General Attorney

Department of Energy Headquarters • Washington, DC

2d

About The Position

This General Attorney position is part of the Department of Energy’s Office of Hearings and Appeals. At the GS-12 level, the attorney performs professional legal work involving administrative hearings, review and adjudication of administrative appeals, mediation and facilitation, and preparation of rulings and decisions in complex legal matters. The position has promotion potential to General Attorney, GS-15.

The attorney assists Administrative Judges, analyzes evidence and legal arguments, researches applicable law and precedents, and drafts decisions for management review. Matters may include whistleblower complaints, security-clearance cases, Human Reliability Program cases, and appeals of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act determinations. The attorney may also manage complex or precedential matters where DOE procedural regulations do not provide for Administrative Judges, mediate disputes between agency and contractor employees, and undertake special office duties. The position includes mentoring and providing legal guidance to other office attorneys.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, hold a qualifying law degree from an ABA-accredited law school, and be an active member in good standing of a qualifying U.S. bar. The selected candidate must obtain and maintain a Q security clearance. Occasional travel may be required. The position is subject to applicant and random drug testing, and may require a trial period of up to two years. Workplace flexibility, potentially including remote work, telework, or flexible scheduling, may be available by request under DOE policy.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full course of study at an ABA-accredited law school and a J.D. or LL.B. degree.
• Current, active membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; bar membership must be maintained while employed as a DOE attorney.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service, meeting at least two of the stated specialized-experience criteria: conducting complex legal research; drafting comprehensive legal documents; providing independent legal advice and guidance; or handling contested proceedings or complex transaction reviews.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Obtain and maintain a Q security clearance.
• Submit proof of bar membership or bar number and law school transcripts; an official transcript is required if selected.
• Submit a Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE-450) for GS-13 and above.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements if a male applicant born after December 31, 1959.
• If selected, undergo any required suitability or fitness determination and background investigation.
• The position is subject to applicant testing and random drug testing.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Administrative Judges who preside over administrative hearings.
• Draft decisions resolving adjudicatory matters, including requests for evidentiary hearings, petitions for review of agency action, retaliation complaints, and motions concerning extensions of time, discovery, and protective orders.
• Analyze evidence, testimony, and legal arguments.
• Research applicable law and legal precedents and draft decisions for management review.
• Manage complex or precedential cases for which DOE procedural regulations do not provide for Administrative Judges, including appeals of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act determinations.
• Serve as a mediator in disputes between and among agency and contractor employees.
• Handle complex or precedential special duties relating to office work.
• Mentor and provide guidance to, and serve as a legal resource for, other office attorneys.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and available funding.

What This Job Offers

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