[blindlaw] Homeland Security attorney-advisor

[Noel Nightingale]

>From www.usajobs.opm.gov:

Department: Department Of Homeland Security

Agency: DHS Headquarters

Job Announcement Number:
DHSHQYR06-1250

Back to Search Results

Vacancy Announcement Tab

Back to Search Results


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Headquarters

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT # DHSHQYR06-1250

Attorney-Advisor
GS-0905-13/14/15



1. WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION? 

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC),
Science &
Technology Division, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The General
Counsel,
who is appointed by the President and with the advice and consent of the
Senate,
is the Department's chief legal officer and principal legal advisor to
the
Secretary of Homeland Security. The General Counsel has final authority
and
responsibility for legal policy determinations within the Department and
its
components. It is anticipated that the position will be filled by a
highly
experienced attorney at the GS-14 or GS-15 levels; however, extremely
qualified
attorneys at the GS-13 level are also encouraged to apply.

The incumbent of this position will directly support the mission of the
Office of
SAFETY Act Implementation (OSAI). The SAFETY Act is working to provide
critical
incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism
technologies by
providing liability protections for sellers of qualified anti-terrorism
technologies. The incumbent serves as the principal attorney supporting
OSAI and
provides senior legal advisory services for the OSAI's professional
staff. The
OSAI is responsible for the implementation of the SAFETY Act
implementing
regulations. OSAI is also required to maintain the confidentiality and
protection
of proprietary data and intellectual property provided by applicants.

Duties include providing oral and written advice and/or legal review of
the
following for the OSAI: pre-application determinations, application
completeness
determinations, transmittal memoranda, designation and certification
application
reccommendations (and legal sufficiency thereof), technology definitions
and
audit of technical basis of decision, insurance determinations and
interpretation
of insurance policies, insurance certification reviews, requests for
information
from the applicants and revisions to applicant insurance requirements
and annual
insurance certification.

Other duties include preparing and responding to Congressional
correspondence and
responding to inquiries from applicants and their legal counsel;
supporting
community outreach efforts of the SAFETY Act (i.e. presentations,
speeches,
etc.); liaising with contracting officers with Federal, state, and local
governments; performing legal analysis and research; participating as
necessary
in meetings, conferences, and consultations; and preparing memoranda and
written
opinions.


2. WHERE IS THE JOB?

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Secretary and Executive Management
Office of the General Counsel
Washington, DC


3. WHO MAY APPLY?

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. citizens.


4. HOW LONG IS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN?

May 31, 2006 through June 14, 2006


5. WHO MAY I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?

Debbie Gay, 202-282-8885


6. WHAT IS THE COMPENSATION?

The salary range(s) for this position is/are:

GS-13: $77,353 to $100,554 per annum
GS-14: $91,407 to $118,828 per annum
GS-15: $107,521 to $139,774 per annum


7. WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION?

Applicant must be a graduate of a school of law accredited by the
American Bar
Association and an active member in good standing of the bar of a state,
territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the
Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico.

Applicant should have at least four years of experience as a practicing
attorney.

Applicants with less than eight years of practice experience must submit
a law
school transcript and grade point average or class ranking with the
application
materials.

Applicant must have the ability to evaluate the factual and legal issues
involved
in a matter, develop a sound legal approach, conduct necessary research,
using
available legal research software, and develop a final work product
within the
required deadlines. Applicant must also have sufficient technical
ability to
review highly technical applications for SAFETY Act protections and must
be able
to produce legal documents which conform to the statutory requirements
as well as
reflect a sound understanding of the engineering and other properties of
the
technology which is being considered for protections.

Applicant must possess the ability to effectively communicate orally,
including
clearly explaining legal issues and principles, counseling clients, and
negotiating with legal professionals and members of the general public
to resolve
disputes. Applicant must possess the ability to communicate in writing,
including
communicating in a clear and concise manner on technical and legal
issues with
people of various backgrounds.

