Attorney (Alternative Dispute Resolution)

Office of Inspector General•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

This position is located in the DoW Office of Inspector General (DoW OIG), Deputy Inspector General for Administrative Investigations (DIG-AI), Whistleblower Reprisal Investigations (WRI) Directorate. The incumbent serves as a mediator and expert on whistleblower reprisal complaints suitable for resolution under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Acts of 1990 and 1996 and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998. The attorney reviews and evaluates complaints with supervisors and WRI management to determine suitability for ADR, serves as a neutral professional in resolving disputes, and advises principal parties on preparing for and conducting ADR processes. The role also includes obtaining information from parties, guiding them through the ADR process, advising on or preparing legally supportable resolution agreements, and helping design and implement training for agency attorneys, investigative staff, and management. This is an Excepted Service position requiring U.S. citizenship, an active bar membership in good standing, a qualifying law degree, specialized legal and ADR experience, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. The incumbent is subject to applicable drug-testing requirements and must adhere to DoD Standards of Conduct.

Requirements

Possess a J.D., LL.B., or LL.M. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia, and be permitted to practice law.
Have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including experience applying mediation principles and drafting legally supportable settlement agreements under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Acts of 1990 and 1996 and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998.
Have at least three years of specialized legal experience as an attorney in federal criminal, civil, or administrative law, demonstrating the ability to perform GS-0905-13 Attorney duties.
Demonstrate knowledge and experience with whistleblower reprisal statutes, reviewing and evaluating complaints, prioritizing workloads, and developing training.
Be a U.S. citizen.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
Submit to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use before appointment and be subject to random drug testing during service, subject to the stated exception for certain current DoW civilian employees.
Serve a two-year probationary period if a qualifying probationary period with the Federal government in a similar position has not previously been completed.
Meet all qualifications and time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
Federal employees currently in the Competitive Service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave it upon accepting employment in the Excepted Service.
Obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.
Adhere to DoD Standards of Conduct.
Complete financial disclosure (OGE-450) if required.
No education may substitute for experience at this level.

Nice To Haves

Veterans' preference eligibility is considered a positive factor for attorney hiring.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate whistleblower reprisal complaints with a supervisor and WRI management to determine whether they are appropriate for alternative dispute resolution.
Serve as a neutral professional under applicable confidentiality provisions in efforts to resolve disputed matters.
Advise principal parties on the preparation and conduct of ADR processes.
Initiate contact with principal parties, obtain information pertinent to disputed issues, and guide parties through the ADR process.
Advise on or prepare legally supportable resolution agreements that fully resolve open complaints.
Participate in designing and implementing training so agency attorneys, investigative staff, and management can effectively use ADR processes and retain neutral professionals.