What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Attorney (Program Litigation) position at Social Security Administration?
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Summary
The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of Law & Policy (L&P) seeks Program Litigation attorneys to promote, advocate for, and protect the agency's legal interests in benefit program litigation arising under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Program Litigation attorneys primarily handle federal court cases challenging agency policies, procedures, and benefit/disability claim determinations.
Duties
The incumbent serves as a General Attorney within Law and Policy (LP), providing legal services to the Social Security Administration (SSA).The incumbent advises other LP attorneys, Supervisory Attorneys, Senior Supervisory Counsel (SSC), and Executive Counsel (EC)(Cont'd) on unique, critical, and sensitive matters involving the individual's areas of responsibility, which may include program, non-program or personnel matters.Program litigation attorneys partner with the Department of Justice and often serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys to directly represent SSA in federal district and circuit courts.Social Security touches the lives of millions, providing vital services and a social safety net through retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Join the talented and dedicated attorney team supporting these services.LP is a modern public service law office with a highly skilled, engaged, and diverse workforce dedicated to protecting SSA's legal interests.We strategically shape a large national workload through effective collaboration and coordination. We offer the opportunity to handle meaningful and challenging legal work in a professional, team-oriented, and flexible work environment.Candidates should have a strong desire to serve the public; have excellent research, writing and communication skills; and have strong litigation experience or aptitude.We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, qualities, and experiences to apply.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. Positions will be filled in the Excepted through the use of Schedule A 213.3102(d) appointing authority. Competitive examining procedures will not be conducted. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements shown above. Law Degree: Applicants must hold a law degree from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association. Bar Membership: Applicants must also be an active member of the bar, and in good standing. You must be duly licensed, authorized and eligible to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a U.S. Territory. This is a continuing requirement of the position. Below is a list of acceptable documents. To be considered, at least one of the following three documents is required. Any proof of bar document submitted must include your name, status, state, and must be dated within one year of the closing date of the announcement: Letter or Certificate of Good Standing dated within one year of the announcement; OR Copy of your Bar card with the current year if it reflects a date that is within one year of the announcement; OR Screen print from a Bar website that reflects your active Bar membership (must include the state and be dated within one year of the announcement). In addition to the above requirements, applicants must also meet the following criteria to qualify at each grade level: For the GS-11: J.D. or LL.B. and at least 1 year of professional legal experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or higher in the Federal service; OR A second professional law degree (LL.M) which requires one full year of graduate study; OR J.D. or LL.B. and superior law student work or activities as demonstrated by one of the following: (a) Academic standing in the upper-third of the law school graduating class. (b) Work or achievement of significance on your law schools' official law review. (c) Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif. (d) Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools (e) Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation. (f) Two significant summer law office clerk work experiences of at least 40 hours per week. For the GS-12: Requires at least 2 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. For the GS-13: Requires at least 3 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. For the GS-14: Requires at least 4 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Applicants MUST meet all eligibility requirements on or before the closing date of the announcement to be considered for the position. SSA has discretion to determine what grade level and salary may be offered.
Education
Submit a copy of your law school transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and degree award date. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. Self-prepared transcripts will not be accepted. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional Information
Salary: GS-11 $63,795 - $82,938 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-12 $76,463 - $99,404 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-13 $90,925 -$118,204 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-14 $107,446 - $139,684 PLUS LOCALITY PAY Actual salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions; rates are based on the 2026 GS locality pay tables. Other Information: The applicant must relocate to the selected city or be willing to commute. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Occasional overnight travel is required. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is a permanent, excepted service position that is being filled on a full-time basis. Flextime and/or alternate work schedules may be available. Veterans who are preference-eligible and who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions may apply. (see Required Documents section for specific Veterans Preference information). Selective Service: 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.
Do you have a desire to: help SSA manage its Social Security programs? analyze and solve problems? help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals? work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own? Informational Note: Creating a my Social Security (mySSA) account is a convenient way to access your personal Social Security information online. While not required for this position or the application process, you may wish to learn more about the benefits of having a mySSA account by visiting www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Summary
The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of Law & Policy (L&P) seeks Program Litigation attorneys to promote, advocate for, and protect the agency's legal interests in benefit program litigation arising under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Program Litigation attorneys primarily handle federal court cases challenging agency policies, procedures, and benefit/disability claim determinations.