On request, the applicant should be prepared to submit a writing sample.


8. HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE EVALUATED?

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

Qualified applicants will be rated by comparing each candidate's
qualifications
to the skills and experience pertinent to the position to be filled.
Experience,
education, training, awards, and performance will be considered. The
following
factors are of particular importance to the position to be filled, and
applicants
shall provide specific detailed information in these areas as part of
their
application. These areas may be addressed in a document separate from
the resume
or an OF-612, if desired.

List of 4 items
1. Demonstrated ability to conduct and direct complex legal research,
provide sound legal analysis, and present the results in a clear,
precise, and
persuasive manner, both in writing and verbally. Such analyses will
often involve
highly complex legal issues concerning technology and technical
applications.

2. Knowledge of and experience in providing legal guidance regarding
infomration disclosure laws, ethics and conflict of interest, product
liability
law and product liability litigation, insurance law, corporate law, and
administrative law.

3. General experience in claims and insurance valuation. Specific
experience in intrepreting insurance policies of corporations and
drafting legal
instruments.

4. Demonstrated ability in effectively managing a significant caseload
and
problem solving. Exercising excellent judgement and initiative in
resolving
complex legal issues, and the ability to work well in a team-oriented
environment.
list end

BASIS OF RATING:

Applicants meeting basic eligibility requirements will be rated and
ranked on the
above evaluation criteria required to perform the duties of the
position. Please
review these factors carefully. Include in the write-ups such things as
experience in and out of Federal service that gave you the specific
knowledge,
skill or ability; objectives of your work; and evidence of your success
(such as
accomplishments, awards received, etc).

NOTE: Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview. The
candidate
selected will be required to provide a copy of a J.D./LL.B transcript
from an
accredited law school, as well as proof of current membership in good
standing of
the Bar of at least one state, territory of the United States, the
District of
Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, prior to any formal job
offer.

Final selection will be made on the basis of relevant experience,
education,
training, performance appraisal, job-related awards, interview, and the
skills
and experience identified above.

NOTE: Please include with your application a Narrative Statement
describing possession of each evaluation criterion (i.e. knowledge,
skills and
abilities or KSAs) above. Failure to provide the Narrative Statement may
adversely impact your ranking score and ability to be certified for
referral to
the selecting official.


9. HOW DO I APPLY?

All application materials must be received by midnight, Eastern Time on
the
closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide complete
information may
result in the applicant not receiving consideration for this position.
Please do
not submit additional, unsolicited materials or original documents that
you may
need in the future.

ONLY EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED - FAXED, MAILED, or
HAND-DELIVERED
APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Applications will become part of
the
staffing case file and will not be returned.

SUBMIT:

List of 5 items
1. Resume or OF-612 “Optional Application for Federal Employment” or any
other written format you choose. Whatever format you use, however,
should contain
all the information requested at the end of this announcement.

2. Narrative statement addressing each of the evaluation (KSA) criteria
listed above.

3. SF-50 (or comparable document such as a transcript of service issued
in
lieu of SF-50) indicating competitive status and current grade level; or
SF-50
indicating eligibility for competitive service appointment (e.g., TSA
employees
must provide proof of permanent TSA appointment) and performance
appraisal from
status applicants and applicants eligible for competitive service
appointments.

4. DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,
MUST be provided in order to receive Veterans preference or to establish
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act appointment eligibility.

5. Applicants with less than eight years of practice experience must
submit
a law school transcript and grade point average or class ranking with
the
application materials.
list end


10. WHERE DO I SEND MY APPLICATION?

SUBMIT APPLICATION MATERIALS TO (include the vacancy announcement
number):

Application materials should be emailed to:
Debbie.Gay at dhs.gov



11. GENERAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

SECURITY CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED.
Background Investigation. This position is a critical-sensitive position
and
the tentative selectee must undergo and successfully complete a
background
investigation for a TOP SECRET security clearance as a condition of
placement/retention in the position.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: This position has no known promotion potential
beyond
GS-15. This position may be filled at the GS-13, GS-14 or GS-15 level.
If
selection is made at the GS-13 or GS-14 grade level, promotion to the
GS-15 level
may occur without further competition.

