Legal Administrative Specialist (Competition Advisement)

Agricultural Marketing Service • Aurora, CO

1d

About The Position

The Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented. The Packers and Stockyards Act (Act) is a competition, trade practice, and financial protection law. Its principal purpose is to maintain effective competition and fair trade practices in livestock, meat, and poultry marketing.

Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting.
• Incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) year.
• Current students who will complete their degree requirements by 12/31/2026 will be considered.
• Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (GS-09) in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors.
• Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Providing recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints. Assisting an attorney with interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents. Performing the foundation for cases as it pertains to legal research, legal analysis. Writing legal memoranda and litigation documents subject to review by a higher graded employee or supervisor
• Transcripts are required.
• Applications will not be considered without this documentation.
• For those graduating this semester by 12/31/2026, you will have to provide proof of conferment prior to entrance on duty.
• If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty.
• A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

• Recent Graduates appointments are intended to last for 1 year.
• Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the USDA Recent Graduates Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service.
• Conversion is not guaranteed.
• Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
• Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location.
• A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
• This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
• If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.
• Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
• Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.
• If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.
• You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.
• To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
• Selection will be at GS-11 with the possibility of conversion to a term or permanent GS-0901-11, with promotion potential to the GS-13 level.
• Conversion eligibility and position is not guaranteed and depends upon the program unit's needs.
• Successfully complete at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program as outlined in the Participant Agreement.
• Demonstrate successful job performance.
• Meet the qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Department attorneys in serving as a legal administrative advisor and in-house legal resource person.
• Prepares memoranda or reports outlining the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and justifying recommendations or conclusions.
• Makes recommendations concerning antitrust problems in the livestock, poultry, and meat industries and provides recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints that may be contemplated.
• Makes judgments and offers research-based opinions about the competitive effects of mergers and acquisitions in terms of the long-range impact of both buyers and sellers to maintain competition and exercise initiative in the affected markets.
• Consults and advises on necessary investigations and researches individual firm records, legal periodicals, and public information to suggest methods to correct problems.
• Recommends the issuance of subpoenas and demand letters when necessary and prepares pre-subpoena demand letters and subpoenas.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree