About the position: Services as an Attorney-Adviser (Contract) in the DHA Office of General Council. This vacancy is located in Falls Church, Virginia. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Duties

Serve as Associate General Counsel in the DHA Office of General Counsel, with continuing responsibility for providing legal advisory services to a range of clients in all areas of contract law. Review and opine on various proposed agreements implicating the obligation of appropriated funds or purporting to establish business or other relationships between the DHA and non-federal entities. Serve as principal/lead attorney in charge of preparation and presentation of contract cases before administrative and judicial forums. Prepare legal briefs and other materials in representing the DHA on contract claims and other matters arising under the Disputes Clause before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals; Provide contracting officers and program managers, at various levels, a single point of contact for answering legal questions arising from designated acquisition programs. Provide guidance and advice in cases where legal authority is undeveloped and the legal questions are novel, requiring considerable initiative and creative thought to arrive at useful solutions Participate in formal and informal training and periodically provides training to contract attorney staff and contracting/acquisition personnel

Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
• Approximately 5% travel may be required. Travel may be local, remote and or overnight.
• Required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually, in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, dated 17-Nov-2011.

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: Skill in identifying legal issues and conducting relevant legal research within Contract Law (e.g., contract financing, formation, administration, litigation, and close-out etc.) Skill in advising on complex programs or as legal counsel within the DHA acquisitions and acquisition programs. Skill in duties that involve advising contracting officers and program managers, at various levels, a single point of contact for answering legal questions arising from designated acquisition programs. Skill in oral and written advocacy. Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs. 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 Defense Health Agency considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (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. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/). TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 52 weeks 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 as the position being filled. Time-in grade may be waived for current federal employees at management's discretion. The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD). Bar membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three (3) months of the date the application is submitted. Experience Required: Applicant must have three (3) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address KF-DHA-DDAAFC DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY HQ DO NOT MAIL Falls Church, VA 22042 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk