Summary Social Security touches the lives of millions, providing vital services and a social safety net through retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Join our talented and dedicated attorney team supporting these services. L&P is a modern public service law office with a highly skilled, engaged workforce dedicated to protecting SSA's legal interests. We offer meaningful, challenging legal work in a professional, team-oriented, and flexible environment. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a General Attorney within Law and Policy (LP), providing legal services to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The incumbent advises other Law and Policy (LP) attorneys, Supervisory Attorneys, Senior Supervisory Counsel (SSC) and Executive Counsel (EC) on unique, critical, and sensitive matters... (Cont'd) involving the individual's areas of responsibility, which may include program, non-program or personnel matters. The incumbent provides legal counsel and advice, may litigate matters in administrative tribunals and federal courts, and acts in cooperation with the Department of Justice, as appropriate, in handling a wide variety of Social Security matters. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Attorneys joining PFD Law will have significant responsibility for their own caseloads. Attorneys should have demonstrated strong analytical, research, and writing skills, as well as sound oral advocacy skills to represent SSA's interests. Attorneys also must have the ability to quickly form positive relationships with internal clients and external partners. Disclosure Law attorneys also may have the opportunity to work with the Department of Justice in representing SSA in Federal district and appellate courts. 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. Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. 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. SSA has discretion to determine what grade level and salary may be offered. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12: applicants must possess 2 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney handling all aspects of Federal privacy and disclosure law. One year of this experience must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. To qualify for the GS-13: applicants must possess 3 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least 2 years handling all aspects of Federal privacy and disclosure law. One year of this experience must be equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. To qualify for the GS-14: applicants must possess 4 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least 2 years handling all aspects of Federal privacy and disclosure law. One year of this experience must be equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Please note: your resume must specifically document your experience as a Disclosure Law attorney providing legal guidance on a wide variety of privacy and disclosure law issues, including legal advice and guidance on the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, data exchange agreements, social media, records retention, eGovernment, and support related Federal court litigation. Applicants MUST meet all eligibility and qualification requirements on or before the closing date of the announcement to be considered for the position. Education Submit a copy of your law school transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and degree award date. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. Self-prepared transcripts will not be accepted. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Additional Information Base Salary: GS-12 $ 76,463 -$ 99,404 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-13 $90,925 -$118,204 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-14 $107,446 - $139,684 PLUS LOCALITY PAY For information on locality pay rates please visit: OPM 2026 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables Other Information: Occasional overnight travel is required. There are 9 locations listed but only 2 total vacancies available. The applicant must relocate to the selected city or be willing to commute. Relocation expenses will not be paid. This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is a permanent, excepted service position that is being filled on a full-time basis. Flextime and/or alternate work schedules may be available. As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Veterans who are preference-eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service may apply. This includes veterans who were separated a few days before the full 3-year period. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.
