Attorney-Adviser (Contract)

DutiesAdvises the National Guard Bureau staff as well as the 54 United States Property and Fiscal Officers on questions of fiscal law and policy that pertain to fiscal, procurement, and cooperative agreement matters.Drafts or reviews regulations, including, for example, NGB conference policy and other Chief of the National Guard Bureau Issuances (CNGBIs).Drafts or reviews proposed legislation and coordinates with organizations having jurisdiction over programs affected by legislative proposals.Evaluates proposed legislation in terms of foreseeable effect on programs, policies, methods of operation, and current law.Incumbent is the National Guard Bureau’s primary authority for cooperative agreements entered into between the National Guard Bureau and the various state National Guards.Acts as advisor, for all cooperative agreement issues to officials in NGB, the State Military Departments and DoD.Incumbent provides supervision and mentorship to junior members of the office of the General Counsel in the areas of contract law, fiscal law, and cooperative agreement law.Incumbent provides oversight of the quality and accuracy of more junior attorneys in terms of their work product in contract law, fiscal law and cooperative agreement law.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentAppointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.A two-year trial/probationary period may be required.This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance for access for the duration of employment.This position may require the incumbent to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.This position requires the incumbent to maintain 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. QualificationsWho May Apply: US Citizens
Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. KSA's:
Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues.Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance.Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.Ability to oversee, mentor, and train others.Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:Education Requirements: Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) AND in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions within the Department of Army must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation. As indicated below, a law school transcript must be submitted with your application materials.Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be a member 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. As noted below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-15 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 3 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.Time in Grade: The Qualifying Authorities (QA's) will make a determination as to the applicability of time in grade based on the requirements of the position. If you are currently employed as an attorney by the Federal government you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position being filled.NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (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. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at .
Education
Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at and .Additional informationPLEASE NOTE THAT REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION, TIME IN GRADE, AND EXPERIENCE MAY BE WAIVED BY THE APPLICABLE AUTHORITY AND THE REQUIREMENTS SHOULD NOT DETER ANY INDIVIDUAL FROM APPLYING FOR THE POSITION.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.Direct Deposit of Pay is required.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 Professional Services Career Field 56 position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.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 incentive may be authroized.Recruitment incentive may be authorized. Help

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.
Review our benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Your application package (resume and supporting documents) will be evaluated for basic qualification requirements and for the skills needed to perform the duties of the position, as described in this vacancy announcement and identified by the Selecting Official.
Veteran's preference requirements do not apply to attorney positions in the excepted service, however the principles of veteran's preference will be followed to the extent which is administratively feasible.