PUBLIC NOTICE FOR ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (GENERAL) Job in Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Vacancy No. ST-12632280-25-GH Department Defense Legal Services Agency
Salary $163,964.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/9/2024 Close Date 12/23/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA


Summary

This position is located in the Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA). The General Counsel (GC) of the Department of Defense, who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the Chief Legal Officer of the Department of Defense (DoD) and performs such functions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe. The General Counsel is also dual-hatted as the Director, DLSA, which provides a full range of legal services to the Defense Agencies and the DoD Field Activities.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. CITIZENS

Duties

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice, under this recruitment, applications will be accepted for each location and/or installation identified in this Public Notice and selections are made for vacancies as they occur. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this notice.

This Public Notice is to gather applications which may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Handles litigation within the purview of the Office of the Deputy General Counsel (Environment, Energy and Installations). Incumbent handles highly classified (TOP SECRET/SCI) cases.
  • Provides legal advice and services to the Secretary of Defense and OSD staff concerning operational aspects of a wide variety of federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and policies concerning environmental programs.
  • Drafts, reviews and analyzes for legal sufficiency Department of Defense-level operations, plans, policies, regulations, directives and instructions, memoranda, and correspondence, as requested.
  • Manages all litigation with Department-wide impact involving matters within assigned areas. Coordinate litigation support with appropriate Military Departments and Defense Agencies.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment
  • Required to participate in the direct deposit program
  • This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
  • The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance
  • The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
  • Full professional training in law as evidenced by graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited U.S. law school is required
  • Must be admitted to the bar, and be a member, on active status in good standing, of a federal court or the highest court of a state, territory, district, or commonwealth
  • A current, valid license to practice law in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a condition of continued employment

Qualifications

For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

The General Attorney Series 0905, has Individual Occupational Requirements that must be met in addition to the specialized experience.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education requirements described below.

0905 BASIC REQUIREMENT:

1. Must possess the first professional law degree, i.e. Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctorate (J.D.), from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

AND

2. Must be an active member, in good standing, of the bar of the highest court of any one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any territory or possession of the United States.

AND

3. This position requires professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Attorneys performing duties in GS-15, or equivalent-level positions are expected to perform with substantial independence even when working on the most complex or difficult matters. Examples of legal experience are: Post-bar experience as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, and/or appealing formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State or local level or at military courts-martial. Qualifying litigation experience involves cases in which a complaint was filed with a court, or a charging document (e.g., indictment or information) was issued by a court, a grand jury, or appropriate military authority. Qualifying administrative law experience involves cases in which a formal procedure was initiated by a governmental administrative body, OR post-bar experience as a licensed attorney presiding over formal hearings or trials involving felony-level criminal litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State or local level or as a military judge presiding over general courts-martial.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements:

You may qualify at the GS-15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates:

1. Adapting general legal principles to specific uses and problems, and must use original, creative thinking to determine how complex legal and policy problems may best be solved;
2. Performing legal work of exceptional difficulty which may involve any combination of the following: new programs, implementation of new laws, novel questions pertaining to existing laws and programs, controversial issues, large expenditures of funds, sensitive information involving senior officials, impacts on large segments of the population or on the health, welfare, and morale of members of the Armed Forces; And
3. Exercising independent judgment in providing legal counsel and services to officials in assigned areas.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

  • Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf.)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are a displaced Federal Civil Service employee and attain a rating of at least 85, you may be entitled to receive special priority selection under the ICTAP. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance.
  • Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
    • Position title;
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
    • Agency; and,
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  • ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
  • Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

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 resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

NOTICE OF VETERANS' 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 Uniformed Service") 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

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • Complete Assessment Questionnaire
  • Transcripts or Proof of Education: You must submit documentation to verify that you possess a law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Transcripts and Certifications.
  • Proof of Bar membership: Documentation that reflects active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia and that you are a member in good standing.
Cover Letter: Although not required, you may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. It will not be used to determine your qualifications or eligibility.

The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status:

1. Transcripts and/or Certifications: All applicants to include current agency employees, must submit proof of education if the job announcement requires education to meet the basic qualification requirements, or if substituting education to meet the specialized experience requirements. Many applicants must also submit documentation for proof of meeting the basic education requirement. All education and/or certifications must also be described in your resume.

2. Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation. Failure to do so WILL result in the loss of veteran's preference, and will possibly impact your placement on the certificate.
  • You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.
  • If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability
  • If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
3. ICTAP Eligibles: You must submit an SF-50 confirming Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF); A RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or a RIF notice declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM); and, a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
4. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
5. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
6. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
7. Retained Grade PPP Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

To apply, please email resume to osd.pentagon.ogc.mbx.dodogcresumebank@mail.mil. The subject line should state "Resume File: [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME]." Please also reference this position in the subject and body of your email.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement (12/23/2024) to receive consideration.

Washington Headquarters Services provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please send an email to WHS.JOB.APPLICATION.ASSISTANCE@MAIL.MIL. You will be contacted regarding your request.

We will not accept applications sent to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed on this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. Only reasonable accommodation requests, as described above will be considered.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Washington HQ Services
Address
Defense Legal Services Agency
Human Resources Directorate
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

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.

Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Applicant/Application/ListApplications?

Washington Headquarters Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

NOTE: "Recruitment, relocation, and retention incentives may be considered".


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


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