Job description
Duties
This is a non bargaining unit position.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Available
Telework: Available
Duty Location Status: Selection will be assigned to the closet VA facility in the local commuting area.
Position Description Title/PD#: General Attorney (Veterans)/ PD80675A, PD806751, and PD806752
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Authorized
Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary. There are no special physical demands for this position.
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-14. At the GS-12-14 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-14. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
Major Duties:
- Provide advocacy, advisory and negotiation services for the Torts Law Group of the VA's Office of General Counsel. Primary practice will be investigating administrative tort claims and assisting the U.S. Department of Justice in defending these claims in federal court. Great team environment. Excellent hours and benefits.
- Represent and advise the Department of Veterans Affairs in tort matters (medical malpractice, personal injury and property damage) under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b) and 2671-2680.
- Investigates, conducts settlement analysis and makes complex recommendation to the proper course of action.
- Serves as principal trial attorney and Serves as Special United States Attorney
- Assists in U.S. District Court and appellate courts involving Federal Tort Claims Act.
- Determines potential liability of the U.S. Government and whether the claim should be settled, comprised, or denied and responsibility of negotiating a fair and equitable settlement with claimants and their attorneys.
- Provides contract negotiation services to include advice and litigation.
- Provides opinions and consultation on a wide variety of administrative and legal matters such as labor management relations.
- Determines the legal sufficiency of claims filed thereunder and recommends settlement and payment of such claims.
- Prepares and presents government's cases which can include areas as price and fee agreements, unfair and dishonest acts and practices, unlawful sales or offer of sales, violation of agency regulations or contracts.
- Works with state legislative committees and other interested groups as it relates to application of federal laws and regulations affecting VA beneficiaries in the geographical jurisdiction of the office with a minimum of conflict with state law
- Coordinates implementation of standards of conduct and arrest for crimes at hospitals, domiciliary, cemeteries and other VA reservations. Legal advice is to assure conformity with Constitution and court decisions and assure that all arrested persons receive due process where required.
- Serves as Assistant Regional Counsel or Regional Counsel in the absence of supervisors
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Will be assigned to the closet VA facility in the local commuting area.
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
- Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
- Selectees may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- A complete application package, i.e., Resume, Transcripts, etc., as required by job announcement.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Participation in the Seasonal Influenza Prevention Program for VHA Health Care Personnel (HCP) is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs HCP.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Pre-employment physical examination/evaluation may be required.
Qualifications
Bar Membership Requirements: All attorneys in the GS-0905 series must be active members in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia and must hold a current, unrestricted license to practice law. Employees must maintain their compliance with this requirement. The duties of the position call for appearance in court. The applicant must be a member in good standing of the bar or be eligible for admission to the bar, of the state or territory of the US or the District of Columbia where he/she will serve.
Loss of Good Standing/Bar Membership. Employees must maintain good standing in a bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia while employed as an attorney with VA. Failure to maintain good standing in a bar of a state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia provides grounds for removal and possible termination from employment with the VA.
Applicants may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below.
The applicant's experience and training must demonstrate the applicant can successfully perform the position's duties. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Position Classification Standard for General Attorney, GS-0905 (opm.gov) provides examples of duties performed at each grade level.
Quality of Experience. For each grade, applicants must have one or a combination of the following types of experience in the amounts indicated in the Grade Determination section below:
- Practice of law includes private, state, or Federal practice in any field of law.
- Other legal experience of a responsible nature is experience in any one or a combination of the following performed in a law office, government office, or in the legal department of a business establishment, in the armed forces, or other Federal service: (a) Conducting legal research, analyzing statutes, writing legal opinions; (b) Writing authoritative or advisory legal opinions involving interpretation of state or Federal laws, regulations, and orders, or the drafting of such regulations or orders; or (c) Drafting, analyzing, and other legal activities with respect to bills, regulations, Executive Orders, proclamations, or statutory provisions.
- Where the volume of legal work in one particular subject-matter field (such as administrative law, legislation, guardianship, loans, torts, or any of the several Veterans' benefits, litigations, etc.) requires the appointee to be specifically qualified in that field, this requirement will be identified as a selective factor through job analysis. Such specific qualifications will be documented in the position description.
Superior Law Student Program.
- GS-11 and GS-12 candidates applying under this option are required to furnish certification from the registrar of ranking and other attainments in law school. Candidates who meet the requirements may be eligible for appointment Above the Minimum Entry Rate of the grade under 5 U.S.C.§ 5333 and VA Handbook 5007, Part II, Chapter 3, Paragraph 4.
- Candidates must graduate in the upper one-third of their law class and
- Achieve one of the following accomplishments:
ii. Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
iii. Winning a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team which represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
iv. Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to intermittent or casual participation;
v. Significant summer law-office clerk experience; or
vi. Other equivalent evidence of superior achievement.
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment identified in paragraph 2, the following criteria are the minimum qualifications for non-supervisory positions at each grade level.
GS-11. One year of experience or less in the practice of law as described in Quality of Experience above; OR Meets qualification through the Superior Qualification Program.
GS-12. Possession of a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree OR Possession of a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in a field of law directly pertinent to the work of the position to be filled as evidenced by transcripts and identified as a selective factor in the position description or subsequent position descriptions in a position ladder; AND Two years of progressively responsible experience as described in Quality of Experience above; of which a maximum of one year of the required experience may be acquired prior to admission to the bar, and that demonstrates experience performing similar legal work and responsibilities as described in Nature of Cases or Legal Problems, Type I, in the OPM Position Classification Standard for General Attorney Series, GS-0905 OR Meets qualification through the Superior Qualification Program.
GS-13. Three years of progressively responsible experience as described in Quality of Experience above; of which a maximum of one year of the required experience may be acquired prior to admission to the bar, and that demonstrates experience performing similar work and responsibilities as described in Nature of Cases or Legal Problems, Type II, in the OPM Position Classification Standard for General Attorney Series, GS-0905.
GS-14. Four years of progressively responsible experience as described in Quality of Experience above; of which a maximum of one year of the required experience may be acquired prior to admission to the bar, and that demonstrates experience performing similar work and responsibilities as described in Nature of Cases or Legal Problems, Type III and Level of Responsibility D in the OPM Position Classification Standard for General Attorney Series, GS-0905.
Per Office of Personnel Management General Schedule Qualification Policies, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, human resources director, or official documentation such as SF-52, SF-50 documenting an official detail/assignments, or other comparable documentation). The documentation must indicate whether the employee performed the duties full time or, if part-time, the percentage of times the employee performed the additional duties.
To receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your position, you must provide official documentation of such experience as indicated above.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/alph-ndx.asp.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
Additional information
COVID-19 Pandemic Expanded Telework Program - Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- ITAP or CTAP documentation : REQUIRED if claiming ITAP or CTAP
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
- An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/17/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11857414.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.Agency contact information
VHA National Recruitment Center
Phone
(844)456-5208
Email
VHANationalRecruitmentCenter@va.gov
Address
Office of General Counsel
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
USNext steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- ITAP or CTAP documentation : REQUIRED if claiming ITAP or CTAP
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
- An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
-
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
-
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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