General Attorney

Summary

About the Position: This position is with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division, Ft Worth District, Office of Counsel with a duty station location of Ft. Worth, Texas.

This is a Time Limited Appointment Not to Exceed (NTE) 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 3 years. This position will NOT be made permanent.

Please see "Additional Information" section below for further details.

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Duties

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• Responsible for the preparation or review of extremely complex legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.
• May have responsibility for acting as an official legal representative of the office to which assigned in contacts with municipal, state, and federal agencies, other federal agencies, and private stakeholders.
• Identify, research, and address extremely complex and difficult legal questions affecting USACE missions.
• Assigned cases involve extremely complex and difficult legal questions or issues involving novel questions of law and policy affecting several million dollars or more.
• Render legal advice and assistance to all elements of the Command in response to inquiries on numerous types of miscellaneous problems arising from day-to-day operations and which vary from simple to difficult.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Requires submission of a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• This position requires 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

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 J.D.). Law school transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

Bar Membership : An applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Experience for the GS-14 level : An applicant must have more than three years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Time in Grade Requirement : If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Your application package will be evaluated to ensure your experience, knowledge, skills, training and/or education meet the qualification requirements stated in this vacancy announcement. Quality of experience relates to how closely or to what extent an applicant's background and recency of experience and education clearly reflect that you possess the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of this position. The following KSA's must be addressed in your resume. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating or effect your overall rating.

1. Knowledge, skills, and ability with respect to the examination of public records of title evidence, review of property tax records, and securing releases of mortgages or other outstanding liens.

2. Knowledge, skills, and ability with respect to providing legal advice, negotiation, and/or resolution of title/boundary disputes, issues related to public roads and highways, public utilities, railroads, and/or pipelines.

3. Knowledge of statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning federal civil law, focusing on the Corps-related areas listed above.

4. Two years of experience examining and/or preparing attorney title opinions, drafting/preparing closing documents, and conducting closings.

5. Knowledge, skills, and experience providing legal advice related to condemnation assemblies and litigation; ownership (chain-of-title) of property being condemned; identification of interested parties in land being condemned; preparation of litigation reports and coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in condemnation lawsuits.

6. Individuals being evaluated for a GS-14 position should demonstrate a strong ability to work well with others: significant leadership and/or teambuilding skills are desired.

7. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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 college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• 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.
• Two-year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• 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 Legal Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• 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 for more information.
• 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.
• Student Loan Repayment, Advance in Hire, and/or Advanced Leave Accrual MAY be authorized.
• A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive May be offered, depending on funding availability and management discretion. An incentive must be requested by selected applicant at the time of the tentative offer and approved to hire. An incentive requires a signed service agreement.
• Current USACE Attorneys WILL be eligible for Administrative Return Rights. Current Army Attorneys MAY be eligible for Administrative Return Rights in accordance with AR 690-300, Ch. 9-8, a.

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.