Summary

OSC is seeking recent law school graduates, early-career attorneys, and experienced attorneys to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will handle the initial review and assessment of whistleblower disclosures and complaints of prohibited personnel practices (PPP), evaluating the merits of the allegations. You will collaborate closely with OSC leadership, attorneys, investigators, and support staff to ensure cases are reviewed and processed in compliance with federal laws and regulations.

Duties

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Unit Overview

The Case Review Division (CRD) is the initial point of intake for all disclosures and PPP complaints received by OSC. It also processes third-party referrals from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), agency Offices of Inspectors General, and referrals from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for disciplinary action investigations. CRD ensures that allegations within OSC's jurisdiction are efficiently resolved or forwarded to the appropriate OSC division for further review or investigation. CRD also manages the Office of the Clerk functions, as well as OSC's programs for controlled unclassified information (CUI), the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and records management.

Duties

Under the supervision or mentorship of experienced attorneys, you may:

• Serve as an intake officer for whistleblower disclosures and PPP complaints filed with OSC.
• Conduct initial reviews of complaints to assess jurisdiction and legal sufficiency.
• Analyze allegations to identify potential prohibited personnel practices and whistleblower disclosures under OSC's purview.
• Prepare detailed memoranda summarizing findings and offering recommendations for further action or dismissal.
• Communicate with complainants and whistleblowers to clarify allegations, gather additional information, and provide updates on case status.
• Collaborate with investigative and legal staff to ensure the comprehensive and timely processing of cases.
• Maintain accurate case files in compliance with OSC policies and federal recordkeeping requirements.
• Stay updated on relevant developments in whistleblower and personnel law.
• Assist in developing and refining intake policies, training materials, and best practices.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for candidates who embrace the privilege of public service, bring enthusiasm and dedication to such service, and work well within a team setting. Flexibility and a strong commitment to OSC's statutory mission are essential.

Positions may be filled at any GS grade level (11 through 14) depending on applicant experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first review no earlier than 10 business days after the date this announcement posts. Additional reviews of applications will be conducted periodically, after the initial review, as needed to fill vacant positions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship or National authorized to work in the U.S.
• Individuals born after 12-31-1959 and required to register for Selective Service under the Military Selective Service Act of 50 USC App. 453, must be registered or otherwise exempt from Selective Service. See "Additional Information" section below.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• May be eligible for incentive pay.
• May be eligible for superior qualifications/special needs pay setting.
• Direct Deposit of pay is required.
• E-Verify will be used to confirm employment eligibility on new employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
• Suitable for Federal employment as determined by appropriate background investigation.

Qualifications

Education Qualifications for all positions: A professional law degree (L.L.B., J.D., L.L.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

In addition to Education, applicants must meet the minimum Experience Requirements outlined below:

Position Title

Bar

Membership

Legal Experience Requirements

GS-11, Attorney-Adviser

Required **

None

GS-11, Law Clerk

N/A

Law school graduates who have not yet been admitted to the bar and who have not served in a judicial clerkship may be temporarily employed at the GS-11 level, not to exceed 14 months as law clerk trainees

GS-12, Attorney-Adviser

Required **

1 year of professional legal experience post bar admission.

GS-12, Law Clerk

N/A

Law school graduates who have not yet been admitted to the bar and who have served one year in a judicial clerkship may be temporarily employed at the GS-12 level, not to exceed 14 months as law clerk trainees

GS-13, Attorney-Adviser

Required **

2 years of professional legal experience post bar admission, with at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-12

GS-14, Attorney-Adviser

Required **

3 years of professional legal experience post bar admission with one year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 level

**An active membership in good standing in a bar of a state, U.S. Territory, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth or Puerto Rico.

Your resume must explicitly outline your qualifications. We will not make assumptions about your experience.

NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-0905 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined above.

Annual Leave Accrual Credit

Selectees for their first Federal position may be eligible to earn a higher annual leave accrual rate based on prior non-Federal or uniformed service work experience. The amount of service credited will be based on specialized experience or qualifying experience that is provided on the applicant resume and documentation submitted.

Additional information

ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: In accordance with VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-56),Current military members may apply by submitting a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain: (1) your rank; (2) dates of active duty service; (3) type of discharge and projected character of service (i.e. honorable); (4) projected Veteran's preference, if applicable; (5) date terminal leave begins, if applicable; (6) date of expected discharge or release that is within 120 days of your employment application submission; and (7) signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. If selected, your qualifying separation, veteran's preference, and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active-duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found to have an incomplete application. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if on terminal leave.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Individuals born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. You can find more information on Who Must Register and Exemptions here. In addition, you can find more information on what to do if you failed to register here.

DEVELOPMENTAL POSITION: This position can be filled at the GS-11, GS-12, GS-13, or full performance GS-14 grade level depending on applicant experience and management needs. If filled at the lower grade level, noncompetitive promotion to the next grade level is authorized but not implied. It is dependent upon meeting time-in-grade requirements, specialized experience, required training and any other management requirements to demonstrate ability to perform the next higher/target grade level.

These are not Bargaining Unit positions.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.