General Attorney

A Government Entity

  • Washington, DC
  • Not Specified
  • Full Time
  • 26-HG-12878619-EX
  • 85,447 - 133,142 / Yearly
  • Not Specified
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Closing Date: 17th February, 2026

Description:

Summary:
This position is part of the Office of Hearings and Appeals at the Department of Energy (DOE). This position has promotion potential to the General Attorney, GS-15. At this level, you will perform a broad variety of professional legal work that involves the conduct of administrative hearings, the review and adjudication of administrative appeals, the conduct of mediations and facilitations, and the preparation of rulings and decisions in a wide array of complex legal matters.

Duties:
At the full performance General Attorney, GS-0905-15, you will:
  • Serve as an Administrative Judge who presides over administrative hearings.
  • Draft decisions resolving adjudicatory matters such as requests for evidentiary hearings, petitions for review of agency action, and complaints alleging retaliation for engaging in protected activity, as well as requests for extension of time, discovery, protective orders, and other motions.
  • Analyze evidence, testimony, and legal arguments.
  • Research applicable law and legal precedents and draft decisions for management review. Cases include, (but are not limited to: whistle blower cases under 10 CFR Part 708 alleging improper action against a contractor employee who reports of violation of the law, waste, fraud, mismanagement, or matters of health/safety; security clearance cases under 10 CFR Part 710 concerning whether to deny or revoke a security clearance for a federal or contractor employee; and Human Reliability Program cases under 10 CFR Part 712 ensuring the physical/mental suitability of individuals with access to certain materials, nuclear explosive devices, facilities, and programs.
  • Manage complex or precedential cases in which DOE procedural regulations do not provide for Administrative Judges, including but not limited to, requests and appeals of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act determinations issued by DOE offices.
  • Serve as a mediator regarding disputes between and among agency and contractor employees.
  • Handle complex or precedential special duties relating to office work and will provide mentorship and guidance to and serve as a legal resource for other office attorneys.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
  • If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Non-preference eligible appointees are subject to a 2-year trial period. Preference eligible appointees are subject to a 1-year trial period.
  • This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor.
  • GS-13 and above are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
  • If selected, you must self-identify if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee as OPM approval is required prior to finalizing your selection.
  • Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State, District of Columbia, territory of the United States, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with DOE.
  • This position is NOT included in a Bargaining Agreement.
  • Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.
  • This position has been designated as Critical Sensitive and requires a security clearance at the "Q". The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain this clearance; failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.
  • This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
  • This position may be authorized for SITUATIONAL telework, as approved by the supervisor and consistent with agency guidelines.
  • Up to 10% overnight travel may be required.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free responses, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated.
  • Your answers to the essay questions will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • Relocation Incentive may be considered based on budget availability for a highly qualified candidate.

Qualifications:
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:
All applicants MUST:
  • Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
  • Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Qualification Requirements:
GS-12 Qualifications:
One year of professional (attorney) legal experience and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work. The educational background should include course work beyond the first professional degree in a field directly related to the work for which he/she is being considered.

GS-11 Qualifications:
Advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform legal work and active membership in a state or District of Columbia bar. The educational background should include course work beyond the first professional degree in a field directly related to the work for which he/she is being considered.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education:
ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree; OR
  • Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.

For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit:
  • A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.; AND
  • You must provide proof of bar or your bar number.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional Information:
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.