Summary

This position is in the Benefits Review Board's located in the Longshore Divisions. The Board, is an independent adjudicatory body with exclusive nationwide jurisdiction to consider and decide appeals raising substantial questions of law or fact taken by any party-in interest from decisions concerning claims filed under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions.

Duties

Help

Major Duties

• Independently performs a complete intensive legal review and examination of complex case records and the issues presented on appeal; reviews and analyzes the arguments regarding the law and the facts of each case. Drafts and submits recommended decisions or memoranda for assigned appeals.
• Researches statutes, regulations, decisions, opinions, legislative history, and other legal authorities on the points of law involved and analyzes their application to the case at hand.
• Prepares a case analysis memorandum, providing a proposed disposition of each issue on appeal and a recommended disposition in the case. Presents recommended disposition to a panel of the Board, either through a written submission or an oral presentation.
• On certain complex cases assigned, the incumbent will be involved in the formal conferencing of cases, with the full Board and supervisory attorneys. Similarly, attends and provides support to formal oral arguments, where the parties appear before the Board to address cases involving a novel issue, or where clarification is essential Jo case disposition.
• Following Board Members' consideration, consultation, when appropriate, and vote, prepares a written decision and order for each case, for approval and signature in line with instructions from Members. As directed, prepares drafts of dissenting or concurring opinions for Board Members, usually in particularly difficult cases, or cases involving new issues. As instructed, redrafts memoranda or decisions and orders, following review by supervisory attorneys or Board members.
• When further consultation or justification is required, confers with and advises the Board Members on cases assigned that involves new law and establishes new precedent. Such advice often requires extended discussions of the legal issues involved, formulation of legal theory, presentation of facts out of which the legal issues arose, evaluation of conflicting testimony and the weighing of evidence, consideration of the inferences to be drawn, and examination of the effect of a particular proposed decision upon general interpretation of the Acts, in the light of Congressional intent.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Requires a trial period if the requirement has not been met.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• You will be required to submit to Suitability/Fitness for the Trust Determination Process.

Qualifications

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Position titles alone cannot be used to determine if you are qualified. Please list dates in MM/DD/YY format. This is imperative in determining if whether you have at least one year of creditable specialized experience. Dates will not be assumed.

To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); be a member in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the U.S.; and have acquired the amount of experience indicated below for each grade level.

For the GS-13 grade level: Applicants must have two (2) years of post-law school legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying experience must be specialized experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the job.

Prior experience as a law clerk or staff attorney to an appellate body, service on law review, publication of an article or note in a legal periodical, and honors or awards for academic or professional performance are also desirable. Competitive candidates will have demonstrated good judgment, sound reasoning, and critical thinking.

NOTE: An LL.M. may be substituted for a maximum of one year of experience.

Education

A LL.B or J.D. is a requirement for this position. If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements.

This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.

This position is at the full performance level.

For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy.

Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

Expand Hide additional information

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

Help

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.

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.