Summary
This is a Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA) position with duty in the Office of General Counsel, Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). The General Counsel of the Department of Defense is dual hatted as the DLSA Director; DLSA provides a full range of legal advice and services to officials of the Defense Agencies and the DoD Field Activities.
Read the entire announcement before starting the application process.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Military spouses
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to All U.S. Citizens. All qualified applicants are considered and Veterans' preference does not apply.
Duties
The Defense Commissary Agency is located on Fort Lee, in the greater Richmond, VA area (RVA). Richmond is a popular travel destination with a reputation for good food as well as local vineyards, breweries and distilleries. Virginia, including the Fort Lee and RVA areas, is rich in history and culture with easy access to myriad outdoor activities. Popular nearby destinations include Washington, D.C., Charlottesville and Williamsburg, VA, and Virginia Beach. It is also only a couple of hours away from the Blue Ridge Mountains and other popular east coast beaches as well as state and national parks and wildlife refuges.
The Office of General Counsel, DeCA, has a robust and varied legal practice in support of DeCA and its mission. Our attorneys provide legal advice, counsel and representation in substantive areas including federal labor and employment law, commercial law, fiscal law, procurement law, construction law, environmental law, government standards of conduct and ethics, administrative law, and issues arising under the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. Our attorneys represent DeCA before various administrative bodies and provide litigation support to U.S. Attorney Offices for matters pending in Federal courts.
As an Assistant General Counsel for Commercial Law, the incumbent reports to the Deputy General Counsel for Commercial Law and assists in discharging the responsibility of DeCA OGC to provide legal advice, counsel and representation in all aspects of the commercial law portfolio, including but not limited to contracts, fiscal law, environmental law, government ethics and standards of conduct, construction law, international law, administrative and civil law, the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, business law, intellectual property and data rights, issues of statutory and regulatory interpretation and the drafting of proposed legislation. The incumbent independently performs in-depth legal research and analysis, as well as writing briefs, legal memoranda, and other documents. The incumbent represents the agency before third parties, including but not limited to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and the Government Accountability Office, and is responsible for the investigation, preparation and presentation of the agency's positions and defenses before such tribunals. The incumbent addresses difficult and novel legal policy questions where frequently there is an absence of clearly applicable precedents. The incumbent provides support to the Department of Justice in matters litigated in Federal courts. The incumbent may perform the duties of the Deputy General Counsel for Commercial Law in his/her absence and other duties as assigned.
This position is in the Excepted Service
The Defense Commissary Agency is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency
Who May Apply: U.S. citizens.
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 documents (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 an SF 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. (SF15, 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.) If two of more applicants for an attorney position are determined to be equally "best qualified" for the position, but one of the applicants is a preference eligible veteran, the preference eligible veteran has preference over the non-preference eligible applicant.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
- Occasional Travel
- Business travel is required less than 20% of the time
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
- PCS may be authorized.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- U.S. Citizenship is Required
- Direct Deposit of Pay is Required
- Tour of Duty: Full Time
- FLSA: Exempt
- Bargaining Unit: No
- License/Certification: Bar Certificate of Good Standing in Active Status
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants with a Permanent Resident Card are authorized to live and work in the U.S. but are not eligible for employment in positions requiring U.S. citizenship. If selected, proof of citizenship is required.
- Meet minimum age requirement. See the Additional Information.
- Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
- Appointment is subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
- Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness outcome, as determined by a completed background investigation. New federal employees will be fingerprinted.
- Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
- May be subject to a probationary/trial period.
- Direct deposit of pay is required.
- This position is in the Excepted Service
Qualifications
- Qualification requirements for Attorney positions can be found in DoD Instruction 1442.02, "Personnel Actions Involving Civilian Attorneys."
- The minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration
- Applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD) from that institution.
- Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be an active member of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Applicant must have professional legal experience in excess of 3 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
- Basis for Rating: Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the position
SELECTIVE FACTORS: Selection will be based on the judgment of the selecting official as to which applicant is best qualified to perform the duties of the position. The breadth and depth of relevant experience and knowledge, and the quality of past performance, will be the primary considerations used for selection. Important selection factors are demonstrated strong legal analytical ability; excellence in communication skills, including written and oral communications, client relations/customer support and interpersonal skills; trial experience; knowledge of the law of the military installation, administrative law, federal procurements, fiscal law, environmental law, and the standards of conduct. Other desirable selection factors are knowledge of personnel law, dispute resolution, intellectual property, and the law relating to independent contractors. A selection panel may be used and oral interviews may be conducted with all, with some, or with none of the applicants, solely at the option of the selecting official.
