ATTORNEY-ADVISER (GENERAL) Job in Arlington, VA

Vacancy No. DSCA-25-12693875-DH Department Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Salary $167,603.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/18/2025 Close Date 3/4/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Arlington, VA


Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of a vacancy. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. To apply for this vacancy, email all required information to dsca.ncr.ogc.mbx.fo-admin@mail.mil. The subject line should state "Resume File: [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME]." Please also reference this position in the body of your email. All questions regarding vacancy announcements should be directed to the same organizational mailbox.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

As a ATTORNEY-ADVISER (GENERAL) at the GS-0905-15 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Provide legal support and counsel on a broad array of administrative and personnel issues, including those related to supporting a large excepted service, term appointment workforce.
  • Serve as an Ethics Counselor and provide legal support and counsel on ethics/standards of conduct and policy related issues, including those unique to DoD academic universities and their faculty and staff.
  • Provides legal advice on the full range of international, operational, security assistance, and contract and fiscal law issues inherent in the development and execution of DSCA policies and programs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • This is a drug testing designated position.
  • This is an Excepted Service position.
  • WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
  • OVERTIME: Occasionally
  • FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA): Exempt
  • FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Required
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is not telework eligible
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final Top Secret security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Must be able to pass pre-employment and random drug testing.
  • May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
  • This position is not part of a bargaining unit, BUS Code 8888.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-15 level, applicants must have:

- First professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) accredited by the American Bar Association; and
- Active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. (A copy of the applicant's bar card or letter from the bar may be acceptable evidence); and
- Professional legal experience in excess of 3 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Qualification standards for attorney positions may be found in DoD Directive 1442.2, "Personnel Actions Involving Civilian Attorneys" at DoD Instruction 1442.02, September 30, 2010 (whs.mil) and include:

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened for competencies needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the DUTIES section of this announcement. The QUALITY of experience relates to how closely or to what extent your experience, education, and training are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the announced position. Your resume must show you have the competencies necessary to successfully perform the work of the position at the appropriate level. Salary will be set within the range specified in this vacancy announcement based on the complexity of work to be performed, the selectee's experience, education, training, and availability of funds.

Specialized experience required for this position is:
  • Relevant professional legal experience in excess of 3 years commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position and in the areas of administrative and personnel law and/or security cooperation law.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

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.

Veteran's Preference:
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") to their submissions. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov.)

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 application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made.

All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. We will evaluate your application for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience meets the qualifications and other basic requirements are eligible for referral and selection consideration.

Required Documents

Resume

Assessment Questionnaire

Law School Transcript: We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain the applicant's name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned.

Statement regarding your bar status and standing. You must provide proof that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.

A statement as to whether or not you have ever been found by any tribunal to have committed any crime or other act reflecting upon your suitability to practice law.

Additional documents you may be required to submit vary based on what authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying for one of the categories such as a veteran, a current or former permanent Federal employee, ICTAP, etc.).

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

Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. To apply for this vacancy, email all required information to dsca.ncr.ogc.mbx.fo-admin@mail.mil. The subject line should state "Resume File: [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME]." Please also reference this position in the body of your email. All questions regarding vacancy announcements should be directed to the same organizational mailbox.

Agency contact information

DSCA Servicing Team
Address
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
1851 S. Bell
Room 501
Arlington, VA 22240
US

Next steps

If selected, additional documentation may be required prior to appointment.
Once you successfully complete the application process, you will receive a notification of receipt. Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements, and you will receive a notification. A review will be made of your online questionnaire and the documentation you submitted to support your responses. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.


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


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