Attorney-Adviser (General) Job in Alexandria, VA

Vacancy No. WTST243978028901 Department U.S. Special Operations Command (Army)
Salary $163,964.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/19/2024 Close Date 10/4/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Alexandria, VA


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

About the Position: This position is in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Employees occupying DCIPS positions are in the Excepted Service and must adhere to U.S. Code, Title 10, as well as Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25. This position is located at the Strategic Systems Support Elements HQ's Element, Alexandria, Virginia.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Duties

  • Serve as Intelligence and Operational Law advisor and subject matter expert to the CJA.
  • Provide expert authoritative legal advice to the command and staffs on intelligence and counterintelligence (Cl) activities, information operations (IO), and intelligence oversight.
  • Provide authoritative legal guidance concerning mission requirements and execution identifying substantive and procedural obstacles to operations and options for their resolution.
  • Render legal opinions, formulate and establish policy and aid in maintaining compliance with implementation procedures concerning contingency contracting, procurement, and acquisition topics.
  • Review contracts in excess of tens of millions of dollars and involve complex legal issues and novel legal approaches and precedent.
  • Advise the command and staff on all aspects of Government Information Practices, including responses to requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts (FOIA) exceptions and exemptions.
  • Employee must be able to advise brief and deal professionally with general/flag officers and members of the senior executive service within the DoD and other federal government agencies.
  • Facilitate training and career development opportunities consistent with Judge Advocate General Corps guidance and standards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • In accordance with Change 3 to AR 600-85, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program, individual must successfully pass a urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and periodically thereafter.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance with access to special access programs.
  • Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
  • Must pass the organization's Personnel Reliability Program which includes credit check. drug screening. polygraph and psychological evaluation.
  • Incumbent must sign a statement attesting to the understanding or DCIPS provisions.
  • Travel may be required up to 25% of the time.
  • Must be willing and able to participate in the organization's operations and training both CONUS and OCONUS.
  • This is position has been designated as Emergency Essential and is subject to deployment. *For more information, please see "Additional Information" below.
  • Individual must meet requirements specified on SF78, Certificate of Medical Examination, for position at overseas/deployed location and receive immunizations appropriate to the overseas location.
  • Emergency Essential employees must be exempted from military mobilization or recall obligations by being placed in the Standby Reserve or other appropriate action.
  • Emergency Essential Civilians are required to sign a DoD Form 2365. (See DoDD 1200.7, DoDD 1404.10, DoDD 1400.31, DoDD 1400.32; and AR 690-11.).
  • Required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450. *For more information, please see "Additional Information" below.

Qualifications

Who May Apply:
Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • United States Citizen Applying to a DCIPS Position


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 following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.

1. Ability to analyze and provide legal counsel on a wide range of military legal issues. Knowledge of statutes, regulations, and authorities related to military rights and administrative law.

2. Knowledge of Federal and/or Department of the Army Administrative Law to include statues, regulations, and case law related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), Administrative Investigations, Fiscal Law, Federal Acquisition Law, Ethics, Standards of Conduct, Executive Orders and Regulations.

3. Knowledge of Federal and/or DoD and Army civilian personnel laws and the ability to litigate sensitive cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commision and Merit Systems Protection Board.

4. Ability to produce clear and concise legal documents.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE INFORMATION: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Army considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's 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 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 type of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov.

The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:

EDUCATION: An applicant 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).

BAR MEMBERSHIP: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

EXPERIENCE: Applicant must have 2 or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LLM may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

PLEASE NOTE THAT REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION, TIME IN GRADE, AND EXPERIENCE MAY BE WAIVED BY THE APPLICABLE AUTHORITY AND THE REQUIREMENTS SHOULD NOT DETER ANY INDIVIDUAL FROM APPLYING FOR THE POSITION.

The following documents are required:

Official law school transcript and an official statement of relative standing in class. Photo static copies of documents are acceptable when applying but certified documents must be furnished before entering duty.

Official certificate showing that you are a member in good standing of the bar. The official certificate must be dated within three months of the date that the application package is submitted. The certificate is required to be submitted by all applicants to include attorneys currently appointed to positions under the qualifying authority of The Judge Advocate General (including active duty Army Judge Advocates).

A sworn (notarized) statement from you that your fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction to the best of your knowledge, or if either has been challenged, a sworn (notarized) statement concerning the facts and circumstances, together with any explanation that you deem appropriate may be submitted. As an alternative to a sworn (notarized) statement, a statement which includes a declaration under penalty of perjury may be submitted in the following format: "I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct...executed on (date)...(your signature)." (28 U.S.C. 1746). The statement must be dated within three months of the date the application package is submitted. The statement is required to be submitted by all applicants to include attorneys currently appointed to positions under the qualifying authority of The Judge Advocate General (including active duty Army Judge Advocates).

Examples of writing skills as demonstrated by legal briefs, memoranda, or letters. These examples should total no more than ten pages in length. Extracts of selected sections of larger documents are acceptable.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF AN APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE THEIR LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS, CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING, OR FITNESS TO PRACTICE STATEMENT, HE/SHE SHOULD NOT BE DETERRED FROM APPLYING FOR THE POSITIONS. THE DOCUMENTS BELOW ARE REQUIRED FOR AN ATTORNEY TO ENTER ON DUTY; HOWEVER, THEY ARE PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED, AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
  • Required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5 CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USEOGE, 06/08). Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, dated 17 March 2011.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • This is a Legal Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • An Incentive may be authorized, if determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

Note:
This is position has been designated as Emergency Essential and is subject to deployment. This position is designated as Emergency Essential to support the Army's mobilization and wartime mission during periods of increased tension or mobilization. ln addition, Department of the Army (DA) civilians who occupy emergency essential positions overseas must sign a statement of understanding that as a requirement of the position, they will remain in the event of hostilities or mobilization until relieved by proper authority. E-E employees may be required to undergo nuclear-biological and chemical training and to participate in readiness tests, mobilization. alerts. and field training exercises. Employees must pass a medical examination and receive required immunizations for the overseas/deployed location.

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, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Required Documents

WARNING: DO NOT INCLUDE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKET! Application packages that contain Classified information WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Should you submit a resume or any other document as part of your application package and it is confirmed that any of the information is Classified, in addition to being found ineligible for consideration for this position, your Security Office will be notified to determine if any further action is warranted.

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc). Please review the following links to see which documents you need to provide to prove your eligibility to apply: Applicant Checklist for Internal/Merit Promotion Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • Proof of Eligibility to Apply: Your application must include the documents which prove you are eligible to apply for the vacancy. The Proof of Eligibility document describes authorities commonly used in merit promotion recruitment and what document(s) are required to prove you meet the requirements of the authority. You must meet the requirements of at least one of the authorities listed in the Who May Apply section above to receive further consideration.
  • This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
  • This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

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 questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/04/2024 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 (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12538901).
  • 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. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

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

Army Applicant Help Desk
Address
ST-IC-W4JLAA STRATEGIC SYSTEMS SUPPORT ELEMENT
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.


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