Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for an Attorney Advisor (Assistant General Counsel) position specializing in Congressional affairs, legislative affairs, regulations, information requests, and oversight activities within the Office of the Director (OD), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Alexandria, VA.

For more information on OGC please click here.

For more information on OD please click here.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.

Duties

OGC is the legal office for the Foundation, providing legal advice, assistance, and advocacy on all aspects of the Foundation's programs, policies, and operations, as well as areas affecting science and technology more broadly. Advice is provided in a wide variety of areas, such as: grants, contracts and cooperative agreements; intellectual property; conflicts-of-interest; employee and labor relations; civil rights; health, safety and environment; Federal fiscal and administrative law and procedure; and international law and agreements.

OGC is seeking to fill one or more openings for an attorney advisor. The individual selected will serve as an Assistant General Counsel responsible for providing related advice, guidance, and other legal services such as litigation support. The work of the Assistant General Counsel will include, and the candidate should demonstrate experience, as follows:

1. The Assistant General Counsel will advise Directorate(s) and Office Head leadership and the Office of Public and Legislative Affairs on Congressional requests for information, general requests for information and other matters related to Congressional and Legislative Affairs.
2. The Assistant General Counsel will research, interpret and opine on new and proposed legislation and will assist in legislative drafting activities on behalf of the Foundation. The Assistant General Counsel will further assist in developing responses to requests from members of Congress and their staff on legislative matters affecting or relating to the Foundation, as well as requests for information from the National Science Board and the Office of the Inspector General.
3. The Assistant General Counsel will provide advice and guidance relating to a variety of legal issues regarding privacy law, information security law, and information governance. The Assistant General Counsel should be prepared to assist in providing guidance at the intersection of law and advanced technology, including information collection authorities, data science, and artificial intelligence.
4. The Assistant General Counsel will provide advice and guidance on activities related to NSF's advisory bodies, including those that are and are not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and/or the Sunshine Act.
5. As needed, the Assistant General Counsel may also be called upon to support NSF litigation matters, in particular litigation related to information collection and disclosure and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

NSF OGC is a small, collaborative office where the ability to be flexible and provide value to areas beyond the principal area of a portfolio is prized. As such, additional preference may be given to candidates with experience in areas of import to the Foundation's mission and/or of Congressional concern such as diversity, equity, and civil rights; sexual assault, harassment and other forms of harassment; export controls; emerging technologies; suspension and debarment; research integrity and misconduct; national security; or administrative law.

Additionally, the Assistant General Counsel will:

• Be knowledgeable of, and keep up-to-date with, the state of law, policy, and procedure relevant to the portfolio.
• Counsel management of Directorate(s) and Offices with respect to portfolio matters, and will serve as the principal OGC liaison to NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs.
• Support colleagues and clients to identify the need for policy guidance in portfolio matters and support its development. Consult with and render opinions to all levels of the agency in interpreting and applying such guidance.
• Represent NSF in interagency and executive branch discussions related to portfolio matters.
• Identify facts and issues to determine the nature of the legal problem, conduct legal research, and provide written and oral legal advice.
• Serve on working groups related to matters in the portfolio.
• Demonstrate the interpersonal skills needed to develop and maintain strong, trust-based client and colleague relationships, and actively participate with clients and colleagues to pursue solutions that meet OGC and NSF goals and objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This position is outside the competitive civil service.

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.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

Qualifications

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

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 involving other areas of Federal government legal practice.

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 MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions

This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.

Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered.

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

NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.

• 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. 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used. We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.

Quality Ranking Factors

1. Experience and in-depth knowledge of federal law and practice as described above.
2. Ability to analyze legal problems, including consideration of applicable legal rules, the issues they present, the policy considerations that underlie them, and the legal and programmatic benefits and risks that arise from them.
3. Ability to represent the Agency in administrative and judicial proceedings, interagency and executive branch meetings, and negotiations as demonstrated by an ability to write and argue clearly, succinctly, and persuasively.
4. Ability to manage a varied workload and work concurrently and collaboratively with other attorneys and staff.
5. Ability to understand and effectively advocate on behalf of the National Science Foundation.

• 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. 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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  All applicants must submit a resume in any format and proof of bar membership in good standing of a State, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
  
  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. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non-Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date.
  
  You are strongly encouraged to upload a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
  
  Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
  
  All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
  
  - Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
  
  -If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
  
  - As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
  
  - If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.
  
  IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
  
  WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Staffing and Classification Branch
  
  Email
  
  erecruit@nsf.gov
  
  Address
  
  NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
  
  2415 Eisenhower Ave
  
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website
  
  Applicants should click 'Track this Application' in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

All applicants must submit a resume in any format and proof of bar membership in good standing of a State, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.

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. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non-Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date.

You are strongly encouraged to upload a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.

Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.

All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.

- Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.

-If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.

- As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.

- If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.

WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Agency contact information

Staffing and Classification Branch

Email

erecruit@nsf.gov

Address

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

2415 Eisenhower Ave

Alexandria, VA 22314

US

Next steps

You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website

Applicants should click 'Track this Application' in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request