Job Requirements
Germany
Top Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Senior Level Career (10+ yrs experience)
$126,384 - $164,301
Job Description
About the Position: This position is located at HQ, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Office of the Commander-J0, Legal Counsel-J054, Stuttgart, Germany.
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.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
About the Position: This position is located at HQ, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Office of the Commander-J0, Legal Counsel-J054, Stuttgart, Germany.
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.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Open 11/05/2026 to 12/07/2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Stuttgart, Germany
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—In accordance with Agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$126,384 - $164,301 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Promotion potential
None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - This position requires approximately 10% of the incumbent's time to be spent in a temporary duty (TDY) status, including travel to Africa utilizing any mode of military or commercial transportation.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a
background check and some require a
security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require
financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CHAT-26-13101734-DHA
Control number
891863200
This job is open to
Help
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Duties
Help
Requirements
Help
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:
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 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 https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
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.
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 https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
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 http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Additional information
This in an Excepted service position and is not eligible for Statutory or Administrative return rights IAW DODI 1400.25 and AR 690-300, Chapter 18, Return Rights. Contact your organizations Human Resources Specialist if you have any questions.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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 benefits
Eligibility 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 evaluated
You 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.
Benefits
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 benefits
Eligibility 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.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
The following documents are required:
Your resume:
References:
The following documents are preferred at the time of application, but not required:
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not h
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.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
About the Position: This position is located at HQ, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Office of the Commander-J0, Legal Counsel-J054, Stuttgart, Germany.
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.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Open 11/05/2026 to 12/07/2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Stuttgart, Germany
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—In accordance with Agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$126,384 - $164,301 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Promotion potential
None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - This position requires approximately 10% of the incumbent's time to be spent in a temporary duty (TDY) status, including travel to Africa utilizing any mode of military or commercial transportation.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a
background check and some require a
security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require
financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CHAT-26-13101734-DHA
Control number
891863200
This job is open to
Help
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Duties
Help
- Serves as the senior supervisory attorney for the Administrative and Civil Law Division within U.S. Africa Command’s Office of Legal Counsel.
- Supervises a mixed military-civilian team of five attorneys (2 DA civilian, 2 active component, and 1 reserve component) and bears primary responsibility for their professional development.
- Exercises independent judgment in the planning, coordination, and execution of complex legal assignments involving administrative and civil law matters of command-wide, DoD-wide, national, or international significance.
- Serves as the recognized command expert and primary legal advisor on: (a) interagency, inter-service, and exercise support agreements (including negotiation with foreign partner nations); (b) civilian personnel, labor, and employment law.
- Provides definitive legal advice to Flag and General Officers, Senior Executive Service personnel, and other senior officials on the full range of administrative and civil law matters including FOIA and Privacy Act, Anti-Deficiency Act, ethics, etc.
- Serves as the primary legal liaison with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, other Combatant Commands, the Military Services, and foreign government officials on issues within the Division’s portfolio.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
- Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
- Position requires the incumbent to be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) security clearance for access for the duration of employment.
- 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.
- Incumbent must be a U.S. citizen.
- Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified Critical under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program.
- This position is subject to a pre-employment screening and testing thereafter, including random testing, testing based on reasonable suspicion, and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
- Must obtain and maintain a no-fee passport and associated visa while assigned to a Federal civilian position in an area requiring a passport and associated visa, if authorized.
- Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain Country/Theater clearance per the foreign clearance guide, obtain any vaccinations and pertinent immunizations, and complete any pre-employment screening for country entry.
- Incumbent must be available 24/7 dependent on mission requirements. This will include on-call, stand-by, and after duty hours, as well as occasional shift work, including after hours, holiday, and weekend duty.
- Position requires official international travel, including travel to locations within the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Area of Responsibility.
- Incumbent remains strictly required to receive and maintain all mandatory, destination-specific travel vaccinations and medical clearances necessary to execute official travel.
- Position may be designated as Mission Essential. Employee can be required to remain on duty or report for duty during contingency operations or other emergency situations.
- Position requires approximately 10% of the incumbent’s time to be spent in a temporary duty (TDY) status, including travel to Africa utilizing any mode of military or commercial transportation.
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 involving administrative, civil, labor/employment, fiscal, and international law.
- Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance to senior military and civilian leaders (Flag/General Officer and SES level).
- Ability to supervise and lead a small mixed military-civilian legal team, including performance management and professional development.
- Ability to analyze, formulate legally sound opinions, and represent the agency on complex civilian personnel, labor, and employment law matters (including litigation before administrative boards).
- Skill in drafting, negotiating, interpreting, and advising on international and interagency agreements (including exercise support arrangements, MOUs/MOAs, and Status of Forces-related instruments).
- Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of complex legal matters while coordinating with multiple legal offices and senior stakeholders.
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 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 https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
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.
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 https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
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 http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.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.
- 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.
- This is a Career Program 56 Legal position under the PILLAR Career Management Directorate, which falls under the Army Civilian Career Management Activity.
- 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.
- Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
- Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as outlined in DoD Instruction 1315.19.
- U.S. citizens overseas under ordinarily resident status are not eligible for appointment under the Status of Forces Agreement.
- Locality pay does not apply in the overseas area.
- On this overseas accompanied tour, medical and DoDDS special education services may not be available in the immediate location of this position.
- Movement overseas may require you to initiate a change in your health benefits plan to ensure coverage
- Employees (and family members) who require medical or dental care in the overseas location will be responsible for obtaining and paying for such care. Access for civilian employees and their families to military medical and dental treatment facilities is on a space-available and reimbursable basis only.
- Pay retention may be offered to selected applicants for positions at overseas locations. Pay retention will not be offered as an incentive for employees moving between overseas positions.
- Selectees may receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, home leave, etc. Selectees will have their eligibility for foreign area benefits determined at the time of hire in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and DoDI 1400.25 volume 1250. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V1250.pdf
- Defense National Relocation Program will not be authorized.
- 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.
This in an Excepted service position and is not eligible for Statutory or Administrative return rights IAW DODI 1400.25 and AR 690-300, Chapter 18, Return Rights. Contact your organizations Human Resources Specialist if you have any questions.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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 benefits
Eligibility 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 evaluated
You 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.
Benefits
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 benefits
Eligibility 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.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
The following documents are required:
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.
- Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
- 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 qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
- For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
References:
- Must provide three (3) licensed attorney references with contact information.
The following documents are preferred at the time of application, but not required:
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not h
group id: DOA