Public Notice for Attorney Advisor (Direct Hire)

Transportation Security Administration•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Attorney Advisor is part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Chief Counsel, Litigation Division. The role researches and analyzes legal issues, interprets laws and regulations, prepares legal documents, advises leadership and program offices, and represents the agency in administrative or judicial proceedings as appropriate. Duties described reflect the full-performance level; employees in lower pay bands perform similar work with more guidance and training and/or on less complex assignments. The position represents TSA in litigation before bodies including the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal courts, and labor arbitration proceedings. It provides legal guidance to TSA personnel and external stakeholders, advises policymakers and managers on legal strategy, and manages litigation through assessment, discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, hearings, and post-hearing actions. The role also adjudicates tort claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act and partners with the Department of Justice on federal district and appellate litigation nationwide. Applicants must meet the applicable pay-band qualifications and legal education and bar-membership requirements. Employment is conditional on meeting applicable pre-employment requirements, including a favorable background investigation and maintaining a Secret clearance. The announcement may be used to fill more than one position.

Requirements

J.D., LL.B., or other law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Submit a law school transcript and a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing; an unofficial transcript is sufficient for application, but an official transcript must be submitted before appointment.
U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Complete a favorable background investigation and obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements.
Meet the specialized experience requirements for the selected pay band. SV-I: one year equivalent to SV-H or GS-12, including managing litigation caseloads and court submissions, advising program managers on legal and policy issues and risks, and coordinating parties to develop evidence and prepare cases for hearing or settlement.
Meet the specialized experience requirements for the selected pay band. SV-J: one year equivalent to SV-I or GS-13, including developing litigation strategies for major agencies or programs, reviewing and approving formal legal documents and policy materials, and leading litigation teams or projects on difficult or sensitive legal challenges.
Meet the specialized experience requirements for the selected pay band. SV-K: one year equivalent to SV-J or GS-14, including serving as lead counsel or primary legal authority, formulating litigation policies and strategic legal frameworks, managing and mentoring legal professionals, and advising executive leadership on sensitive legal matters, congressional inquiries, or settlement decisions.
Submit required education documentation by the vacancy announcement closing date when relying on education to meet qualification requirements.
Current or recent political appointees in specified Executive Branch roles must disclose that status to the Human Resources Office; OPM must authorize employment offers to current or former political appointees.
Meet all qualification requirements by the vacancy announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Represent TSA as primary or secondary counsel in litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal courts, and labor arbitration proceedings.
Provide expert legal guidance to TSA personnel and external stakeholders on complex legal issues affecting TSA operations and workforce matters.
Advise policymakers and managers on legal strategy, precedents, and arguments supporting the agency's position.
Conduct administrative and judicial litigation from initial case assessment through discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, hearings, and post-hearing actions.
Develop litigation strategies and prepare pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery requests and responses, and witness examinations.
Communicate legal advice and advocacy positions clearly, tailoring messaging to the audience and circumstances.
Adjudicate and resolve tort claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act by reviewing claims and supporting evidence, analyzing legal and factual issues, evaluating liability, damages, and potential settlement, and preparing written determinations.
Coordinate tort claim resolution with program offices, claimants, and other appropriate stakeholders.
Partner with the Department of Justice to protect TSA interests and unique equities in federal district and appellate court litigation nationwide.
Support cases involving constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues by providing agency expertise, developing legal positions, coordinating factual support, and assisting with litigation strategy and case management.