Duties

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• Renders legal advice to key agency officials on a broad range of legal questions concerning the activities of NEH.
• Researches, interprets, and provides verbal and written analysis of NEH enabling legislation, federal ethics laws, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters, regulatory requirements, the law of government grants and contracts, appropriations law, and personnel regulations, among other areas of the law.
• Reviews and analyzes contracts, interagency agreements, grant guidelines, administrative directives and other legal documents.
• Drafts regulations, legal opinions and briefs, memoranda, directives, meeting minutes, and reports to other federal agencies.
• Assists in the administration of NEH's ethics and Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) programs; coordinates agency's responses and obligations under FOIA.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizen
• Relevant Experience and/or Education
• Favorable background investigation
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

At the GS-12 level: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level or equivalent experience.

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, for example: (1)Conducts complex legal research and analysis; (2)Reviews and drafts legal memoranda, briefs, correspondence, policy guidance documents, contracts, and regulations; (3)Provides legal advice to agency officials on Federal ethics laws, the Hatch Act, FOIA, the Privacy Act, appropriations law, grant management regulations, and other federal laws and regulations; (4)Conveys conclusions and strategic recommendations to agency officials verbally and in clear, concise written format using plain writing in line with the Federal Plain Writing Act of 2010; (5)Represents agencies and officials in administrative litigation, including cases before the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (6)Manages competing priorities under short deadlines.

At the GS-13 level: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level or equivalent experience.

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, for example: (1) Leads complex legal research and analysis; (2)Prepare legal memoranda, briefs, correspondence, policy guidance documents, contracts, and regulation with minimal review for senior management; (3)Advises agency officials and employees on Federal ethics laws, the Hatch Act, FOIA, the Privacy Act, appropriations law, grant management regulations, and other federal laws and regulations; (4)Conveys conclusions and strategic recommendations to agency officials verbally and in clear, concise written format using plain writing in line with the Federal Plain Writing Act of 2010; (5)Represents agencies and officials in administrative litigation, including cases before the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (6)Manages competing priorities under short deadlines.

At the GS-14 level: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level or equivalent experience.

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, for example: (1) Leads complex legal research and analysis for senior management; (2)Prepare legal memoranda, briefs, correspondence, policy guidance documents, contracts, and regulation for senior management; (3)Advises agency officials and employees on Federal ethics laws, the Hatch Act, FOIA, the Privacy Act, appropriations law, grant management regulations, and other federal laws and regulations; (4)Conveys conclusions and strategic recommendations to agency officials verbally and in clear, concise written format using plain writing in line with the Federal Plain Writing Act of 2010; (5)Represents agencies and officials in administrative litigation, including cases before the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for the agency; (6)Manages multiple competing priorities under short deadlines.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. or equivalent degree and be a member in good standing of a recognized bar of a State, a Territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Additional information

1. Veterans' preference rules does not apply to this position however, eligible veterans who meet MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS and the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS will be considered as much as administratively feasible. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you are encouraged to attach a copy of your DD-214 (Member-4 copy) or other proof of eligibility. If you are a preference eligible 10-point (CP or CPS) veteran, you are also encouraged to attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

2. If you are the spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty, the spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces, or the spouse of a deceased member of the armed forces, you may apply for consideration through the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority. You must meet certain criteria for each of these eligibility categories. Learn more about hiring options available to military spouses. Your eligibility does not entitle you to a job within the federal government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation.

3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

4. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

5. This position may require completion of a 1-year trial period.

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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.