Closing Date: 19th June, 2026
Description:
Summary:The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is seeking an experienced attorney and skilled presenter for our Washington, D.C. office. This role in the Outreach, Training, and Compliance Unit involves delivering engaging training, translating complex legal principles into practical guidance, and supporting OSC's mission to promote accountability, integrity, and fairness in the federal workplace.
Duties:
Why Join OSC?
OSC consistently ranks highly in the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) for workplace satisfaction!
Unit Overview
The Outreach, Training & Compliance Unit (OTC) advances awareness and compliance with federal personnel law through outreach, training, and workforce development initiatives. OTC manages the 2302(c) Certification Program to educate employees on workplace protections, including whistleblower rights, and coordinates and/or delivers internal training to promote professional growth and a well-informed federal workforce. OTC also oversees OSC's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
Duties:
As a member of the Outreach, Training & Compliance Unit, you will:
Ideal Candidate:
OSC seeks a dynamic legal professional who is skilled and confident in public speaking, with strong interpersonal abilities and a commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will lead engaging training that transforms complex legal principles into practical guidance, build strong partnerships across government, and champion OSC's mission to promote accountability, protect whistleblowers, and uphold the Merit System Principles.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
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:
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-13 or GS-14 grade level. 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.
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:
OSC consistently ranks highly in the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) for workplace satisfaction!
Unit Overview
The Outreach, Training & Compliance Unit (OTC) advances awareness and compliance with federal personnel law through outreach, training, and workforce development initiatives. OTC manages the 2302(c) Certification Program to educate employees on workplace protections, including whistleblower rights, and coordinates and/or delivers internal training to promote professional growth and a well-informed federal workforce. OTC also oversees OSC's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
Duties:
As a member of the Outreach, Training & Compliance Unit, you will:
- Serve as a subject matter expert by delivering external training for federal agencies and collaborating with leadership to strengthen program offerings.
- Provide authoritative legal guidance on complex factual and legal issues, requiring accurate analysis, extensive research, and integration of evolving case law.
- Lead and administer OSC's 5 U.S.C. 2302(c) Certification Program, delivering legal guidance, training, and technical assistance to federal agencies and government corporations to help them meet their statutory obligation to ensure employees are informed of their rights under the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and related statutes.
- Support the management of OSC's EEO program, conducting legal research, advising on complex internal EEO matters, and drafting and reviewing documents to ensure compliance.
- Coordinate workforce development initiatives, including internal training and professional development programs, and oversee compliance with mandatory training requirements.
Ideal Candidate:
OSC seeks a dynamic legal professional who is skilled and confident in public speaking, with strong interpersonal abilities and a commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will lead engaging training that transforms complex legal principles into practical guidance, build strong partnerships across government, and champion OSC's mission to promote accountability, protect whistleblowers, and uphold the Merit System Principles.
Requirements:
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:
- Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (proof of active bar membership in good standing is required; failure to provide documentation will result in disqualification).
- An interest and natural talent for delivering clear, engaging oral presentations, whether offering legal advice and counsel to management, providing ethics or compliance training to senior officials, or speaking in a courtroom setting. Candidates will be required to conduct a mock presentation during the interview process to assess public-speaking skills.
- Superior skills conducting in-depth legal research and analysis to interpret statutes, regulations, and case law, and communicating complex legal concepts through written materials and oral presentations.
- Knowledge of federal employment law is preferred.
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-13 or GS-14 grade level. 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.
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:
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. (https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits?_gl=1*1lwtbw1*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3Nzk4Njc2MDEkbzMkZzEkdDE3Nzk4Njc2MDUkajU2JGww
