General Attorney (Fraud) (GS-13/14)

Summary

The Social Security Administration (SSA), Law and Policy (LP) seeks attorneys to work directly in U.S. Attorney's Offices (USAO) as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSA). LP criminal fraud attorneys investigate and prosecute criminal fraud cases that undermine SSA and other government benefits programs. This vacancy announcement is a standing register, open continuously six months. Future cut-off dates are at the hiring management's discretion.

Duties

LP Fraud Attorneys are responsible for all stages of the criminal prosecution and collaborate with SSA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and other law enforcement agencies. 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 and engaged 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. Sworn in as SAUSAs, SSA criminal fraud attorneys investigate and prosecute criminal fraud cases. They are assigned to, and work in, a USAO. They work closely with the OIG and other law enforcement agencies. Like other federal prosecutors, L P's SAUSAs work under USAO management supervision and are responsible for all stages of the criminal case, (cont'd) including grand jury proceedings; indictments; motion practice; plea negotiations and hearings; jury trials; and sentencing hearings. Attorneys have significant responsibility for their own caseloads, but also receive intensive mentoring, training and support through LP and the USAO. 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 varied 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. 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. Applicants must hold a law degree from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association. Applicants must be a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, Commonwealth or Territory of the United States or District of Columbia and authorized and eligible to practice law. Holding an ACTIVE bar membership is a continuing requirement of the position. Experience: For GS-13: Requires 3 years of professional legal experience working as a licensed attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include handling criminal or civil litigation matters. For GS-14: Requires 4 years of professional legal experience working as a licensed attorney with at least one year of this experience being equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include handling criminal or civil litigation matters. Qualifying experience may include appearing in court; conducting trials, hearings, or other contested proceedings; participating in settlement or plea negotiations; preparing cases from the investigative stage through resolution; resolving litigation matters; and prosecuting or litigating cases from initial investigation through trial or other final disposition. Experience involving fraud, false statements, program-integrity issues, or other complex enforcement matters is preferred. 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

Applicants must possess a JD degree. TRANSCRIPTS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO SUBSTANTIATE POSSESSION OF THE REQUIRED AND CLAIMED EDUCATION. Submit a copy of your law school transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, degree, 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.

How you will be evaluated

Your application will be compared to the requirements for the position. It is your responsibility to include all information in your application that is needed to evaluate your qualifications and determine if you meet the requirements for the position. If there is insufficient information, your application will be found ineligible. Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13070206

How to apply

Please note that this announcement is open to attorneys who are members of a bar in good standing only. If you have passed the bar but have not been sworn in or do not have proof of being sworn in, you are not eligible to apply and your application will not be considered. A complete application consists of the following: Resume (must not exceed two pages) Occupational questionnaire Verification of active bar membership *see 'Required Documents' for more information Law school transcripts Legal writing sample List of three professional references Veterans Documentation (if applicable) *see 'Required Documents' for more information SF-50s (if applicable) NOTE: It is your responsibility to include all information needed to evaluate your qualifications and determine if you meet the requirements for the position. If there is insufficient information or if you do not include all of the required documents you will be found ineligible. This office will not solicit for additional information. The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight (EST) on 04/12/2027 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process. If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at Careers@ssa.gov. Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided. Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.

Other information

This vacancy announcement is a standing register, open continuously for six months. Additional candidates may be selected to fill future vacancies as they arise. Future cut-off dates are at the hiring management's discretion. If you are found qualified and eligible, your name will remain on the register through the closing date of the announcement. Locations: Washington, DC Boston, MA Portland, ME Las Cruces or Albuquerque, NM Kansas City, MO Shreveport or Lafayette, LA Nashville, TN Pittsburgh, PA Syracuse or Albany, NY Winston-Salem or Raleigh, NC Tallahassee, FL Salary: GS-13 $106,437 -$138,370 Rest of US (RUS) Locality Pay Area. GS-14 $125,776 - $163,514 Rest of US (RUS) Locality Pay Area. Actual salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. For information on other locality pay tables please visit OPM 2026 GS Locality Pay Tables. Other Information: There are 10 locations listed; for those states that have more than one city identified only one selection will be made. 1 selection will be made between Las Cruces, NM and Albuquerque, NM. 1 selection will be made between Shreveport, LA and Lafayette, LA. 1 selection will be made between Syracuse, NY and Albany, NY. 1 selection will be made between Winston-Salem, NC and Raleigh, NC. The applicant must relocate to the selected city or be willing to commute. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Occasional overnight travel is required. 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 may be available. 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.