GENERAL ATTORNEY

Summary

About the Position: Position is located in the US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, Office of Counsel.

This is a developmental position. You may be selected for the GS-11/12/13/14 grade level. Full Performance Level is GS-14.

Pay range at the GS-11 level is: $82,289- $106,982

Pay range at the GS-12 level is: $98,630 - $128,221

Pay range at the GS-13 level is: $117,284 - $152,471

Pay range at the GS-14 level is: $138,595 - $180,178

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Duties

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• Provides legal advice and trial advocacy in a wide range of practices with a focus on government contract law.
• Duties include, but are not limited to, conducting legal research, reviewing documents, drafting agreements and legal opinions, participation on project delivery teams, and litigation.

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.
• This position requires pre-employment Financial Disclosure Statement OGE Form 450 and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• Must maintain a license to practice law and be a member in good standing of the bar, state, territory of US, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• This position is designated as moderate risk involving Public Trust. Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation including a credit check to determine suitability for Federal employment and/or the position.
• Travel is up to 10% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply : Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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 JD).

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

Experience at the GS-11: Applicant has less than one year of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.(Exceptions to the experience requirement may be made for possession of special qualifications. For example, a second professional law degree (master of laws) or graduation with a distinguished record from an accredited law school (for example, in the top 25 percent of the class) may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

Experience at the GS-12: Applicant must have one year of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. (Exceptions to the experience requirement may be made for possession of special qualifications. For example, a second professional law degree (master of laws) or graduation with a distinguished record from an accredited law school (for example, in the top 25 percent of the class) may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

Experience at the GS-13: Applicant must have two years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. (Exceptions to the experience requirement may be made for possession of special qualifications. For example, a second professional law degree (master of laws) or graduation with a distinguished record from an accredited law school (for example, in the top 25 percent of the class) may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

Experience at the GS-14: Applicant must have three or more 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. Professional legal experience includes: 1. Research complex legal issues involving federal and state laws, regulations, and policies to provide authoritative legal guidance supporting organizational missions; 2. Prepare legal opinions, memoranda, contracts, and other legal instruments addressing complex or novel legal questions with significant programmatic impact; 3. Represent the organization in negotiations, hearings, conferences, administrative litigation, and other legal proceedings with federal, state, local agencies, and private stakeholders; 4. Provide legal advice and interpret federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies to support management decisions, policy development, and daily operations; and 5. Conduct comprehensive legal research and develop legally sound recommendations to resolve high-impact matters involving significant financial, regulatory, or public interest considerations.

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

Time in Grade Requirement at the GS-11 level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-10).

Time in Grade Requirement at the GS-12 level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).

Time in Grade Requirement at the GS-13 level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).

Time in Grade Requirement at the GS-14 level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-13).

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.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This position requires you to submit 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 Career Program (CP) 56 - Legal 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.
• Relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized subject to management and command authorization

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.