Attorney-Adviser (Contract)

Duties

• Provides legal advice and review of procurement contracts, other transactions, and assistance instruments (grants and cooperative agreements from acquisition strategy through formation, award, management, and contract closure.
• Reviews solicitations, amendments to solicitations, proposed awards and modifications to contracts and agreements in any amount as requested by the contracting office.
• Employee provides opinions as to legal sufficiency, recommends corrections for legal sufficiency, and recommends strategies, provisions, etc.
• Provides legal and business advice during contract and agreement administration concerning delivery dates, impossibility of performance, claims, product substitution, interpretation of contract clauses, novation, terminations, and other legal issues.
• Conducts legal research and provides oral and written opinions on all acquisition law issues from solicitation, award and administration, bid protests, contract changes, claims, equitable adjustments, fiscal issues, contract types, etc.
• Assists with drafting and negotiations of contract and agreement clauses.
• Represents the client in the settlement of claims, protests, mistakes in bid, and disputes arising out of contracts. Negotiates with representatives of contactors to secure settlements in the best interest of the Government.
• Represents the office and attends meetings and conferences where contract and fiscal policies, procedures, and program matters are discussed and decided. Assures policies, procedures, and plan are consistent with established law.
• Recommends alternatives where legal deficiencies and improprieties are found.
• Provides legal advice and counseling on all aspects of the complex acquisition process and the expenditure of government funds/Serves as the expert on fiscal law, advising on appropriations matters.
• Serves as an ethics counsel for the contracting command.
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A two year trial/probationary period may be required.
• This position may require the incumbent to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• This position requires the incumbent to maintain active bar membership, in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  
  

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. KSA's:

• Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues.
• Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance.
• Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.
  
  

Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:

Education Requirements: Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) AND good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions within the Department of Army must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation. As indicated below, a law school transcript must be submitted with your application materials.

Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be a member in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As noted below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.

Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the DJ-04 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 3 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.

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.

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 Department of the 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. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/ .

Education

Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html .

Additional Information

• 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.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Professional Services Career Field position.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Student loan repayment may be authorized.
• Salary negotiations, including an advanced in hire, for candidates new to Federal service or who would otherwise qualified, may be authorized.
• Credit for prior non-Federal experience and certain military service for leave accrual rates may be authorized.