DutiesThis Public Notice for Attorney Advisor (Direct Hire) position is located in Chief Counsel, Litigation Division. Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:
- Represents TSA as primary or secondary counsel in litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal courts, and labor arbitration proceedings. Provides expert legal guidance to TSA personnel and external stakeholders on complex legal issues affecting TSA operations and workforce matters. Advises policymakers and managers on legal strategy, precedents, and arguments that support the agency's position.
- Conducts all phases of administrative and judicial litigation from initial case assessment through discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, hearings, and post-hearing actions. Develop litigation strategies; prepare pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery requests and responses, and witness examinations. Communicates legal advice and advocacy positions clearly and tailors messaging to the audience and circumstances.
- Adjudicates and resolves tort claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act Reviews claims and supports evidence, conducts legal and factual analyses, and evaluates issues of liability, damages, and potential settlement. Prepares written determinations and coordinates with program offices, claimants, and other appropriate stakeholders to ensure timely, legally sufficient claim resolution.
- Partners with the Department of Justice to protect TSA interests and unique equities in federal district and appellate court litigation nationwide. Supports cases involving constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues by providing agency expertise, developing legal positions, coordinating factual support, and assisting with litigation strategy and case management.
Please note: The major duties described reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, the lower pay bands perform the same duties but will receive more guidance and training; and/or projects/work assignments may be less complex.
RequirementsConditions of employment - You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
- You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
- You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
- Selective Service registration is required.
- You must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance level.
- Financial Disclosure Required: OGE-450 required for K Band only
- Must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
You must submit a copy of your law school transcript. (Submission of an unofficial copy is sufficient, but official copy must be submitted prior to appointment). You must submit a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Qualifications Basic requirements for all grade levels: - Applicants must have a Law Degree (e.g., J.D., LL.B.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
- Must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-H or GS-12 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience
MUST include all the following:
- Managing a caseload of litigation matters, including preparing, filing, and gathering supporting documentation for court submission; and
- Providing legal advice, policy guidance, and risk assessments to program managers on the complexity of laws, rules, and court precedents; and
- Coordinating with multiple parties (i.e., witnesses, agency personnel) to build evidence, conduct interviews, and prepare cases for hearing or settlement.
To qualify for the SV-J Pay Band (equivalent to GS-14), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-I or GS-13 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience
MUST include all the following:
- Developing litigation strategies and strategic solutions to address legal issues affecting major agencies or organizational programs; and
- Reviewing and approving formal legal briefs, pleadings, settlement agreements, and policy documents prior to distribution to senior level leadership; and
- Leading and coordinating projects or litigation teams in resolving difficult or sensitive legal challenges.
To qualify for the SV-K Pay Band (equivalent to GS-15), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-J or GS-14 Pay Band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience
MUST include all the following:
- Serving as the primary legal authority and/or lead counsel for directing and litigating cases, arbitrations, or administrative proceedings; and
- Formulating litigation policies and establishing strategic legal frameworks that govern high level program administration; and
- Directing and managing legal professionals (i.e., attorney advisors, junior attorneys, or paralegal staff), which includes managing performance and mentoring staff; and
- Advising and briefing executive level leadership on highly sensitive legal matters, congressional inquiries or settlement decisions.
Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
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.
You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Education This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement. For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you
MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.
Additional informationEligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.
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.
TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.
