SS
Joining the Secret Service, Office of the Chief Counsel allows you to provide legal advice and counsel to, and representation of, the agency in connection with its protective, investigative, and administrative programs/activities. The Office is seeking attorneys in a variety of legal disciplines, with priority on fiscal and appropriations, procurement, personnel and employment, litigation, and operational law enforcement. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
["This is an open continuous announcement. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The first review of applications will occur two weeks after the opening date. Applications received after this cut-off will be reviewed and referred as additional vacancies become available. The selectee will serve as an Attorney-Adviser in the Office of the Chief Counsel. Typical work assignments include: Advising officials, both independently and in collaboration with senior attorneys on regulatory and policy modifications required by new legislation or court decisions. Conducting legal research into problems that involve the interpretation and application of laws and regulations enforced by or affecting the Secret Service. Representing the agency in administrative litigation and supporting Department of Justice attorneys in federal court litigation, by furnishing legal advice, handling discovery matters, witness preparation, and preparing written and oral advocacy for litigation proceedings. Developing legal instruments or formal legal opinions that present new policy or solutions involving interrelated or unrelated fields of law. Drafting, interpreting, or applying legislation, regulations, contracts, orders, or decisions. Apply for this exciting opportunity to support the agency's protective and investigative mission by providing timely, thorough legal guidance for all agency operations, in-service legal training, legal representation in administrative and judicial forums, and on-scene at events and incidents."]
U.S. Citizenship is required. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. If selected for this position, you will be required to: Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page. Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Submit a financial disclosure report. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: A. A first professional law degree (Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.)) obtained from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association at the time the degree was obtained. AND B. Be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. (Note: Supporting documentation must be included with the application package). IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: You qualify for the GS-13 level if you possess one of the following: Two years of specialized professional legal experience, following obtaining first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.), that has equipped the applicant with the particular skills and experience to perform successfully the duties of the position (generally, the experience is in or related to the work of the position to be filled). OR Two years of experience in judicial clerkship(s). You qualify for the GS-14 level if you possess the following: Three years of specialized professional legal experience, following obtaining first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.), that has equipped you with the particular skills and experience to perform successfully the duties of the position (generally, the experience is in or related to the work of the position to be filled) Applicants must have demonstrated writing, editing, and oral communication skills. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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). 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to HRsupport@usss.dhs.gov. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).