Job Description
Summary
The position serves as a Deputy Counsel to the Inspector General in USDA OIG's Office of Counsel (OC). This position provides an exciting opportunity for a seasoned attorney to function in a generalist environment with a focus on management of USDA OIG's Congressional Affairs, Media Affairs, and governing the processing of requests for disclosure of Office of Inspector General information and records. This position will require supervision of OC staff and involvement in OC management.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
You must be a US Citizen
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
Successful completion of one-year trial period, unless previously served
Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period
Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
Public Financial Disclosure Required (OGE 450)
Relocation expenses are NOT authorized
Qualifications
You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following:
Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) - AND -
Applicants must currently be a member in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience includes analyzing novel or complex legal issues regarding Congressional affairs, Media affairs, and governing the processing of requests for disclosure of Office of Inspector General information and records; and providing concise and persuasive legal analysis or recommendations and planning, organizing, or leading staff in supporting legal review and recommendations.
TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT FOR CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-14 grade level to be considered for the GS-15 grade level. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and education, as defined below. The selecting official may request to waive the one year requirement. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
To meet minimum eligibility requirements for this position, applicants must possess at least a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
You are required to submit a copy of your law degree transcripts prior to the close of this vacancy announcement.
If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient, however if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
An active Bar membership is required.
This position is eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy.
This position may be eligible for a remote work arrangement with supervisor's approval.
Excepted Service Position: This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
Veterans Information: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service;
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 www.opm.gov).
USDA OIG Statement:At the Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, we are dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and aim to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of our nation. We invite applications from individuals of all backgrounds who are dedicated to public service and share our commitment to fostering a more inclusive environment. Explore our Office of Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion page to delve deeper into our commitment to DEIA at OIG.
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Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.