Attorney-Adviser (General)

Duties

• Serves as the Cyber National Mission Force's (CNMF) principal subject matter expert and senior legal advisor for cyber operations and national security law by providing legal counsel on the most complex and often highly classified legal matters.
• Advises on issues involving not only strictly legal matters, but also significant matters of command operations and the day-to-day activities of offensive and defensive cyber operations.
• Responsible for applying cyber operations and national security law in consideration of international, federal, state and local laws, as well as Department of Defense (DoD) and United States Cyber Command (USCC) policies and directives.
• Conducts extensive research on a myriad of legal and operational issues associated with cyberspace operations, telecommunications, and information operations to ensure compliance and freedom of action for friendly forces.
• Assists in the development and comprehensive review of all orders, concepts of operations (CONOPs), and other planning and policy documents, including DoD and Service publications, providing expert comments and products.
• Reviews operation plans and orders, command annexes to USCYBERCOM plans and orders, and rules of engagement, as well as revising provisions to resolve legal and operational issues or concerns.
• Proactively practices and promotes preventive law by conducting and participating in briefings for command leadership on current and highly specialized areas of law, including difficult, complex, controversial, or unprecedented legal issues.
• Maintains personal availability to key senior management officials and Commanders to provide expert legal and policy advice and ensure appropriate legal services are provided to military and civilian personnel worldwide.
• Provides advice and guidance on matters related to information technology and cyberspace such as artificial intelligence; privacy and security; copyright, trademark, intellectual property issues, and data-encryption.
• Serves as the primary legal advisor and subject matter expert on cyber security policy and authorities for the Command and subordinate elements.
• Reviews existing and proposed legislation and legal instruments to enhance the Command's authority and scope of operations, recommending new legislative language where needed.
• Serves as subject matter expert on the application of the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement for the Command and its major subordinate elements.
• Provides advice on computer network attack, defense, and exploitation, military applications for self-defense and attack, and the legal implications of using or interfering with telecommunications services.
• Reviews and advises on all aspects of intelligence operations and activities, including the legalities of the collection, retention, and dissemination of intelligence information.
• Advises on planning and executing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations to ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with applicable legal authorities and oversight requirements.
• Analyzes and interprets legislation, executive orders, directives, and regulations governing intelligence operations, activities, and organization, including the oversight of the intelligence community and its DoD elements.
• Negotiates and confers with other federal agencies regarding the administration and regulation of USCYBERCOM intelligence and counterintelligence operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the diverse requirements of a small, highly specialized legal office covering multiple legal discipline.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A three year trial/probationary period may be required.
• The incumbent must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance as a condition of employment and must also complete a counterintelligence scope polygraph exam.
• This is a Drug Testing Designated Position. The incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R and must pass urinalysis testing, as required, prior to appointment, reassignment, or transfer and periodically thereafter.
• 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.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military and/or commercial aircraft up to 25% of the time.
• The incumbent must meet NSA personnel security requirements outlined in NSA/CSS Policy 5-1.
• Candidates are required to disclose any pending ethics or other judicial or miscellaneous allegations under review, including any adverse findings by a state bar or disciplinary committee.
• Must consent to provide a letter for each state where admitted to demonstrate good standing.
• 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.

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 active membership in 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 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 information sheet.
• This is a Professional Services Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be fill 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.
• 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.
• 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.