Attorney Advisor (Assistant General Counsel - Procurement Law)

Summary

The U.S. National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for an Attorney Advisor (Assistant General Counsel) position specializing in federal procurement and contract law within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Office of the Director (OD), Alexandria, VA. For more information on OGC please click here. For more information on OD please click here.

Duties

This position is located in the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). NSF supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and is committed to advancing the progress of science to benefit the Nation. The incumbent serves as an Attorney Advisor providing legal counsel on a wide range of general law matters, with an emphasis on federal procurement and contract law. The Attorney Advisor works closely with program offices, leadership, and administrative staff to support NSF's mission through the delivery of timely, practical, and legally sound advice. The position advises on acquisitions and contract administration, including bid protests and contractor disputes. In addition, the Attorney Advisor provides legal guidance on the acquisition, management, and disposal of federal property and represents NSF in negotiations, interagency and executive branch working groups, and administrative proceedings. The incumbent conducts legal research and prepares written opinions and other work products to inform decision-making and mitigate legal risk. This position requires the ability to analyze complex legal issues, balance legal and programmatic considerations, and collaborate effectively across a diverse, mission-driven organization dedicated to scientific discovery and innovation. Major Duties Provides legal advice on federal procurement and contract law, including acquisitions, contract administration, bid protests, and contractor disputes. Provides legal guidance on the acquisition, management, and disposal of federal property, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Represents the agency in negotiations, interagency working groups, and administrative proceedings, and supports litigation as needed. Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda, opinions, and other written products to support agency programs and leadership decision-making. Collaborates with program offices and leadership to identify legal risks and develop practical, legally sound solutions aligned with mission priorities.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a J.D. from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), plus 6 or more years of professional legal experience gained after completion of the pertinent degree. Candidates must have expertise related to the areas of law relevant to the position for which they wish to be considered, as articulated in the Duties and Experience section above. Bar Membership: Member in good standing of the bar of a State, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (must provide supporting documentation). Also, desirable, but not required, is experience and/or interest in other areas of Federal government legal practice, such as intellectual property, regulatory compliance, general litigation, and/or environmental law.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used. We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.Quality Ranking Factors Demonstrated experience and in-depth knowledge of federal procurement law, contract law, and acquisition practices. Ability to analyze complex legal issues, identify governing statutes and regulations, and evaluate policy considerations and legal/programmatic risks. Demonstrated ability to represent an agency in negotiations, administrative proceedings, and interagency or executive branch engagements, with strong written and oral advocacy skills. Ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently while providing practical, mission-focused legal advice in support of agency programs and objectives. Demonstrated experience applying legal principles in one or more of the following areas: intellectual property, environmental and/or regulatory compliance, federal property management, or general litigation, including the ability to interpret statutes, regulations, and policy frameworks.

Required Documents

All applicants are required to submit a legible resume that is no longer than two (2) pages. IMPORTANT NOTE: Only the two-page resume will be reviewed to determine if your technical qualifications for this position meet the requirements listed in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement. Additional information beyond your two-page resume (e.g., cover letters, links to additional information, a Curriculum Vitae) will not be reviewed to determine if the basic qualification requirements are met. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. You must submit proof of your active Bar Membership in order to be considered for this vacancy. Applicants may also submit an optional cover letter. Applicants may submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a supplemental document. In addition, applicants may choose to submit responses addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) with their application. While not required, submission of these responses is strongly encouraged, as they may be used to further assess candidates during the evaluation process, post referral. Applicants are encouraged to submit professional references with their application. References will not be contacted during the initial review process and will only be contacted if requested by the hiring official as part of the selection process. Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your resume. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency. In order to be considered for federal appointments, Non-Citizens must affirm that they meet the Appropriations Law eligibility criteria by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non-Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date. All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement. Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application. If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS. As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement. IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS. WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

What to Expect Next

You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website. Applicants should click 'Track this Application' in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.

Additional Information

Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid. This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Candidates must have a J.D. from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), plus 6 or more years of professional legal experience gained after completion of the pertinent degree. Candidates must have expertise related to the areas of law relevant to the position for which they wish to be considered, as articulated in the Duties and Experience section above. Bar Membership: Member in good standing of the bar of a State, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (must provide supporting documentation). Also, desirable, but not required, is experience and/or interest in other areas of Federal government legal practice, such as intellectual property, regulatory compliance, general litigation, and/or environmental law.