at Office of the Solicitor in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is located in the Office of Solicitor, in Chicago, IL. The regional offices have responsibility for civil litigation before U.S. District Courts and administrative law judges under the laws enforced by the Department of Labor. This position is outside the bargaining unit. Responsibilities Current DOL policy requires on-site work at least 5 days per pay period. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy. Under the direction of more senior attorneys and counsels the incumbent litigates and provides assistance on cases related to the: Under the direction of more senior attorneys the incumbent assists on cases related to the: Employee Retirement Income Security Act: Fair Labor Standards Act: Occupational Safety and Health Act: Mine Safety and Health Act: Davis-Bacon and Related Acts: McNamara- O’Hara Service Contract Act; Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act; Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act; Black Lung Benefits Act; Employment Retirement Income Security Act; Family and Medical Leave Act; Executive Order 11246; Handling internal labor and employment-related litigation involving Department of Labor employees within the Region, including: appeals of personnel actions to the Merit Systems Protection Board, claims of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and, cases arising under Executive Order 11491 dealing with Federal union-management activities, and Other statutes administered or enforced by the Department. At the direction of the Regional Solicitor, Deputy Regional Solicitor, or program counsel, Incumbent advises, counsels, and works with the various Regional Department of Labor agencies in representing the Secretary of Labor. The incumbent is assigned legal cases at all stages of litigation arising within the Region, sometimes involving complex and difficult factual, procedural, substantive, and administrative issues that potentially have an effect on positions taken by the agency heads on programmatic enforcement both regionally and nationally and can have an impact on one or more particular industries. The cases sometimes involve research, analysis, and working with experts. The cases also can involve large sums of money, multi-establishment employers with large numbers of employees, important enforcement policies, and novel issues. May present oral arguments in court or at administrative hearings. The incumbent reviews assigned cases to determine whether to recommend litigation. Prepares legal analysis and makes litigation recommendations for the Regional Solicitor or other supervising attorney, evaluating cases in terms of the factual evidence, the legal and procedural issues involved, and other considerations that bear on the propriety of litigation. If the Regional Solicitor authorizes litigation, the incumbent is expected to handle the case with some supervision and instruction. The incumbent may direct all phases of the case during litigation, including settlement negotations and trial. May also be assigned to work on cases involving delicate matters in which the government has assumed a heavy burden of proof and/or cases where there has been media attention or interest from members of Congress. Litigates or participates in the litigation of case related to union matters, matters involving those represented by NCFLL and AFGE Local 12, and other active unions in the DOL. Some of the incumbent’s cases are vigorously opposed by senior legal counsel employed by labor and employment law sections of national law firms or otherwise highly qualified and very experienced litigation counsel. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) with a preference that applicants have graduated in the top half of their law school class. Successful applicants will have excellent legal research and writing skills which may be demonstrated through law review, moot court, or as a judicial intern. In addition to being a member of the bar, applicants must have had the amount of post-law school legal experience indicated below. The qualifying experience must have been progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature that demonstrates the ability to perform the work at the grade level for which the application is being made. All Master of Law (LL.M) may be substituted for a maximum of 1 year of experience. GS-12: Applicants must have one (1) year of post-law school legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year of qualifying experience at this level, must be specialized experience as defined below. GS-13: Applicants must have two (2) years of post-law school legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year of qualifying experience at this level, must be specialized experience as defined below. Specialized experience is defined as experience conducting federal, state and/or administrative litigation, which includes the following aspects of litigation: developing case strategies; drafting initial pleadings and motions; conducting writing discovery and deposition practice; and preparing for and appearing at hearings and trials. Applicants also must supply the following documents below. Bar Certificate: You must provide proof that you are a member in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the U.S. Transcripts: You must provide a copy of your law school transcript to be considered for this position. Verification of your academic degree(s) is necessary to determine your qualifications or eligibility for this position. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted during the application phase of the process, although you will be required to submit official transcripts for verification purposes before you are hired. Please note that you must earn a J.D. or L.L.B degree before you can begin working. Writing Sample: In addition to your transcripts applicants must also provide an unedited legal writing sample that is no more than ten (10) pages long with your application in order to receive further consideration. The writing sample can a portion of a brief or memorandum. Education A LL.B or J.D. is a requirement for this position. If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional Information Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. Click here for Career Ladder Promotion InformationThe mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fosterin
