Attorney-Adviser (Labor)

Duties

• Provides oral and written advice and technical legal guidance to key USAAA officials concerning all aspects of the law of Federal employment and Federal labor-management relations.
• Develops guidance and advice on the interpretation and application of employment law decisions involving the Agency.
• Provides advice and prepares opinions on legal issues or factual questions, some of which lack clearly applicable precedents, involve novel legal issues, or contain complex factual scenarios.
• Prepares recommended courses of action for the USAAA senior leaders, supervisors, managers, and their respective staff officials.
• Represents the Agency as trial attorney in cases that frequently involve difficult legal issues or factual questions, for which clearly applicable precedents may not exist because of the unique issue or complexity of the facts.
• Conducts pre-hearing examination of witnesses and research in connection with pending cases and analyzes factual and legal issues.
• Presents the Agency's case through examining and cross-examining witnesses during hearings, presenting opening and closing statements, and makes legal arguments in support of the agency's position.
• Advises supervisors and key management officials as to whether a case should be tried or settled and provides supervisors and key management officials' progress reports throughout the administrative and judicial process
• Develops the Agency position on litigation issues that arise in conjunction with Federal court and administrative quasi-judicial proceedings.
• Ensures Agency compliance with settlement agreements, subpoenas of government officials, requests for review of Agency files, and documents relevant to pending cases.
• Advises the Agency and leadership and supervisors on a variety of administrative matters.
• Provides ethics advice and reviews, manages confidential financial disclosure matters, reviews Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests, and advises investigating officers and conducts legal sufficiency reviews for AR 15-6 investigations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance for access for the duration of employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to submit 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.
• 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.
• Candidates are required to disclose any pending ethics or other judicial or miscellaneous allegation under review, including any adverse findings by a state bar or disciplinary committee.
• A two year trial/probationary period may be required.
• This position is subject to a Temporary Duty or business travel requirement of 25% or less of the time.

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-14 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.
• This position requires a 2 year trial period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• 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.
• 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.