Attorney-Advisor (General) Job in Arlington, VA

Vacancy No. DARPA-25-12732510-AT Department Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Salary $120,579.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 13 to 15
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/6/2025 Close Date 5/23/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Arlington, VA


Summary

This position is in the Excepted Service. Selection under this appointment does not confer civil service competitive status.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: This announcement is open to: All U.S. Citizens

Duties

This position is located in the Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA), and the duty station is at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the Office of General Counsel. Under the supervision and oversight of the DARPA General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant/Associate General Counsel provides a full range of legal support to assigned DARPA offices and programs. The Assistant/Associate General Counsel also serves as a designated ethics counselor.

This is a Career Ladder Position. If selected at the GS-13 level (Assistant General Counsel), the incumbent may be noncompetitively promoted to the GS-0905-14 level (Associate General Counsel) and ultimately to the target position, GS-0905-15 level (Associate General Counsel), without further competition once time-in-grade, training, satisfactory performance, and other requirements of the higher grade level are met.

The duties listed below are examples of full performance at the GS-0905-15 level. The duties for levels GS-0905-13 and GS-0905-14 are similar or the same as those for the GS-15 level except for the volume and/or complexity of work and level of assistance and oversight provided.

As an Attorney-Advisor (General), you will be responsible for the following duties and other duties as assigned:

  • Serves as a legal advisor to assigned DARPA offices and programs, providing legal advice, counsel, and guidance on the full range of DARPA operations across multiple practice areas including federal procurement, intellectual property, fiscal, civilian personnel, environmental, ethics and Standards of Conduct, international, space, cyber, and privacy law.
  • Provides advice to DARPA contracting officials regarding the administration of DARPA contracts, including contract drafting, negotiation, interpretation, termination, and disputes. Provides similar legal services for non-procurement instruments such as Other Transaction Agreements, grants, cooperative agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, and Partnership Intermediary Agreements.
  • Advises on ethics/standards of conduct issues such as conflicts of interest, seeking employment, outside activities, and post-government employment.
  • Represents DARPA and as applicable assists the Department of Justice in litigation matters. Litigation matters include: patent infringement claims, copyright claims, and other intellectual property disputes; protests and claims before the Government Accountability Office and Court of Federal Claims; harassment/discrimination complaints before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and appeals of personnel actions before the Merit Systems Protection Board.
  • Assists DARPA's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) team in reviewing and responding to FOIA requests, including advising on FOIA litigation matters.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is eligible for situational telework only
  • Application materials must be received by 11:59PM EST on the closing date

Qualifications

Applicants will be evaluated on: (1) depth, breadth, and quality of recent and relevant professional legal experience with an emphasis on FAR-based contracting and non-procurement instruments such as Other Transaction Agreements, grants, cooperative agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, and Partnership Intermediary Agreements; (2) analytical, research, and writing skills; (3) oral communication; (4) ability to establish relationships with clients; and (5) ability to provide timely, accurate, practical, and responsive legal advice.

To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must have recent and relevant professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

To qualify at the GS-14 level,applicants must have recent and relevant professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

To qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must have at least five (5) years recent, substantial, and relevant professional legal experience that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. In addition, to qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform with substantial independence even when working on the most complex or difficult matters. Knowledge of and experience with DoD is highly desirable but not mandatory. Applicants with experience advising senior officials or clients are desired.

Salary will be set within the range specified in this vacancy announcement based on the complexity of work to be performed, the applicant's experience, education, training and availability of funds.
Qualification standards for attorney positions may be found in DoD Directive 1442.02, "Personnel Actions Involving Civilian Attorneys," at DoD Instruction 1442.02, April 13, 2023 (whs.mil).

Education

Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school at the time of applying for the position.

Assignments require the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) accredited by the American Bar Association.

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

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 institution.

Additional information

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

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

After selection a statement as to whether or not you have ever been found by any tribunal to have committed any crime or other act reflection upon your suitability to practice law may be required.

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 application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified for the position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation.

All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. We will evaluate your application for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience meets the qualifications and other basic requirements for the position.

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

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter: Applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses the evaluation criteria for this position and their interest in the position. The cover letter should also indicate the lowest grade level an applicant will consider and if relocation expenses are a requirement.

2. Résumé: A complete resume demonstrating relevant experiences, job titles, duties, and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. If an applicant submits multiple resumes, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed for the qualifications and referred for selection consideration if eligible.

3. For current federal employees, the two most recent performance appraisals with rating official narrative, if available.

4. Two (2) recent legal writing samples of no more than ten (10) pages each that demonstrate analytical and/or advocacy abilities. Excerpts of larger pieces may be submitted.

5. Transcripts: Attorneys who have graduated from law school less than five (5) years prior to the announcement closing date must provide a copy of their law school transcript, including class rank. 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. Transcripts must be received in this office by May 23, 2025, 11:59 EST to be considered.

6. References: The names, phone numbers, and email addresses for at least three professional references who may be contacted.

7. For current federal employees, a copy of your most recent SF-50. Please redact social security numbers from any submitted documents.

8. Current certificate demonstrating that you are a current active member of the bar with a valid license to practice law in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

9. A copy of a law school transcript(s) and membership to the American Bar Association must be submitted with your application.


Additional documents you may be required to submit vary based on what authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying for one of the categories such as a veteran, a current or former permanent Federal employee, Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), etc.).

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 provide a complete Application Package as described in REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

Email Application Package to darpa_ogc@darpa.mil

Agency Information:
DARPA
675 N. Randolph Street
Arlington, VA 22203

Agency contact information

ERIC CORREIRA
Address
DARPA
675 N. Randolph Street
Arlington, VA 22203
US

Next steps

Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements. The Selecting Official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision. If selected, additional documentation may be required prior to appointment.

Interested attorneys are encouraged to contact Ms. Geraldine Chanel, DARPA Deputy General Counsel, at geraldine.chanel@darpa.mil.


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


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