Summary This position is part of the Office of Hearings and Appeals at the Department of Energy (DOE). This position has promotion potential to the General Attorney, GS-15. At this level, you will perform a broad variety of professional legal work that involves the conduct of administrative hearings, the review and adjudication of administrative appeals, the conduct of mediations and facilitations, and the preparation of rulings and decisions in a wide array of complex legal matters. Responsibilities At the full performance General Attorney, GS-0905-15, you will: Serve as an Administrative Judge who presides over administrative hearings. Draft decisions resolving adjudicatory matters such as requests for evidentiary hearings, petitions for review of agency action, and complaints alleging retaliation for engaging in protected activity, as well as requests for extension of time, discovery, protective orders, and other motions. Analyze evidence, testimony, and legal arguments. Research applicable law and legal precedents and draft decisions for management review. Cases include, (but are not limited to: whistle blower cases under 10 CFR Part 708 alleging improper action against a contractor employee who reports of violation of the law, waste, fraud, mismanagement, or matters of health/safety; security clearance cases under 10 CFR Part 710 concerning whether to deny or revoke a security clearance for a federal or contractor employee; and Human Reliability Program cases under 10 CFR Part 712 ensuring the physical/mental suitability of individuals with access to certain materials, nuclear explosive devices, facilities, and programs. Manage complex or precedential cases in which DOE procedural regulations do not provide for Administrative Judges, including but not limited to, requests and appeals of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act determinations issued by DOE offices. Serve as a mediator regarding disputes between and among agency and contractor employees. Handle complex or precedential special duties relating to office work and will provide mentorship and guidance to and serve as a legal resource for other office attorneys. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: All applicants MUST: Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: GS-12 Qualifications: One year of professional (attorney) legal experience and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work. The educational background should include course work beyond the first professional degree in a field directly related to the work for which he/she is being considered. GS-11 Qualifications: Advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform legal work and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar. The educational background should include course work beyond the first professional degree in a field directly related to the work for which he/she is being considered. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. Education ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree; OR Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree. For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit: A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.; AND You must provide proof of bar or your bar number. 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: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Additional Information The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation. A trial period of up to 2 years for the purpose of assessing the ability of an individual to adequately perform in an attorney position will be established for appointments under these authorities. Previous Federal experience in like positions MAY count toward the completion of this requirement. Your performance appraisal and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other candidates. Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. EEO Policy: https://www.energy.gov/justice/eeo-complaint-process Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://https://www.energy.gov/hc/department-energy-reasonable-accommodation-program Veterans Information: https://https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at AdministrativeInvestigations@hq.doe.gov.
