Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
- Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
- Employee must maintain current certifications
- Attorney appointments are subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
- Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans’ preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
- Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
- Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- The employee may be recalled to duty, may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays, and may be required to work overtime
- Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station in performance of temporary duty assignment (TDY) to include travelling on military or commercial aircraft
- Centrally managed position
Qualifications
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
- You MUST have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD).
- In addition, at the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status with a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status.
Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirement: you must have professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge and experience of applicable laws, regulations, precedents, rules, procedures, policies and programs pertaining to the specialized areas of legal practice of Fiscal Law, International Law, National Security Law, Administrative Law, General Law, Ethics, and Adverse Actions in order to exercise independent professional judgment and broad discretion in the performance of rendering legal advice and representational duties.
2. Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs of a military legal office at the USCENTCOM Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, and can gather, assemble, and analyze facts, draw conclusions, conduct analysis, devise recommended solutions, and package the entire process in briefings, papers, or reports.
3. Comprehensive knowledge of policies, programs, and operations with specialized knowledge of fiscal and contract law, international agreements, counter-terrorism operations, weapons and force structure, counter-drugs, intelligence, command campaign plans, detention operations, manpower, basing rights, logistics, political and military affairs, public affairs, human rights, communications, investigations, and Legislative issues.
4. Ability to interpret and apply statutory, regulatory, and procedural requirements to unusually difficult and complicated issues. In addition, ability to interpret and apply historical and current caselaw reflecting the judicial philosophy used in the interpretation and application of the law to a given set of facts and circumstances that may be highly complex and/or a case of first impressions in emerging fields of military operations.
5. Skill in analyzing fiscal, international, national security, and domestic law and apply the law and relevant international standards to specific military situations, resulting in conclusions which are legally supportable by statue, case law, and implementing policy and regulations.
6. Skill in devising negotiating strategies, and then implement those strategies in negotiations with senior Department of Defense and Department of Justice attorneys or other officials and can communicate both orally and in writing to sufficiently maintain effective and cooperative work relationships with representatives of military and civilian organizations.
Ability to write clear, understandable legal opinions, in emerging fields of law that have few if any legal precedents on highly technical, complex subjects having national and international impact. Ability to communicate and advocate effectively, both orally and in written format, with personnel within and outside the Department of Defense and the legal career field to effectively develop and implement legal guidance and guide negotiators by identifying and developing interests, options, alternatives, and proposals.
At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status and in good standing with a bar of the highest court of a State, US commonwealth, US territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status and dated within four months of application.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- The incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (JD) (or equivalent) degree. The incumbent must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of a US state, territory, or commonwealth. A Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in contract, fiscal, international law (or equivalent) and five years' experience dealing directly with international law matters is highly desirable; or if the applicant does not have an LL.M., 10 years' experience dealing directly with public fiscal and contract law, international law, and national security law issues.
- Position is designated special-sensitive and incumbent must be able to obtain and retain a TOPSECRET (TS) security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based on a Tier 5 investigation. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.
- This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) underthe Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic shortnotice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.
- Incumbent is subject to uncommon tour of duty hours to include proficiency shifts, rotating shifts,nights, weekends, and holidays on an infrequent basis. Extended shift work (12 hours), and off-duty hours on-call, particularly during Command exercises, special events, and emergencies.
- Required to disclose any pending ethics or other judicial or miscellaneous allegations under review,including any adverse findings by a state bar or disciplinary committee and must consent to provide aletter for each state were admitted demonstrating good standing.
Education
Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth. The attorney must maintain such bar membership in at least one jurisdiction during the entire course of employment with the Air Force.
Additional information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Writing Example: Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a writing sample demonstrating your legal analytical skills.
120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
- Online Application: Questionnaire
- Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
- License: At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status with a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214,
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
- Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
- Branch of Armed Forces
- Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
- Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
- Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
- Expected character of service/discharge (honorable/general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
- Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
- Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander
NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.
NOTICE OF VETERANS' 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 to their submissions.
Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim Veterans Preference must submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service, and 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.)
NOTE: Applicants for attorney appointments do not require veterans' preference in order to be eligible for consideration.
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.