is a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Once selected for the position, an applicant must provide proof of an ACTIVE bar membership before he/she can enter on duty.

Holding an ACTIVE bar membership is a continuing requirement of the position. You can provide #3 above both as proof of membership in good standing, and as proof of an ACTIVE bar membership.

Applicants MUST meet all eligibility requirements on or before the closing date of the announcement to be considered for the position.

SSA has discretion to determine what grade level and salary may be offered.

For GS-13: Requires 3 years of professional legal experience working as a licensed attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

For GS-14: Requires 4 years of professional legal experience working as a licensed attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.

Applicants MUST meet all eligibility requirements on or before the closing date of the announcement to be considered for the position.

Major Duties:

• Social Security touches the lives of millions, providing vital services and a social safety net through retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Join the talented and dedicated attorney team supporting these services.
• L & P is a modern public service law office with a highly skilled and engaged workforce dedicated to protecting SSA's legal interests. We strategically shape a large national workload through effective collaboration and coordination.
• We offer the opportunity to handle meaningful and challenging legal work in a professional, team-oriented, and flexible work environment.
• Sworn in as SAUSAs, SSA criminal fraud attorneys investigate and prosecute criminal fraud cases. They are assigned to, and work in, a USAO. They work closely with the OIG and other law enforcement agencies.
• Like other federal prosecutors, L & P's SAUSAs work under USAO management supervision and are responsible for all stages of the criminal case,
• (cont'd) including grand jury proceedings; indictments; motion practice; plea negotiations and hearings; jury trials; and sentencing hearings.
• Attorneys have significant responsibility for their own caseloads, but also receive intensive mentoring, training and support through L & P and the USAO.
• Candidates should have a strong desire to serve the public; have excellent research, writing and communication skills; and have strong litigation experience or aptitude.
• We encourage candidates with varied backgrounds, qualities, and experiences to apply.