Attorney-Advisor

Summary About the Position: The Associate General Counsel will assist the General Counsel and DoDEA leadership team worldwide by providing expert legal advice and representation in labor and employment law. This includes advising on federal employment matters, labor-management relations, representing management in collective bargaining, and related litigation. Responsibilities The incumbent provides legal advice, representation, and other support in the full range federal civilian personnel issues, including labor-management relations, disciplinary actions, adverse actions, equal employment opportunity (EEO), reasonable accommodation, and compliance with federal employment laws. Represent management in collective bargaining negotiations with union officials, ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws, regulations, and policies. Provide legal guidance during negotiations and draft, review, or analyze collective bargaining agreements. Represent DoDEA in administrative litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and other forums. Prepare litigation strategies, draft pleadings, and conduct discovery. Draft, review, and provide legal analysis of agency policies, regulations, and directives related to federal labor and employment matters. Assess the impact of proposed legislation or regulations on DoDEA operations. The incumbent provides legal advice, representation, and other support in the full range of federal personnel law topics, including performance management, workforce restructuring, leave and work schedules, and telework policies. Provide training to DoDEA managers and supervisors on labor and employment law matters to promote compliance and reduce the risk of disputes. Assist in the development of strategies for the early resolution of employment disputes and labor relations issues to mitigate litigation risks and promote effective workforce management. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: U.S. Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. VETERANS' PREFERENCE INFORMATION: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' 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/.). To successfully claim veteran's preference, your resume/supplemental data must clearly show your entitlement. Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met in order for applicants to be considered for the position: Education Requirements: An applicant must have possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) AND active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. As indicated below, a law school transcript must be submitted with your application materials. Unofficial copies are acceptable at the time of application, but official copy may be required if selected. Bar membership: Applicant must currently be active member in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. As indicated below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials. Unofficial copy is acceptable at the time of application, but official copy may be required if selected. Experience Requirements: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-14 or equivalent Attorney position must also possess a robust background in labor and employment law, with a particular focus on litigation; demonstrate expertise in representing organizations in federal personnel and employment litigation to include handing cases across various administrative and judicial forums such as Merit System Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), or federal district and appellate courts. Applicant must also 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. Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as a LL.M may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Be advised that effective Jan. 1 2018, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, most civilian employee relocation allowances became taxable. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for the additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income. RITA does not apply to new government employees or employees returning from an overseas assignment for the purpose of separation from Government service. For more information, visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.html. Applicants with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should notify ra@dodea.edu This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.