General Attorney

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the Education and experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD.).

Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Experience required: GS-13: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13 level, applicants must have two or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

OR Graduated from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or obtained and advanced law degree such as Master of Law (LLM) and have one year of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, which commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

NOTICE OF VETERANS' PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney positions in the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and include supporting documentation (e.g.DD-214, "Certificate for Release or Discharge from Active Duty").

Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with a list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.

Time in Grade Requirements: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government you must have completed 1 year at the next lower level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled.

Prepare legal opinions, or other legal instruments, and render advice to clients on matters which require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in order to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests.,Advice regarding national programs is reviewed by supervisor for consistency with agency policy before it is rendered to clients.,Responsible for the preparation or review of extremely complex legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.,Conduct the necessary research or investigations in connection complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.,Function as a trial attorney, support the Department of Justice, and provide advice and litigation representation to the District Commander and senior staff in a variety of forums, and on a variety of legal issues.,Work cohesively with individuals and groups of varied technical and professional backgrounds.