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Summary At Federal Student Aid (FSA), we are proud sponsors of the American mind. As a principal office of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), FSA provides students and families financial assistance for higher education, and we promote the value of postsecondary education to society. We ensure that all eligible students and families can benefit from federal financial aid for education or training beyond high school. Responsibilities We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. Multiple positions are located in the Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, and Borrower Defense Group within the Enforcement Directorate. The Borrower Defense Group considers and issues recommendations or decisions on claims by borrowers who assert a defense to repayment of Federal student loans based on an act or omission of an Institution of Higher Education that gives rise to a cause of action under State law or Federal regulations, as applicable. As a General Attorney, GS-0905-11, with significant oversight you will be responsible for: Preparing preliminary memoranda/reports outlining facts and legal issues, analyzing the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents to the relevant facts, and justifying recommendations or conclusions. Conducting research in connection with legal questions, such as questions concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, and regulations as they pertain to Enforcement matters. Reviewing and synthesizing evidence to support legal theories. Investigating and/or adjudicating borrower defense claims involving varied factual and legal issues. As a General Attorney, GS-0905-12, you will be responsible for: Preparing preliminary memoranda/reports outlining facts and legal issues, analyzing the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents to the relevant facts, and justifying recommendations or conclusions. Conducting research of statutes, regulations, Education (ED) and Federal Student Aid (FSA) policies and legal opinions bearing on the legal issues involved in the development and implementation of investigation activities and borrower defense decisions. Gathering, reviewing and analyzing evidence to support case development. Investigating and/or adjudicating borrower defense claims involving varied factual and legal issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a US Citizen. May be required to successfully complete a two-year trial period. Relocation will not be paid. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Must be determined suitable for federal employment. Law degree. Maintain active bar membership while employed in an attorney position. The position is eligible for telework. This position requires financial disclosure. This is an Excepted Service position. Qualifications You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Minimum Qualifications Requirements for the GS-11: You must: Be a graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. AND Have proof of admission to the Bar of the highest court of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and current membership in such Bar as would permit the practice of law. You must be a member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar. AND Have one-year professional legal experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled, OR Have a second professional law degree (LL.M.) which requires one full year of graduate study; OR Have a record showing superior law schoolwork or activities as demonstrated by one of the following: Academic standing in the upper third of the law school graduating class. Work or achievement of significance on his/her law school’s official law review. Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif. Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools. Full-time or continuous participation, for one year or two semesters of law school, in a legal aid program (as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation). Significant summer law office clerk experience after beginning law school. Other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement. Qualifying Experience for the GS-11: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 level performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: Training and/or experience in legal analysis and writing. Training and/or experience in conducting legal research. Training and/or experience in reviewing and analyzing evidence. Minimum Qualification Requirements for GS-12: You must: Be a graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. AND Have proof of admission to the Bar of the highest court of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and current membership in such Bar as would permit the practice of law. You must be a member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar. AND Have two years of professional legal experience, at least one of the two years must be at the level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled. OR Have one year of professional legal experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled, PLUS a second professional law degree (LL.M.) which requires one full year of graduate study OR Have one year of professional legal experience at the level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the grade immediately below the one being filled, PLUS record showing superior law schoolwork, or activities as demonstrated by one of the following: Academic standing in the upper third of the law school graduating class. Work or achievement of significance on his/her law school’s official law review. Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif. Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools. Full-time or continuous participation, for one year or two semesters of law school, in a legal aid program (as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation). Significant summer law office clerk experience after beginning law school. Other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement. Qualyfing Experience for GS-12: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 level performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: Experience in legal analysis and writing. Experience in conducting legal research. Experience reviewing and analyzing evidence. Preferred Qualification (All grade levels): Experience relating to Title IV programs of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, Borrower Defense regulations, other loan discharge regulations, and/or consumer protection statutes highly desirable, as well as journal and/or clerkship experience. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by the information provided in your application. Skill in legal analysis and legal writing. Legal research skills. Skill in analysis of evidence. Skill in applying the law to specific facts, cases, or claims. Education This position has a positive education requirement. See Qualifications above. Additional Information Equal Employment Opportunity: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, marital status, or political affiliation. People with Disabilities: We are committed to expanding access to employment by hiring people with disabilities; providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities; and, identifying and removing barriers to work. Persons with disabilities, including disabled veterans, may apply for jobs filled either competitively (where qualified individuals compete with one another through a structured process), noncompetitively (where a qualified individual may be selected based on a special hiring authority), or through an excepted appointing authority for people with disabilities (i.e., Schedule A). If you require a reasonable file:///C:/Users/CHEPEL1.CHR/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clipimage002.png" width="1" height="1" />file:///C:/Users/CHEPEL1.CHR/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clipimage002.png" width="1" height="1" />accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please visit: http://opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email Iwork@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and subject to a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Level of Risk and Sensitivity: Level of this position T2 and the sensitivity is Moderate. Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Bargaining Unit: This position is included in the bargaining unit (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252). Financial Disclosure Statement: The duties and responsibilities of your position require you to file the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE Form 450, (5 CFR Part 2634, Subpart I) to avoid involvement in a real or apparent conflict of interest. The form is required upon entering the position and annually thereafter. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.