General Attorney

Summary

About the Position: Provides legal services in a variety of substantive practice areas in support of the Latin America & Caribbean District's missions but is expected to focus on all aspects of procurement law. Expected to primarily support the District's work in Central & South America, which includes military construction, interagency support, & international support (i.e., foreign military sales & humanitarian assistance projects). Experience in these areas is highly desirable.

Duties

Requires thorough knowledge of the Government procurement processes under interagency and international agreements, acquisition planning, source selection, contract awards, bid protests, contract administration, claims, ethics, and fiscal law. Provides legal services in a variety of practice areas that are expected to include procurement law, including contract formation, administration, and litigation and may also include real estate/leasing, fiscal law, ethics, and/or torts. Furnishes expert legal advice and advocacy in all aspects of Government contracts and fiscal law, primarily in the context of interagency and international support for others. Identifies, researches, and addresses extremely complex and difficult legal questions affecting the Agency's missions. Represents and defends the Agency through all phases of litigation including defending the agency on bid protests, requests for equitable adjustments, claims, and appeals. Serves as Agency counsel and assists the Department of Justice in litigation before U.S. federal courts: - including by drafting motions and pleadings, preparing the administrative record, drafting and responding to discovery, and preparing for depositions, hearings, and trials. Advises and communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with senior leadership and team members at all levels. Works effectively and cohesively on teams, including clients, experts and other witnesses, and colleagues. Keeps managing counsel informed and coordinates advice to ensure consistency with agency policy before it is rendered to clients. This position is also expected to advise on real estate/leasing in support of the Central and South America Program.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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 qualifications requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration. Education: Applicants 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) (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts).Bar membership: Applicants must currently be a member in good standing of a bar of a state territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A copy of your current certification must be submitted. Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be an active 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 a copy) Fitness to Practice Law: An applicant must currently be fit to practice law. If your fitness to practice law, or your conduct has ever been challenged you must submit a sworn statement giving the facts and circumstances, together with any explanations you consider appropriate. The sworn statement should be notarized and dated within 3 months of the date of your application. (If you are currently employed as an attorney with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this requirement does not apply to you). To qualify at the GS-14 level: You must have more than three (3) years of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. NOTICE TO VETERANS PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to Attorney appointments in the Excepted Service; however, the Department of the Army considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for Attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (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. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/ ) For GS-14: Time in Grade Requirements: Applicants currently employed as an Attorney by the Federal government must have completed one year of time-in-grade at the next lower grade level (GS-13) or the equivalent within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Technical Knowledge Demonstrated practical experience and mature judgment in solving legal problems. Demonstrated experience providing interpretations of statutes and regulations, drafting legal documents, and reviewing client documents for legal soundness and accuracy sufficient for the accomplishment of difficult, complex, and varied work. Demonstrated experience providing legal advice and guidance on the statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning the Army's procurement system, contract administration, construction law, environmental law, real estate law, civil litigation, and fiscal law. Demonstrated experience with and/or knowledge of the Corps' military construction, interagency support, and international support (i.e., foreign military sales and humanitarian assistance projects). Litigation - Representation and Advocacy Demonstrated experience providing legal advice and trial advocacy regarding litigation that presents complex factual issues requiring extensive research, analysis, and obtaining and evaluating expert testimony or information. Demonstrated experience effectively representing and advocating for the client in litigation (preparing administrative records, pleadings, and dispositive motions; drafting and responding to discovery; hearing or trial experience) and in different forms of alternative dispute resolution. Demonstrated experience representing and advocating for the client in various forums, including before external agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public, often on contentious matters that involve very large sums of money and/or involve extremely capable opposing legal talent. Other Indicia of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior leadership and team members at all levels in a manner to advise, inform, and educate, even when the legal advice may differ from what is desired. Ability to work effectively on teams, including clients, experts and other witnesses, and colleagues. Ability to work effectively on matters with increased confidentiality and/or sensitivity. Credentials as indicated in the resume and other application materials (e.g., awards, performance ratings, educational achievements)

