Attorney-Advisor (Labor)

Air National Guard • Arlington, VA

9d

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a senior labor and employment law attorney in the Litigation and Employment Law Division of the Office of the Chief Counsel. The role provides timely labor law research, advice, and counsel on agencywide policy matters to organizational elements within the National Guard Bureau and to state and federal entities, including state National Guards, state Attorneys General, and the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Labor.

The attorney plans and accomplishes diverse legal functions concerning a geographically dispersed workforce of more than 450,000 civilian personnel, National Guard technicians, and National Guard military personnel. The position also serves as the primary legal advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, helping develop and revise National Guard labor policy in response to issues identified in past and pending federal litigation.

The position requires an ABA-accredited law degree and active, good-standing membership in the bar of a U.S. jurisdiction, which must be maintained throughout employment. The attorney must obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance, pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing, and provide a legal writing sample before receiving an offer. The work may involve frequent travel away from the normal duty station on military and commercial aircraft.

Requirements

• Graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school and hold a first professional law degree (LLB or JD).
• At application, provide proof dated within four months of active status and good standing with the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state, commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia; maintain bar membership in at least one jurisdiction throughout employment.
• GS-15 specialized experience: more than three years of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities.
• Obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• Pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing as a Testing Designated Position.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of constitutional and federal law, regulations, and policies relevant to National Guard utilization and operations, including the Federal Management Labor Relations Act, National Guard Technician Act, Federal Tort Claims Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and Tucker Acts.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of federal employment law, labor relations law, military personnel law, and personnel policies and practices of the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, and federal government, including the National Guard Technician Act of 1968 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge and skill in agency-counsel litigation of complex cases in federal courts and administrative bodies, including knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and relevant military regulations.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of the relationships among the National Guard of the 54 states and territories, National Guard Bureau, Department of Defense, military departments, Office of Management and Budget, and Congress.
• Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills and proficiency with modern legal research resources, including Lexis/Nexis and Westlaw.
• Provide a writing sample demonstrating legal analytical skills prior to receiving an offer.
• Frequent travel away from the normal duty station may be required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior labor attorney for the Litigation and Employment Law Division of the Office of the Chief Counsel.
• Provide labor law research, advice, and counsel regarding agencywide policy to National Guard Bureau organizational elements and diverse state and federal entities.
• Serve as a senior employment law attorney responsible for planning and accomplishing legal functions related to a geographically dispersed workforce of more than 450,000 civilian personnel, National Guard technicians, and National Guard military personnel.
• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, on developing and revising National Guard labor policy in response to issues identified in past and pending federal litigation.
• Litigate complex cases in federal courts and before administrative bodies, including the Merit Systems Protection Board, Federal Labor Relations Authority, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Recruitment and/or retention incentives may be used.
• Disabled veteran leave may be available to eligible federal employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree