Attorney-Adviser (Contract)

Summary About the Position: These two positions are located with U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, Contract Litigation and Intellectual Property (KLIP) Division, Fort Belvoir, Virginia If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position. Responsibilities Serves as a Trial Attorney in contract disputes before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) under the technical supervision of the Army Chief Trial Attorney (ACTA). Responsible for all aspects of contract dispute litigation, to include submission of the Army's Rule 4 file, drafting and submitting initial pleadings, conducting discovery to include interrogatories and document production requests. Assists the Department of Justice and serves as the agency counsel in contract disputes filed at the Court of Federal Claims under the technical supervision of the ACTA. Prepares pre-hearing and post-hearing briefs. Formulates and implements alternative dispute resolution procedures as appropriate in assigned cases in assigned cases at the ASBCA. As required, supports the Department of Justice in cases that progress to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Writes high-quality drafts of appellate briefs. Conducts all activities with a high degree of knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, the Contract Disputes Act, the Rules of the ASBCA and the COFC, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable case law. Serves as the agency counsel in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the COFC under the technical supervision of the Chief, Bid Protests (CBP). Responsible for all aspects of protest litigation to include preparing and filing the agency report, preparation of high-quality legal arguments to defend source selection decisions. Responds to document requests made by protesters and defend against supplemental protests as they arise. Represents the Army at hearings before the GAO including preparing witnesses, conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses, and preparing post-hearing briefs. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who 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. 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 a member in good standing with 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 sa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/. 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 pm.gov/qualifications and d.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Additional Information PLEASE 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 position to the Army Legal Functional Community. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. 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. Incentives may be authorized on case-by-case bases. May be eligible for regular and recurring telework. Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized. Student loan repayment may be authorized. Salary negotiations, including an advanced in hire, for candidates new to Federal service or who would otherwise qualified, may be authorized. Credit for prior non-Federal experience and certain military service for leave accrual rates may be authorized.