Legal Administrative Specialist (Competition Advisement)

Summary The Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented. The Packers and Stockyards Act (Act) is a competition, trade practice, and financial protection law. Its principal purpose is to maintain effective competition and fair trade practices in livestock, meat, and poultry marketing. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Collaborates with Department attorneys in serving as a legal administrative advisor and in-house legal resource person. Prepares memoranda or reports outlining the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and justifying recommendations or conclusions. Makes recommendations concerning antitrust problems in the livestock, poultry, and meat industries and provides recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints that may be contemplated. Makes judgments and offers research-based opinions about the competitive effects of mergers and acquisitions in terms of the long-range impact of both buyers and sellers to maintain competition and exercise initiative in the affected markets. Consults and advises on necessary investigations and researches individual firm records, legal periodicals, and public information to suggest methods to correct problems. Recommends the issuance of subpoenas and demand letters when necessary and prepares pre-subpoena demand letters and subpoenas. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements; Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) year. Current students who will complete their degree requirements by 12/31/2026 will be considered. OR Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (GS-09) in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Providing recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints. Assisting an attorney with interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents. Performing the foundation for cases as it pertains to legal research, legal analysis. Writing legal memoranda and litigation documents subject to review by a higher graded employee or supervisor EDUCATION GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in Agricultural Law, Agricultural Economics, Governmental Administration or LL.M., if related. TRANSCRIPTS are required. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. 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. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Transcripts including the date your degree was conferred are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation. For those graduating this semester by 12/31/2026, you will have to provide proof of conferment prior to entrance on duty. Additional Information Recent Graduate appointments are intended to last for 1 year. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the USDA Recent Graduates Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed. Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty. A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit (union), specifically the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Selection will be at GS-11 with the possibility of conversion to a term or permanent GS-0901-11, with promotion potential to the GS-13 level. Conversion eligibility and position is not guaranteed and depends upon the program unit's needs. CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS Recent Graduates may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. To be eligible for conversion the Recent Graduate must meet all of the following: Successfully complete at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program as outlined in the Participant Agreement. Demonstrate successful job performance. Meet the qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.