Non Practicing Attorney Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located in Office of the General Counsel. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency.
The supervisory information will be determined at time of selection.
This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.
This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Depending on placement, duties will be performed with a high degree of independence and will include representation before administrative tribunals, providing advice in non-adjudicatory contexts, and advising and providing legal services related to

• federal labor and employment law, equal employment opportunity, reasonable accommodation, harassment, personnel security, torts, and government contracts and grants, or
• ethics and information law.

Reviews technical and other documents to determine legal sufficiency, performs difficult original legal research, develops solutions to novel and complex legal issues, provides legal opinion and advice, and identifies and addresses policy matters, including consideration of relevant risks.
When serving as lead attorney, provides leadership and guidance to assigned back-up attorneys. In this role, makes assignments to the back-up attorneys and provides comments and revisions to documents and other work products connected with assigned matters.
Provides advice and counsel in connection with:

• hiring and discipline of employees, employee pay and benefits, whistleblower retaliation, reasonable accommodation, equal employment opportunity issues, harassment, personnel security, torts, and government contracts and grants, or
• ethics and information law.

Supports the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys in all aspects of litigation involving the NRC filed in the federal courts.
When in a litigation role, prepares and, and represents the agency in difficult and complex cases before administrative tribunals including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and arbitrators. Prepares motions and briefs, obtains witness and develops testimony, negotiates with litigants, conducts direct and cross-examination, and makes persuasive arguments during hearings.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.
All information in your resume must be true and accurate.
Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• This is a Drug Testing position
• Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:
GG 13: includes experience that is defined as attorney or judicial work experience in a federal or state government legal office, federal or state judiciary, or the private practice of law, which provided the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work of these positions. Relevant work experience will include substantial regulatory and statutory interpretation and/or litigation experience sufficient to perform with an adequate degree of independence or with assistance on complex and major assignments.
GG 14: includes experience that is defined as attorney or judicial work experience in a federal or state government legal office, federal or state judiciary, or the private practice of law, which provided the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work of these positions. Relevant work experience will include substantial regulatory and statutory interpretation and/or litigation experience sufficient to perform independently on complex and major assignments.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Ability to interpret and analyze Federal laws, statutes, regulations, and cases as they relate to various aspects of labor and employment law, or to ethics and information law.
2. Ability to effectively identify, analyze, prepare detailed legal opinions, and resolve complex legal issues in federal labor and employment law, labor relations, equal employment opportunity, reasonable accommodation, anti-harassment, and personnel security, or in ethics and information law.
3. Ability to provide legal advice and support to the General Counsel, the Commission, and agency management on all aspects of labor and employment law or of ethics and information law.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in-writing in connection with litigation of cases before various tribunals, including the FLRA, MSPB, EEOC, arbitrators, and federal courts.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria.
PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Education
You must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a J.D., LL.B., or equivalent degree, and you must be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Applications will be reviewed every three weeks.
Review 1 - 08/13/2026
Review 2 - 09/10//2026
Review 3 - 10/08/2026
This position may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy.
Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing.
A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a waiver is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment.
If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.
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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
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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.
As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.
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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.