Duties
The incumbent serves as a General Attorney within Law and Policy (LP), providing legal services to the Social Security Administration (SSA).The incumbent advises other LP attorneys, Supervisory Attorneys, Senior Supervisory Counsel (SSC), and Executive Counsel (EC)(Cont'd) on unique, critical, and sensitive matters involving the individual's areas of responsibility, which may include program, non-program or personnel matters.Program litigation attorneys partner with the Department of Justice and often serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys to directly represent SSA in federal district and circuit courts.Social Security touches the lives of millions, providing vital services and a social safety net through retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Join the talented and dedicated attorney team supporting these services.LP is a modern public service law office with a highly skilled, engaged, and diverse workforce dedicated to protecting SSA's legal interests.We strategically shape a large national workload through effective collaboration and coordination. We offer the opportunity to handle meaningful and challenging legal work in a professional, team-oriented, and flexible work environment.Candidates should have a strong desire to serve the public; have excellent research, writing and communication skills; and have strong litigation experience or aptitude.We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, qualities, and experiences to apply.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. Positions will be filled in the Excepted through the use of Schedule A 213.3102(d) appointing authority. Competitive examining procedures will not be conducted. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements shown above. Law Degree: Applicants must hold a law degree from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association. Bar Membership: Applicants must also be an active member of the bar, and in good standing. You must be duly licensed, authorized and eligible to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a U.S. Territory. This is a continuing requirement of the position. Below is a list of acceptable documents. To be considered, at least one of the following three documents is required. Any proof of bar document submitted must include your name, status, state, and must be dated within one year of the closing date of the announcement: Letter or Certificate of Good Standing dated within one year of the announcement; OR Copy of your Bar card with the current year if it reflects a date that is within one year of the announcement; OR Screen print from a Bar website that reflects your active Bar membership (must include the state and be dated within one year of the announcement). In addition to the above requirements, applicants must also meet the following criteria to qualify at each grade level: For the GS-11: J.D. or LL.B. and at least 1 year of professional legal experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or higher in the Federal service; OR A second professional law degree (LL.M) which requires one full year of graduate study; OR J.D. or LL.B. and superior law student work or activities as demonstrated by one of the following: (a) Academic standing in the upper-third of the law school graduating class. (b) Work or achievement of significance on your law schools' official law review. (c) Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif. (d) Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools (e) Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation. (f) Two significant summer law office clerk work experiences of at least 40 hours per week. For the GS-12: Requires at least 2 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. For the GS-13: Requires at least 3 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. For the GS-14: Requires at least 4 years of professional legal experience working as an attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Applicants MUST meet all eligibility requirements on or before the closing date of the announcement to be considered for the position. SSA has discretion to determine what grade level and salary may be offered.
Education
Submit a copy of your law school transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and degree award date. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. Self-prepared transcripts will not be accepted. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional Information
Salary: GS-11 $63,795 - $82,938 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-12 $76,463 - $99,404 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-13 $90,925 -$118,204 PLUS LOCALITY PAY GS-14 $107,446 - $139,684 PLUS LOCALITY PAY Actual salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions; rates are based on the 2026 GS locality pay tables. Other Information: The applicant must relocate to the selected city or be willing to commute. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Occasional overnight travel is required. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. This is a permanent, excepted service position that is being filled on a full-time basis. Flextime and/or alternate work schedules may be available. Veterans who are preference-eligible and who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions may apply. (see Required Documents section for specific Veterans Preference information). Selective Service: 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.
Do you have a desire to: help SSA manage its Social Security programs? analyze and solve problems? help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals? work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own? Informational Note: Creating a my Social Security (mySSA) account is a convenient way to access your personal Social Security information online. While not required for this position or the application process, you may wish to learn more about the benefits of having a mySSA account by visiting www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Salary : $63,795 - $82,938