As stated in this announcement, the position may be filled at more than
one grade
level. You should indicate in your application the lowest acceptable
grade level.
If you do not indicate your lowest acceptable grade level, you will be
considered
at the one highest grade level for which you are found to be qualified.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in
the
competitive civil service. Appointees are granted an excepted service
appointment.

NOTES: 

The Department of Homeland Security is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All
candidates will be considered regardless of their race, color, religion,
sex,
national origin, age, sexual orientation, protected genetic information,
status
as a parent, lawful political affiliation, marital status,
physical/mental
disability (if not a job factor), membership or non-membership in an
employee
organization, or any other non-merit factor.

All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/ Electronic
Funds
Transfer for salary payments.

The Department of Homeland Security provides reasonable accommodations
to
applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should
notify
the point of contact on this vacancy announcement if a reasonable
accommodation
is needed for any part of the application and hiring process.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they
have
registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having
to do so
under Selective Service law, if selected.


12. REQUIRED INFORMATION (Incomplete applications may not be considered
for this
position.)

Job Information: 
List of 1 items
• Announcement number and position title and grade(s) for which you are
applying
list end

Personal Information:
List of 6 items
• Full name, mailing address, day and evening phone numbers
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number
• Country of citizenship (must be U.S. citizen to be eligible)
• Veterans Preference, if applicable. Attach latest report of Separation
from Active Duty (DD-214) to establish honorable discharge from military
service.
Attach SF-15 & required proof (i.e., an official statement, dated 1991
or later,
from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed
Forces) if
you are claiming a 10-point veterans preference. If appropriate
documentation is
not received by the closing date, preference will not be granted.
• Special appointment eligibility (e.g., 30% compensable disability,
handicap, Peace Corps, etc.). Attach supporting documentation.
• If you are or were a federal government employee, please attach your
latest SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), indicate highest federal
civilian
grade held and dates and attach a copy of your latest performance
appraisal.
list end

Education:
List of 2 items
• Colleges and Universities: Name, city, state, major(s), type of degree
and year received (or total semester/quarter hours earned)
• Other educational programs, if relevant. Show dates and total hours of
program.
list end

Job-Related Work Experience:
List of 6 items
• Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
• Name of employer, supervisor’s name, and supervisor’s telephone number
(please indicate if you do not want us to contact your current
supervisor)
• Starting and Ending dates (month and year)
• Hours worked per week
• Annual salary
• Duties and accomplishments
list end

Other Job-Related Qualifications:
List of 5 items
• Relevant skills (e.g. foreign languages, computer software/hardware)
• Relevant training courses
• Relevant current certificates and licenses
• Relevant honors, awards, etc. (e.g., memberships in professional and
honor societies, publications, leadership activities, performance
awards). Give
dates, but do not send documents.
• Narrative Statement describing possession of advertised evaluation
criteria (KSAs)
list end


For more information, please read OPM’s OF-510, "Applying for a Federal
Job"

Apply Online
Print Preview
Email A Friend

Send Mail

Send Mail to:
Department Of Homeland Security

Questions

For questions about this job:
Debbie Gay
Phone: 202-282-8885

USAJOBS Control Number: 672961

EEO Policy Statement |
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement |
Veterans Information
Legal and Regulatory Guidance
eGov logo and link to eGov site

This is a United States Office of Personnel Management website. USAJOBS
is the Federal Government's official one-stop source for Federal jobs
and employment
information.

Working for America

Home |
Search Jobs |
My USAJOBS |
Forms
FAQS |
Privacy Policy |
Help |
Site Map
Employer Services |
Contact Us |
Privacy Act and Public Burden Information