Employment Opportunities

Investigation and Prosecution Division. The Investigation and Prosecution Division investigates, analyzes and prosecutes prohibited personnel practice complaints once they are referred by the Complaints Examining Unit. The staff in this unit may attempt to resolve complaints through negotiated settlements with agency officials. Attorneys also prosecute complaints before the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Alternative Dispute Resolution. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit mediates selected complaints from two divisions -- Prohibited Personnel Practices and USERRA. Alternative dispute resolution can yield results that are faster, less expensive and more tailored to the parties' needs than traditional legal routes.

Complaints Examining Unit. The Complaints Examining Unit is the first point of contact in OSC for individuals alleging reprisal for whistleblowing and other prohibited personnel practices. The Units' staff conduct initial reviews to determine whether further investigation is warranted by the Investigation and Prosecution Division (or whether the matter is a candidate for alternative dispute resolution).

Disclosure Unit. The Disclosure Unit receives and evaluates claims of wrongdoing within the executive branch of the federal government from federal employees, former employees and applicants for federal employment. This unit's staff review five types of disclosures specified in the statute: violations of a law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; a gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; and a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. If the claim meets the statutory threshold, the matter is referred to the Secretary of the agency involved for an investigation, which culminates in a report to OSC. After the completion of OSC's review and any follow-up, the report is transmitted to the President and relevant Congressional oversight committees.

Hatch Act Unit. The Hatch Act Unit enforces the Hatch Act by investigating complaints to determine whether a violation occurred. After investigating a complaint and determining that a violation has occurred, the Unit will either issue a warning letter to the subject, attempt to informally resolve the violation, negotiate a settlement or prosecute the case before the Merit Systems Protection Board. The Unit is also responsible for outreach, training and advisory opinions.

Office of General Counsel. The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice to OSC program areas. In addition, attorneys in this division are responsible for OSC's Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act programs, for defending OSC in litigation in federal court, and for advising on any area of law that may affect a federal agency, such as ethics, appropriations or information security.

​Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). This Unit receives, investigates, resolves, and (if necessary) litigates USERRA complaints against federal executive agencies. USERRA staff review USERRA complaints and gather relevant information to determine whether a violation occurred. If staff concludes there is sufficient evidence of a violation, OSC attempts to correct the violation with the agency involved and to obtain appropriate relief for the claimant. If such efforts are unsuccessful, OSC may represent the claimant and file an action before the Merit Systems Protection Board.

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PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWS - ROTATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has as its primary mission the safeguarding of the merit system in Federal employment by protecting employees and applicants against prohibited personnel practices (PPPs), particularly from reprisal for "whistleblowing." (5 U.S.C. § 2302) The agency also operates as a secure channel for federal whistleblower disclosures of violations of law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; abuse of authority; and substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. (5 U.S.C. §1213) In addition, OSC issues advice on the Hatch Act and enforces its restrictions on political activity by government employees. (5 U.S.C. §§ 1502, 7321-23) Finally, OSC protects the civilian employment and reemployment rights of military service members under USERRA, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (38 U.S.C. §§ 4301-4335).

The agency is seeking Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) for rotational opportunities.  Fellows with legal, investigative, human capital, journalism, mediation and information technology backgrounds are preferred. Fellows will report directly to the Unit Chiefs to help them execute the agency's high-profile mission.

OSC is committed to enhancing government accountability and performance by the realization of a diverse, inclusive Federal workplace where employees embrace excellence in service, uphold merit system principles, are encouraged to disclose wrongdoing, and are safeguarded against reprisals and other unlawful employment practices.

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