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. Knowledge of legal principles of governmental information programs and processes that gives the incumbent the ability to provide legal counsel and services to and/or interface directly with top officials within and outside the Command, to include officials of the other Federal and DoD Agencies, Intelligence Community Partners, and Private Industry/Civilians.
2. Possess legal expertise and knowledge of regarding the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Federal Records statues, executive orders, and current case law.
3. Professional knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Expert knowledge of Government information practices, the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act of 1974, the Civil Liberties Act, and the Federal Records Act statues, Executive Orders and case law.
4. Ability to plan and organize work assignments. Expert ability to communication orally and in writing.
5. 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.
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is
in this document.
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:
1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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).
4. 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.