Attorney-Advisor (Veterans)
Board of Veterans AppealsDepartment of Veterans Affairs
Washington, District of Columbia
Starting at $68,036 (GS 11)
Excepted Service • Full-Time
Open 10/30/2018 to 01/28/2019
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Overview
Open & closing dates10/30/2018 to 01/28/2019
Service
Excepted
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Salary
$68,036 to $148,967 per year
Appointment type
Permanent - Excepted Service
Work schedule
Full-Time
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:Washington DC, DC
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Telework eligible
Yes as determined by agency policy
This job is open to
Military spouses
The public
U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Announcement number
CBGA-19-10339144-KAB
Control number
514683900
Duties
SummaryThe incumbent serves as a Attorney-Adviser (Veterans), for the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or Board). The jurisdiction of BVA extends to all questions of law and fact under laws that affect the provision of benefits by the Secretary to Veterans or their dependents or survivors. The incumbent must be able to draft decisions in all types of appeals, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge.
Responsibilities
The work is very similar to a judicial clerkship, in that the principal duty of the attorney is to work directly with a Veterans Law Judge to draft tentative decisions in Veterans' appeals. It is an entry level position with promotion opportunities to GS-14.The incumbent must be able to draft decisions in all types of appeals, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge. This position requires developing an expert knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to Veterans benefits, as set forth in Title 38 of the United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations; the precedent decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), and the United States Supreme Court; and the precedent decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) General Counsel. Specifically, the incumbent reviews and evaluates the credibility and probative value of medical and lay evidence in claims files; drafts a high volume of tentative appellate decisions based on that review; and conducts research on questions encountered in case review or as requested by the Veterans Law Judge.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.
Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Available after trial period of six months
Telework: Available after a trial period of one year
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Attorney-Advisor (Veterans)/#03141A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
This vacancy is open to the public as a standing register. Candidates will be referred (issued for review) to the service (if meeting all qualification and document requirements) on a monthly basis. This position is subject to close at any time during the open period once all vacancies are filled. Qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official for consideration on the following dates: November 30, 2018; December 28 , 2018 and January 28, 2019
Travel Required
Not required
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
14
Job family (Series)
0905 Attorney
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Attorneys
Requirements
Conditions of EmploymentYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
You may be required to serve a probationary period
Subject to background/security investigation
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Qualifications
BAR MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
CITIZENSHIP: Be citizens of, or owe allegiance to, the United States.
EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full course of study (JD) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
EXPERIENCE: In one or any combination of the following types in the amounts indicated for each grade following:
a. Practice of law.
b. Other legal experience of a responsible nature in any or a combination of the following: As a law clerk; in legal research; in analysis of statutes; or in examination, investigation, or adjustment of claims arising under law, contract, or governmental order
c. In the military, naval, or other Federal service in the disposition of legal problems, as a reviewing officer, as a member of courts or boards, or investigation activities
For the Grade of GS-11:
a. One year of experience as described above, OR
b. Graduation in the upper one-third of his/her law class or one of the six alternate options of the Superior Law Student Program:
(1) Work or achievement of significance on his/her school's Official Law Review;
(2) Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
(3) Winning a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team which represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
(4) Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to one-shot, intermittent or casual participation;
(5) Significant summer law-office clerk experience; or
(6) Other equivalent evidence of superior achievement. Candidates applying under this option will be required to furnish certification from the registrar of ranking and other attainments in law school; OR
c. Possession of the LL.M. or JD degree.
Specialized Experience: Providing legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters; Conducting legal research and citing to relevant legal authority; Drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by agency officials.
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; religions; 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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
ORAL INTERVIEW: Applicants must successfully pass an oral interview before appointment is made. The factors to be considered in this interview will be ability to express one's self, aptitude and interest in Federal legal work as a career, and the ability to answer technical questions of law.
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, but requires periods of walking, standing, bending, or climbing, and employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, laptops, and other similar materials.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Transcripts- Please ensure your law transcripts indicate the type of degree awarded and the date it was awarded.
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
Additional information
VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Public Trust - Background Investigation
Drug test required
No
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:1. Resume - Your resume may be in any written format you choose, and to be sufficient, should contain the required information as specified in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Insufficient resumes, or resumes that contain inappropriate information, such as privacy information, detailed security clearance documents, copies of driver's licenses or passports, any photographs, etc., will result in an ineligible rating.
2. Proof of Bar Membership - Certification showing that you are a member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
3. Transcripts - A copy of your transcript(s) for all law school course work completed is required. If you received a degree from an academic institution, be sure that your transcript reflects the same. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application purposes. If your education is from a foreign university, it should include an evaluation of the education by an accredited U.S. source that specializes in interpretation of foreign education credentials. If selected, your academic credentials are verified as part of the security clearance process.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Cover Letter
DD-214
Law License
Other Veterans Document
Resume
SF-15
SF-50
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/28/2019 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10339144.To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information
VHA National Recruitment CenterPhone
(844)456-5208
[email protected]
Address
Board of Veterans Appeals - 1010
810 Vermont Ave
Washington, DC 20420
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency.
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