Trial Attorney

Trial Attorney

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $84601 - $185234 Per Year

Job Summary: This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). We are hiring attorneys with Federal and/or administrative litigation experience, preferably in the area of employment law.

Major Duties:

• Attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) "first chair" litigation before administrative agencies in a broad range of employment and labor matters including adverse actions, reductions in force, suitability, labor relations, and discrimination. Serving as lead counsel in important and sensitive litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Preparing cases for litigation, including writing motions, briefs, and other papers, conducting discovery, and participating in administrative hearings. Making recommendations regarding settlement of litigation and appeal of adverse decisions, including the exercise of OPM's special statutory authority to obtain review of adverse MSPB decisions with a substantial impact on the civil service. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Basic Qualifications: At the GS-12 level and above: Applicants with one or more years of post Juris Doctorate (J.D.) legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have: A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and At least one year of experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; at least two years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; and at least three years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-14 level. At the GS-11 level: Applicants with less than one year of post J.D. legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have: A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; Academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class (to the extent an applicant's law school has class rank); and Advanced educational attainment that indicates the ability to independently perform legal work, such as work or achievement of significance on a law school's official law reviews or journals; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif or winning a moot court competition); full-time or continuous participation in a legal clinic program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation; significant summer clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement. Preferred Qualifications Experience "first chairing" MSPB, EEO, or Federal litigation; The ability to provide excellent customer service and to exercise sound judgment and decision making in challenging situations; Strong oral and written communication skills; High competence in legal research and analysis, including the ability to effectively integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, including in compressed timeframes; The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment; Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances; Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently; Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships, both within and outside OGC; You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJobs@opm.gov. (NOTE: PDF format is preferred). Please include in the subject line the position you are applying for, your last name, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Attorney-Advisor, Doe, Jane, GS 11, GS12). You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application

Application Deadline: 2026-01-07