Attorney-Adviser (International/Military) Job

Vacancy No. DSCA-25-12659550-DH Department Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Salary $141,041.00 to $185,234.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/7/2025 Close Date 12/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Newport, RIArlington, VA


Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. To view Defense Security Cooperation Agency's, Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) current Attorney vacancies, please go to the Defense Security Cooperation University's (DSCU) career website at:https://dscu.edu/careers. Direct all questions about vacancy announcements to the listed point of contact.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) is recruiting for various Attorney-Adviser (International/Military) positions located in either Newport, RI or Arlington, VA. DIILS is a joint agency activity under the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), within the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU).

DIILS is the lead Department of Defense Security Cooperation resource for global legal engagement with partner nation security sector institutions and personnel. As a component of the DSCU, DIILS' broad mission is to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of foreign security forces to respond to shared security challenges in a responsible, accountable, and legally compliant manner. DIILS strives to achieve partner nation legal capacity through activities that promote the rule of law, enhance compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law standards, and support effective and responsible democratic governance.

As a DIILS Attorney:

  • You'll have an immediate opportunity to contribute to global security cooperation activities across a range of mission areas.
  • You'll create, implement, manage, and evaluate and/or provide expert consultation and support for a portfolio of legal education, training, and/or advising programs to establish, enable, and/or strengthen relevant legal capacities within the security establishments of foreign governments.
  • You'll design legal engagement programs tailored to the partner nation and/or participants and designed to achieve strategic and policy priorities.
  • You'll assemble and lead diverse teams of subject matter experts.
  • You'll be trained as a Security Cooperation Workforce professional.
  • You'll have an opportunity to maintain and expand expertise in legal aspects relevant to assigned SC programs, such as: Legal Authorities, Doctrine, and Policy; Legal Advising for Military Commanders and Operations; Maritime Security and Enforcement; Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response; Cyber, Space, Emergent Technology Law and Hybrid Conflict; Human Rights/Law of Armed Conflict Compliance; Military Justice Systems; and legal aspects of Combating Terrorism, Combating Corruption, and Defense Support to Civilian Authorities.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally: May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays and/or overtime.
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment or Relocation Incentives: May be authorized.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final 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.
  • Remote: No
  • Work will require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • This position is not part of a bargaining unit, BUS Code 8888.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-14 grade level if you fulfill the following qualifications:
  • 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)

Preferred competencies and experience will be identified in each vacancy announcement. 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 and in the vacancy 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.

Education

Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.abanet.org/legaled/approvedlawschools/approved.html

You must be a graduate from an accredited law school, and be an active member in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia Bar.

AND

Possess a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from an accredited law school at the time of applying for the position. A copy of law school transcripts must be submitted with your application.

NOTE: Failure to provide law school transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

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

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: Foreign Education

Additional information

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

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

*NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Please review the information listed in each vacancy announcement at: https://dscu.edu/careers.

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.)

Required Documents

The following documents are required to be submitted when applying for DIILS attorney positions, however, please follow all instructions on the specific vacancy announcement on https://dscu.edu/careers:
1. Résumé and statement of interest: If multiple resumes are submitted by an applicant, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed for the qualifications and referred for selection consideration if eligible.

    • Your resume may be submitted in any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
    • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e.," HRS per week and month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present").
    • For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
2. Law School Transcripts: 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.

3. Evidence of active membership in the bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A copy of your bar card or letter from the bar may be acceptable evidence

.
4. If available, two recent performance appraisals preferred.
5. Veteran's Documentation: If former military personnel, a copy of the most recently issued Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD 214 reflecting your discharge.
6. Professional references who may be contacted - minimum of two.
7. If you are a current Federal Employee, we will need a current copy of your most recent SF-50. Please redact Personal Identifiable Information (i.e., SSN, DOB).

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

For instructions on how to apply, please review the information listed in each vacancy announcement on the DSCU career website at: https://dscu.edu/careers.

The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy And gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

- OPM Equal Employment
- Office of Equal Opportunity

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace, or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:

- When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for a job.

- When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to gain access to the workplace, And
- When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to enjoy equal access to benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., details, trainings, office-sponsored events).

- Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations
- How to contact an agency

Legal and regulatory guidance
Financial Suitability
Social Security number request
Privacy Act
Selective Service
New employee probationary period
Signature & False statements

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:
https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Agency contact information

DSCA Servicing Team
Address
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
1851 S. Bell
Room 501
Arlington, VA 22240
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

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 the documentation you submitted.

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

This job announcement can be used to fill additional vacancies up to 90 days after the closing date.

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d


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


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements