• Provides legal counsel in all aspects of administrative investigations such as alleged civilian employee misconduct and mishandling of classified information.
• Resolves legal questions in Congressional and Legislative matters including, but not limited to, requests for information from Congress and legal reviews of legislative proposals
• Handles complex and urgent legal issues in administrative law such as matters of policy and publications, regulation, agreements, strategic communications, international topics, public health, and operations of a Combat Support Agency.
• Advises leadership on resolution to requests under the Freedom of Information Act and matters related to the Privacy and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Acts.
• Performs other Administrative Law duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.
• Must be a graduate of a law school possessing the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a State or District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or a U.S. commonwealth.
• Business travel may be required up to 5% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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:

• Skill in identifying legal issues and conducting relevant legal research within Administrative Law, Labor Law, or Health Law.
• Skill in administrative hearings practice.
• Skill in oral and written advocacy.
• Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.

NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:
There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Defense Health Agency 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 types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/).

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. Time-in grade may be waived for current federal employees at management's discretion. Duties described reflect the full performance GS-14 level.

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 or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three months of the date the application is submitted. If the document has been ordered, but not arrived, you may provide a screenshot of your certificate (clearly showing a time/date within the last 90 days) which validates your active status.

Experience Required for the GS-14:
Applicant must have three (3) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

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 and supporting documents) will be evaluated for basic qualification requirements and for the skills needed to perform the duties of the position, as described in this vacancy announcement and identified by the Selecting Official.

Veteran's preference requirements do not apply to attorney positions in the excepted service, however the principles of veteran's preference will be followed to the extent which is administratively feasible.

Time in Grade: The Qualifying Authorities (QA's) will make a determination as to the applicability of time in grade based on the requirements of the position. If you are currently employed as an attorney by the Federal government you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position being filled.

The following documents are required to be submitted as part of your application package:

1. Your resume:
Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.

NOTE: The maximum number of pages accepted for a resume is TWO pages. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.

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 additional information see: What to include in your resume.

2. Law school transcripts:
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable as long as official transcripts are submitted prior to entry on duty

3. Certificate of Good Standing:
Certificate of Good Standing from the bar of a state, territory, District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The certificate must be dated within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement. If the document has been ordered, but not arrived, you may provide a screenshot of your certificate (clearly showing a time/date within the last 90 days) which validates your active status.

5. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
• Veterans documents, if applicable
• Permanent change of station (PCS) orders and marriage license, if claiming military spouse preference.
• Self-certified statement of fitness to practice law.
• Writing sample of 3-5 pages including the analysis of a legal issue.

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.

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