Summary The VCF is administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General, with operational assistance provided by the Civil Division Torts Branch, and provides compensation for physical harm or death caused by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, or the debris removal efforts in the immediate aftermath. The VCF compensates individuals (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who were present at one of the three crash sites or in the VCF New York City Exposure Zone. Responsibilities The Managing Attorney is responsible for implementing the strategic direction and administrative functioning of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Torts Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice. The incumbent reports to, and functions as, the principal legal and administrative advisor to the VCF Special Master. The duties are heavily focused on organizational management, advising the Special Master on the development and implementation of strategic priorities and program-wide improvements, as well as high level problem solving. The incumbent handles a wide array of difficult and complex legal and other issues pertaining to the administration of a victim compensation program, and as such must be able to work with minimal supervision and superior executive/administrative skills. As a Attorney Advisor (Managing Attorney), GS-0905-15, your typical work assignments may include the following: Leading strategic initiatives on behalf of the Special Master, integrating legal, operational, policy and organizational priorities in alignment with the Special Master's objectives and directives; Establishing performance measures in alignment with HRD and other OPM directives, evaluating organizational effectiveness, and recommending corrective actions; Managing diverse and high-priority projects or tasks assigned directly by the Special Master; Serving as General Counsel and Advisor. Providing authoritative counsel to the Special Master on highly sensitive policy, operational, or resource-allocation matters. Provides legal advice/input on statutory, legal, and regulatory issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. You must have a minimum of 4 years post-JD legal experience to qualify for the GS-15. Examples of qualifying experience described above include: a broad background of experience and knowledge in legal issues, organizational performance, and administrative/supervisory management of attorneys. Experience solving complex organizational challenges in collaboration with a leadership team; developing and implementing policies, procedures, systems, and/or controls to support program/project implementation. Experience leading implementation of new policies and procedures. Ability to work effectively with legal and non-legal staff. Excellent organizational and collaboration skills. Preferred qualifications: Applicants should reflect excellent analytical, verbal, presentation, and writing skills, working with the highest degree of independence and initiative. This role requires a high level of discretion and professionalism. Background in compensation programs, victim services, trauma-informed practices, and organizational/technological system transformation projects is a plus. Candidates with at least 7 years of experience preferred. Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; exhibit good judgment, and have experience in trial work. Judicial clerkship experience is desirable. Trial Period Statement As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov. OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional Information Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans' preference (VP), you should indicate the @type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific @type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the @types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdf Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: www.benderconsult.com. 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
