Attorney-Adviser (Labor)

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.

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 https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.