ATTORNEY-ADVISER (GENERAL) Job in Helena, MT

Vacancy No. MT-12603813-T5-25-005 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $122,198.00 to $158,860.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/8/2024 Close Date 11/22/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Helena, MT


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE Indefinite with possible permanent POSITION.

This National Guard position is for an Attorney Advisor (General), Position Description Number T5915900 and is part of the JAG/Chief of Staff, MT National Guard.

Also advertised as Title 32 (Area I-IV) as Job/JVA #: MT-12603401-AR-25-004

Selecting Official: Col Crowe

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is a Title 5 excepted bargaining unit indefinite with possible permanent status position. Open to MT NG CAT 1-7; (Includes internal applicants, former MT NG members, federal employees and the public) see assessment for category selections ;

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES 1. General Law: As General Counsel, is responsible for the following functions: Furnishes legal advice and services on all matters arising from, or pertaining to, activities of the state National Guard and state militia. Assures that both Adjutant General, head of the state military department and staff elements receive the best possible legal advice and recommendations for actions. Provides options, alternative courses of action, and recommendations in the resolution of problems or the accomplishment of desired results. Responsible for preventive law, which requires foreseeing potential issues, taking proactive action to deflect, and resolving the concern. Must be fully knowledgeable of Department of Defense (DoD), service, NGB, state policies and operations, and local policies in order to recognize potential issues and problems before they arise, and to provide meaningful input into appropriate resolutions. . Exercises oversight over the day-to-day legal operations within the state National Guard and state militia. Reviews state National Guard operations, and takes necessary action where required, to assure competent functioning. Assures that policy guidance from DoD, NGB, service departments, and state decisions on legal and policy concerns are understood and carried out as intended. Oversees, drafts, and reviews all federal contracts from RFP to post-award for legal sufficiency prior to submission to US Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO).
2. LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT COUNSEL DUTIES: Provides legal advice and assistance to state NG on the full spectrum of civilian personnel management and administration including difficult issues involving staffing, recruitment, assignment, performance management, pay and allowances, training, promotion, discipline, appeals and dispute resolution. Incumbent prepares exhaustively researched, well-reasoned and well written precedent-setting legal opinions on civilian personnel law, management- employee relations, as well as interpretation and application of the state and federal Constitution, statutes, Executive Orders, rules and regulations as they pertain to civilian personnel management and administration. Renders opinions concerning conflicts of interest and the Joint Ethics Regulation on all aspects of civilian personnel employment. Serves as the state NG ethics officer. Advises state NG human resource officer (HRO) on special assignments issues, for example: mobilization planning and retaining civilian employees of all categories.
3. TRIAL ATTORNEY DUTIES: Acts as trial attorney for employment related administrative hearings, investigations, and litigation for state NG. Appears before investigators, examiners, and Administrative law judges, representing state NG at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity commission (EEOC), Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Formulates and proposes state NG's litigation strategy and legal position on issues of first impression involving interpretation and application of laws, regulations and policy issuances. Confers with, guides, and advises other DOD, service, NG, and state attorneys general lawyers concerning litigation strategy, dispute resolution, and defense of state NG. In an effort to avoid litigation, incumbent prepares position statements for responsible management officials concerning issues of fact and law necessary to resolve issues without trial.
4. COUNSEL FOR CONTRACT AND FISCAL LAW DUTIES: Incumbent serves as state NG contract and fiscal law counsel. In this role the incumbent provides expert, authoritative legal advice to the state NG on all aspects of contract and fiscal law. Incumbent further provides authoritative interpretation and application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR); and reviews proposed contracts for legal sufficiency. Reviews Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs), Justification and Analysis (J&As), Economy Act Determination and Findings (D&Fs), expenditures for legal sufficiency under the FAR and compliance with fiscal law and policy. Reviews and processes AR 15-6, command directed investigations and other investigations relating to contractual/fiscal issues. Advises on potential conflicts of interest under current ethics laws from a contractual/fiscal perspective.
5. OTHER LEGAL DUTIES: Provides oversight of a broad scope of responsibilities in the areas of general law. Incumbent renders professional advice and legal opinions on (1) security, intelligence, proper use memorandum, CYBER; (2) guidance for state NG participation in community and National Security Significant Events (NSSE) and the activities of private associations; (3) inter- service support agreements; (4) official Investigations by Federal agencies; and, (5) domestic operations law counsel including defense support of civil authorities.
6. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • The employee must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
  • This position requires the employee to frequently travel away from the normal duty station on military and commercial aircraft.
  • Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • The employee is required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • The employee may be recalled to duty.
  • This position requires employee to occasionally work under adverse environmental conditions.
  • Incumbent must be an active member of the bar in good standing in any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  • This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration.
  • This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.
  • Incumbent may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION & LICENSURE:
Must possess first law degree, a LL.B or a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and are an active member in good standing of the Montana bar, or have the ability to become an active member in the Montana bar within six months of employment.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Most possess at least 3 years of post-J.D. legal experience, one (year) of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Specialized experience is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. Experience equivalent to the next lowest grade (GS13) includes preparing pleadings, motions, affidavits, and other materials involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting civil or criminal litigation (to include appellate practitioners); analyzing cases or requests for legal sufficiency; and providing expert legal advice and consultation; or serving as a judicial clerk who conducted legal research, drafted opinions, prepared bench, research and trial memoranda, performed legal analysis, and briefed the judge on various legal issues; formulated recommendations to senior managers; developing policy or issue briefs and reports; drafting congressional or other hearing testimony, and preparing advocacy and strategy documents for specific policy issues.

All announcements (use under specialized experience):
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:


Your application must contain a DETAILED description (how, when, where, and at what level) of both civilian and military training/experience/education as it relates to the KSA/Competencies, general and specialized experience and any other requirements (certifications, education, selective placement factors) that are in announcement and/or questionnaire. If resume is not detailed in these requirements; your application ranking on your responses may be lowered/changed or you could deemed not eligible/qualified. NOTE: You may add a supplement page to your resume to address requirements separately; must show where, when (Day/Month/Year), how and at what level you received the training, experience or education requirements.
For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here. (use link tool in USAS to link "click here" with URL): https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

Education

You must provide copies of transcripts. licensures or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

PLACEMENT STATUS/TENURE OF SELECTEE FOR A NON PERMANENT T5 Position:

TEMPORARY PROMOTION/REASSIGNMENT/CHANGE TO LOWER GRADE - For Title 5 permanent current employee as selectees only: This is an obligated position. If a permanent employee in the Title 5 MT NG Excepted civil service employee accepts this position, he/she will retain their permanent status AND have rights to return to their previous Title 5 position.


TEMPORARY PROMOTION/REASSIGNMENT/CHANGE TO LOWER GRADE - For Title 5 Term current employee as selectees only: This is an obligated position. If a Term employee in the Title 5 MT NG Excepted civil service employee accepts this position, he/she will retain their Term status AND may have rights to return to their previous Title 5 position (if still available).
INDEFINITE APPOINTMENT - For Current Title 32 selectees (any Status) or Title 5 NTE/VRA employees: This is an obligated position. If an on-board employee in the Title 32 or NTE T5 excepted civil service accepts this position, he/she will convert to a T5 Term appointment (tenure 3) with possible permanent status OR without possible permanent status. This employee will have NO reemployment rights to their previous T32 position; but may be reinstated to Title 5 NTE/VRA position if still available.

INDEFINITE APPOINTMENT - State National Guard Members not currently a MT NG federal employee: This is an obligated position. Selectee will be appointed as a TERM T5 Term employment with possible permanent status OR without possible permanent status (tenure 3).

Benefits

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.

Review our benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. YOUR RESUME must substantiate your qualification claims (ADDRESS ALL THE requirements / competencies/KSAs / General exp. / Specialized experience) as well as any ratings you provide on the assessment. If you rate yourself as qualified on a requirement or level on questionnaire that is NOT supported by your application package on the assessment, your qualification/responses may be adjusted and/or you may be deemed not eligible for consideration for this position.
If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire, if used, to determine your level of experience If you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
THOSE LISTED IN ADVERTISEMENT QUESTIONAIRRE.

Required Documents

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application package, if below required items are missing or incomplete and resume doesn't address the qualification and your questionnaire ratings; the applicant may be deemed unqualified, rating reduced or veteran's preference not counted.

1) Resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month, Day and Year, e.g., 02/15/2017, Feb 15, 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed (required). Your application MUST contain a DETAILED description (how, when, where, and at what level) of both civilian and military training/experience/education as it relates to the KSA/Competencies, general and specialized experience and any other requirements (certifications, education, selective placement factors) that are in announcement and/or questionnaire. If resume is not detailed in these requirements; your application ranking on your responses may be lowered/changed or you could deemed not eligible/qualified. NOTE: You may add a supplement page to your resume to address requirements separately; must show where, when (Day/Month/Year), how and at what level you received the training, experience or education requirements.

2. Other required or supporting documents: All those items used to qualify applicant and those listed on announcement as required MUST be submitted. Other REQUIRED documents if open to these categories: include for Cat 5 applicants: Military membership documents showing honorable service (i.e. NGB 22/22A) for former/retired MT NG members of this agency; for Cat 6 current Federal/reinstated federal employees: copy of most recent SF50s. Copy of most current SF50 is recommended for this agency's Federal employees). Required documents may include High School Diploma and certifications. A copy of transcripts MUST be submitted with resume if using education as substitute to experience or education is listed as requirement. Submit all transcripts if using multiple degrees to qualify. Official transcripts may be required to be submitted during interview/selection process.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12603813

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.


To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Michael Herrin
Address
MT COJS
1956 MT MAJO STREET
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.