Summary

The U.S. National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for an Attorney Advisor (Assistant General Counsel) position specializing in federal employment law, including employee relations, within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Office of the Director (OD), in Alexandria, VA.

This announcement will close on 07/24/2026 or once 150 applications are received, whichever occurs first.

Duties

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The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and representation to ensure Foundation programs and operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, including those addressing merit-based employment, accountability, and effective workforce management.

OGC seeks an attorney to serve as Assistant General Counsel for federal employment law.

The Assistant General Counsel will:

• Provide legal advice on federal personnel law, including employee relations, performance management, discipline, adverse actions, and workplace conduct, consistent with merit system principles and applicable Executive Orders.
• Advise on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) matters, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, ensuring compliance with federal nondiscrimination requirements.
• Counsel management on workplace issues, including harassment, misconduct, whistleblower protections, and professional standards of conduct.
• Represent the agency in administrative litigation, including matters before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Office of Special Counsel (OSC); perform discovery, draft motions, prepare witnesses, and conduct hearings and appeals.
• Advise supervisors and leadership on personnel actions and strategies to promote compliance, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.
• Support implementation and interpretation of workforce policies aligned with Executive Orders and federal guidance.
• Collaborate with Human Capital, civil rights, and other agency offices to ensure consistent legal interpretation and application of personnel policies.
• Monitor legal and policy developments in federal personnel law and provide timely guidance to leadership.
• Conduct legal research; analyze complex issues; and deliver clear written and oral legal advice.
• Participate in interagency efforts and working groups on personnel and workforce policy matters.
• Provide support on related legal areas, as needed, to meet OGC and agency mission requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding.
2. Selectee may be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

This position is outside the competitive civil service.

This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. In order to be considered for federal appointments, Non-Citizens must affirm that they meet the Appropriations Law eligibility criteria by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

It is NSF policy that personnel employed at, or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) individuals detailed to, NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General.

NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for situational telework. Situational telework may be approved on an occasional basis in accordance with agency policy, supervisory approval, and operational requirements. Selected candidates interested in telework, or other workplace flexibility arrangements, should discuss available options with the selecting official. Participation in telework is voluntary and requires an approved telework agreement.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a J.D. from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), plus 6 or more years of professional legal experience gained after completion of the pertinent degree.

Candidates must have expertise related to the areas of law relevant to the position for which they wish to be considered, as articulated in the Duties and Experience section above.

Bar Membership: Member in good standing of the bar of a State, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Also, desirable, but not required, is experience and/or interest in other areas of Federal government legal practice, such as intellectual property, federal property, and/or environmental law.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.

Additional information

Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.

This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the U.S. National Science Foundation.

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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.