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Basis for Rating: If eligible and meeting basic qualifications, your application package will be evaluated in conjunction with your résumé and supporting documents for the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position: Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position: 1. Knowledge and experience with federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in research, analysis, and effectively advising regarding contract and/or construction law, with more weight given to federal government contract law experience. 2. Ability to analyze problems, documents and proposed courses of action; identify any client objectives and legal issues involved; research and interpret pertinent laws, regulations, and precedents; and formulate well-researched and well-reasoned advice that is responsive to client needs. 3. Ability to balance multiple national (external) and agency (internal) program goals and priorities; ability to review program implementation and results; ability to balance customer programs with legal goals and priorities; and ability to develop and utilize innovative approaches in solving problems and issues. 4. Ability to organize work effectively to meet established deadlines and priorities. 5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements. As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further. 1. Your resume: Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position. Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy. For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume. 2. Other supporting documents: Official Law school transcripts. Photo copies are acceptable when applying, but certified documents must be furnished before entering duty. Official certificate showing that you are a member in good standing of the bar. The statement must be dated within three months of the date that it is submitted. A sworn [notarized] statement from you that your fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction to the best of your knowledge, or if either has been challenged, a sworn [notarized] statement concerning the facts and circumstances and any other explanation that you consider appropriate may be submitted. As an alternative to a sworn [notarized] statement, a statement with the above language which includes a declaration under penalty of perjury maybe submitted in the following format: "I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct...executed on (date)...(your signature)." (28 U.S.C. 1746). The statement must be dated within three months of the date that it is submitted. The statement and certificate are required to be submitted by all applicants to include attorneys currently appointed to positions under the qualifying authority of The Judge Advocate General, Army (including active duty Army Judge Advocates). Examples of writing skills as demonstrated by legal briefs, memoranda, or letters. These examples should total no more than ten pages in length. Extracts of selected sections of larger documents are acceptable. Cover Letter Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for som...

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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 qualifications requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration. Education: Applicants 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) (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts).Bar membership: Applicants must currently be a member in good standing of a bar of a state territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A copy of your current certification must be submitted. Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be an active 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 a copy) Fitness to Practice Law: An applicant must currently be fit to practice law. If your fitness to practice law, or your conduct has ever been challenged you must submit a sworn statement giving the facts and circumstances, together with any explanations you consider appropriate. The sworn statement should be notarized and dated within 3 months of the date of your application. (If you are currently employed as an attorney with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this requirement does not apply to you). To qualify at the GS-14 level: You must have more than three (3) years of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. NOTICE TO VETERANS PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to Attorney appointments in the Excepted Service; however, the Department of the Army considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for Attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (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. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/ ) For GS-14: Time in Grade Requirements: Applicants currently employed as an Attorney by the Federal government must have completed one year of time-in-grade at the next lower grade level (GS-13) or the equivalent within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Technical Knowledge Demonstrated practical experience and mature judgment in solving legal problems. Demonstrated experience providing interpretations of statutes and regulations, drafting legal documents, and reviewing client documents for legal soundness and accuracy sufficient for the accomplishment of difficult, complex, and varied work. Demonstrated experience providing legal advice and guidance on the statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning the Army's procurement system, contract administration, construction law, environmental law, real estate law, civil litigation, and fiscal law. Demonstrated experience with and/or knowledge of the Corps' military construction, interagency support, and international support (i.e., foreign military sales and humanitarian assistance projects). Litigation - Representation and Advocacy Demonstrated experience providing legal advice and trial advocacy regarding litigation that presents complex factual issues requiring extensive research, analysis, and obtaining and evaluating expert testimony or information. Demonstrated experience effectively representing and advocating for the client in litigation (preparing administrative records, pleadings, and dispositive motions; drafting and responding to discovery; hearing or trial experience) and in different forms of alternative dispute resolution. Demonstrated experience representing and advocating for the client in various forums, including before external agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public, often on contentious matters that involve very large sums of money and/or involve extremely capable opposing legal talent. Other Indicia of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior leadership and team members at all levels in a manner to advise, inform, and educate, even when the legal advice may differ from what is desired. Ability to work effectively on teams, including clients, experts and other witnesses, and colleagues. Ability to work effectively on matters with increased confidentiality and/or sensitivity. Credentials as indicated in the resume and other application materials (e.g., awards, performance ratings, educational achievements)