GENERAL ATTORNEY

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA). Advises the SJA, commanders and government officials on civil, international, and operations law issues affecting the organization.

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Duties

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1. Advises the Commander, as well as subordinate and tenant unit commanders and managers, on a host of general law matters.

2. Renders legal advice and counsel regarding contract and fiscal law and ethics matters. Provides compete legal review and support on contracts, contractual procedures, contractual documents, which range from purchase orders to complex multi-million-dollar contracts, and issues regarding the expenditure of funds.

3. Drafts, reviews and interprets US Government and DoD laws, policies, regulations, concepts of operation and other documents regarding Space Force training, education, doctrine, ranges, aggressors, test and evaluation, and other command mission areas.

4. Drafts, interprets and reviews agreements and other documents related to installation host-tenant relationships, memoranda of agreements and understandings, and international agreements, including Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements, Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA), SOFA supplementary agreements, implementing agreements, basing agreements and similar documents.

5. Performs other duties as assigned, to include, but not limited to, providing command-level advice and guidance on space, international, intelligence, cyber and other operational law matters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance required and commensurate with sensitivity level of position
• This is a Department of the Air Force Testing Designated Position (TDP). As such, the incumbent is subject to random drug testing and other requirements associated with the program
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Attorney appointments are subject to serve a one-year trial period
• Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans' preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Employee must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
• Employee may be required to file an Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter
• Selectee must provide certificate of good standing dated within 4 months of the date of the application. Screen shot is permissible as long as the date obtained is reflected and dated within 4 months of the date of the application
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization
• Employee must adhere to the Air Force Rules of Professional Conduct
• Appointee must comply with all other requirements specified in Department of the Air Force Instruction 51-101, The Air Force Judge Advocate General's (AFJAG) Corps Operations, Accessions, and Professional Development
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station utilizing any or all modes of transportation, both commercial and military
• This PRD has been classified based on projected duties or new mission requirements. The duties within in this PRD may be reviewed for accuracy after 12 months of Full Operational Capability of organization identified within in this PRD
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations. This is a Centrally Managed position under the Legal Career Field

Qualifications

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
• You 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).
• In addition, at the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application of "active" status with a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status. A copy of the Bar Card is not acceptable proof of good standing.

A4.1.1. To be eligible for consideration for appointment as an attorney, an applicant must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the ABA. Note: Applicants seeking to use foreign education to meet qualification standards must meet Office of Personnel Management foreign equivalency requirements. Qualifications Required at GS-12/13 (NH-03) Level

GS-12 - A4.2.3.3.1.1. Two years of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level or National Security Personnel System YA2 level; or A4.2.3.3.1.2. The second professional law degree (LL.M.), plus one year of professional legal experience at the GS-11 level or National Security Personnel System YA2 level.

GS-13 - A4.2.4.2. In addition, the attorney shall have professional legal experience in excess of two years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Professional knowledge of administrative law, claims, ethics, environmental law, contract law, fiscal law and labor law to advise senior decision makers at Command level.

2. Ability to furnish legal advice on questions related to interpretation of federal and state statutes and judicial decisions, Air and Space Force policy directives and instructions, DoD directives, delegation of authority, and the history and procedures implementing Department of the Air Force policy.

3. Knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques of legal research, general legal resource materials, and the skill to apply this knowledge.

4. Skill in applying the law to specific federal situations, resulting in a conclusion, which is legally supportable by statute and/or case law and implementing regulations.

5. Background knowledge of the organization, mission, and functions of USSF and commercial space sector.

At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application , of "active" status and in good standing with a bar of the highest court of a State, US commonwealth, US territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status and dated within four months of application . A copy of the Bar Card is not acceptable proof of good standing.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth. The attorney must maintain such bar membership in at least one jurisdiction during the entire course of employment with the Air Force.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Writing Example: Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a writing sample demonstrating your legal analytical skills.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. 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 GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.