About the Position: This position is located at HQ U.S. Army Medical Command, Personal Staff, Falls Church, 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.

Duties

Independently reviews problem cases, agreements, legislation, policies, and regulations and other such issues to determine that all applicable laws, precedents, regulations, and administrative legal requirements are met. Applies thorough professional knowledge and experienced judgment to independently plan and complete assignments. Renders advice in the absence of legal precedents in many areas, and legal opinion is deemed as authoritative. Performs or directs extraordinary legal research and engages in a high order of creative interpretation and reasoning, including advice regarding the comparative risks, benefits, and consequences of various courses of action. Reviews and advises upon organizational structure and realignment and/or transformation throughout and subsequent to the transition of healthcare delivery to Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Medical Command's (MEDCOM) transition to readiness. Confers as needed with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of the Army, and DHA and with the Office of The Judge Advocate General (OTJAG). Serves as a subject matter expert for MEDCOM Commander/The Surgeon General (TSG) on Army medical legal equities in matters of Army and Department of Defense regulation. Provides professional legal advice to the MEDCOM staff and to four O-5 Command Judge Advocates at subordinate regional commands in a broad variety of military legal and regulatory issues. Advises and assists the MEDCOM commander and staff in developing policies and procedures to implement laws, regulations and directives. Reviews proposed negative counseling of military and civilian personnel, recommendations for adverse actions and rebuttals to the same for legal sufficiency. In the absence of the SJA or when directed, represents the SJA and OSJA at in-person meetings with the TSG/Commander MEDCOM, CoS, OTJAG, HQDA, Army OGC and outside agencies such as DHA, DOJ, sister services, etc. within the capital region. Provides advice and opinions with regard to a wide variety of laws, regulations, directives and policies. Reviews problem cases, proposed agreements, legislation, policies, and regulations. Advises the Staff Judge Advocate and OTSG/MEDCOM command and staff on interpretation of federal statutes and regulations. Designated by the MEDCOM Staff Judge Advocate as an Ethics Counselor. Ensures that legal advice is furnished in a timely manner and advises clients of the alternatives and possible solutions which are legally permissible or desirable. Conducts legal reviews relating to disposition of requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, including FOIA requests forwarded to this headquarters by subordinate commands for action by the MEDCOM initial denial authority. Supervises Health Law personnel and manages the Health Law portfolio of the OSJA. Reviews work products of a GS-14 Health Law Attorney and GS-11 paralegal. Ensures desirable uniformity and consistency of interpretation and application of statues, regulations, and policy, possible precedential effect, and overall effectiveness. Cases may involve medical malpractice, negligence, misconduct, adverse patient outcomes, and/or personal injury or death of the patient. Coordinates actions as necessary with the Navy and Air Force medical commands and DHA. Supervises Defense Health Headquarters (DHHQ)-assigned GS-11 administrative paralegal and augmenting Active Duty and Reserve personnel assigned at DHHQ for OSJA special missions.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A two year trial/probationary period may be required.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret 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.

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 in Administrative and Health Law. Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs. Ability to supervise or lead others. 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.) a member in good standing with 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 https://www.gsa.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 http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Contacts

• Address HT-APF-W3VY01 US ARMY MEDICAL CMD, HQ DO NOT MAIL Arlington, VA 22202 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk