General Attorney
Job Location:
Lemont, IL - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The Office of Science Office of Chief Counsel seeks a general attorney to represent assigned site offices including the Oak Ridge Site Office as principal attorney advising in numerous legal aspects such as procurements ethics and administrative matters (including EEOC MSPB OHA and OSC cases).
As a full performance General Attorney you will:
- Provide Legal and Policy Counsel: Deliver authoritative legal analyses formal opinions and risk assessments to agency leadership on complex sensitive and high-impact program matters statutory authorities and policies.
- Represent the Agency with External and Internal Stakeholders: Serve as a legal representative and liaison in negotiations task forces and high-level meetings with other federal agencies Congress state/local entities foreign governments and industry.
- Conduct In-Depth Legal Research and Analysis: Perform complex legal research using professional databases to develop sound legal solutions where precedent caselaw or agency policies are ambiguous or undefined.
- Review Legislation Rulemaking and Regulations: Analyze and draft comments on proposed federal legislation administrative rules and agency directives to protect and advance statutory missions and interests.
- Manage Administrative Litigation Procurement and significant real estate matters; draft legal briefs and pleadings for hearings lead administrative litigation (e.g. EEOC MSPB) review major contracts/grants for legal sufficiency and advise on federal personnel ethics and information-access laws (such as FOIA and Privacy).
- Advise on procurements including complex Management and Operating (M&O) and Facility contracts and subcontracts.
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See .
- If selected your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination as determined by a completed background investigation.
- If selected you may be required to complete a two year trial period.
- The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements up to a Top Secret DOE Q clearance.
- GS-12 and above are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement OGE-450 Executive Branch Personnel Confidential
- If selected you must self-identify if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A Schedule C or non-career SES political appointee as OPM approval is required prior to finalizing your selection.
- Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State District of Columbia territory of the United States or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with DOE.
- This position is NOT included in a Bargaining Agreement.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
All applicants MUST:
- Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
- Must be a current active member in good standing of the bar of a state territory of the United States District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
GS-12 Qualifications:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidates online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 1 of 2 of the following:
- Legal training and experience in handling administrative litigation cases and related issues.
- Drafting legal documents such as legal memoranda briefs motions pleadings advisory opinions or regulatory comments clearly synthesizing facts applicable law and conclusions.
GS-13 Qualifications:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidates online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following:
- Conducting complex legal research by analyzing federal or state statutes regulations court decisions and administrative precedents to resolve complicated contested or novel legal and factual questions.
- Drafting comprehensive legal documents such as formal legal opinions memoranda pleadings motions or settlement agreements that present well-reasoned analyses and actionable conclusions.
- Providing independent legal advice and guidance to management program clients or corporate officials on the interpretation and practical application of laws administrative procedures and governing regulations.
GS-14 Qualifications:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidates online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:
- Handling contested proceedings or transaction reviews such as representing a client or organization in administrative hearings civil proceedings or alternative dispute resolution (ADR); participating in witness examination and case preparation; or reviewing and negotiating complex contracts permits or regulatory filings for legal sufficiency.
- Drafting comprehensive legal documents such as formal legal opinions memoranda pleadings motions or settlement agreements that present well-reasoned analyses and actionable conclusions.
- Providing independent legal advice and guidance to management program clients or corporate officials on the interpretation and practical application of laws administrative procedures and governing regulations.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
Attorney positions do have an education requirement.
ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree; OR
- Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.
For positions with an education requirement you MUST submit:
- A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.; AND
- You must provide proof of bar or your bar number.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information visit: Department of Education
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- Your position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include remote work or telework options and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the DOE Workplace Flexibilities policy.
- New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
- If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more order to be considered under the ICTAP program your application must score within the pre-established well qualified category as stated in the Qualifications section.
- More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
- Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
- A trial period of up to 2 years for the purpose of assessing the ability of an individual to adequately perform in an attorney position will be established for appointments under these authorities. Previous Federal experience in like positions MAY count toward the completion of this requirement.
- Your performance appraisal and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other candidates.
- Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available.
- EEO Policy: or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
- Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Information: https:// Service Registration: Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicants criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at .
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.
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 Experience:
IC