Other Requirements:
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened for basic qualification requirements, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position as described in this vacancy announcement.
·You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
·Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
·One year trial/probationary period may be required.
·You must include the announcement number on your application
As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate your level of experience in the position's competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics).
Overtime: Occasional
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
Bargaining Unit Status: Not Covered
Obligated Position: No
Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No.
DoD criteria not met.
Telework eligible: Yes - as determined by the agency policy
Remote work eligible: No
PCS Authorized: Yes
Education
You MUST provide transcripts and/or other documentation to support your educational claims.
Transcripts. REQUIRED when using education to meet qualifications or when education is required.
Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities.
Additional information
Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service.
- Positions will be filled under the DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, Title 5, United States Code, Section 9905.
- Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
- The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible.
- Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration.
- Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326.
- PCS Is Authorized: Most civilian PCS entitlements are now taxable. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income. More information is available at Civilian Relocation/PCS Tax Changes.
The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration.
- Submitting an incomplete application package, such as missing documents, illegible documents, and/or missing information necessary to determine qualifications and eligibility. A resume reflecting part-time (PT)/full-time (FT) or nothing rather than the number of hours worked per week (e.g., 40, 30, 20, etc.) is incomplete.
- Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents.
- Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you.
- Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume.
- Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses.
- Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and narrative) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Required Documents
To apply, please e-mail your 2-page resume and cover letter to the DoW OGC Resume Bank at
osd.pentagon.ogc.mbx.dodogcresumebank@mail.mil and also send a copy to
deca.lee.hq.mbx.general-counsel@mail.mil. The subject line of your e-mail should state "Resume File [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME], Office of General Counsel, Defense Commissary Agency.
Your resume and cover letter must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on [insert day and date].
Documents to be submitted later:
1) An example of writing skills demonstrated by a legal brief, memorandum, letter, etc. (five pages or less).
2) If the applicant is a current Federal employee, a copy of the applicant's most recent performance appraisal (or an explanation of why a performance appraisal cannot be provided), plus the applicant's most recent non-award SF-50 or DD3434.
3) Applicants who are not currently serving in a DoD civilian attorney position must also submit:
a) a transcript of the applicant's law school records with an official statement of his/her relative standing in his/her class, if obtainable. A copy of the transcript is acceptable for the application but the official transcript must be submitted prior to entrance on duty;
b) a certificate showing active membership of a qualifying state bar (see Bar Membership above). A copy is acceptable for the application but the official certificate or on-line link to verify the information, presented prior to entrance on duty.
c) a statement that his/her fitness to practice law or their conduct as an attorney has never been challenged. If fitness or conduct has been challenged, a statement explaining the circumstances must be provided.
The successful applicant will be required to submit an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of assuming the position.
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, please e-mail your 2-page resume and cover letter to the DoW OGC Resume Bank at osd.pentagon.ogc.mbx.dodogcresumebank@mail.mil and also send a copy to deca.lee.hq.mbx.general-counsel@mail.mil. The subject line of your e-mail should state "Resume File [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME], Office of General Counsel, Defense Commissary Agency.
Your resume and cover letter must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on [insert day and date].
Documents to be submitted later:
1) An example of writing skills demonstrated by a legal brief, memorandum, letter, etc. (five pages or less).
2) If the applicant is a current Federal employee, a copy of the applicant's most recent performance appraisal (or an explanation of why a performance appraisal cannot be provided), plus the applicant's most recent non-award SF-50 or DD3434.
3) Applicants who are not currently serving in a DoD civilian attorney position must also submit:
a) a transcript of the applicant's law school records with an official statement of his/her relative standing in his/her class, if obtainable. A copy of the transcript is acceptable for the application but the official transcript must be submitted prior to entrance on duty;
b) a certificate showing active membership of a qualifying state bar (see Bar Membership above). A copy is acceptable for the application but the official certificate or on-line link to verify the information, presented prior to entrance on duty.
c) a statement that his/her fitness to practice law or their conduct as an attorney has never been challenged. If fitness or conduct has been challenged, a statement explaining the circumstances must be provided.
The successful applicant will be required to submit an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of assuming the position.
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice after the hiring manager makes a selection.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.