About the Position: Serves as an Attorney-Adviser (General) in the DHA Office of General Counsel. These vacancies are located in Falls Church, VA This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Duties

Serve as Associate General Counsel in the Office of Administrative Law Branch. Provide legal advisory services including drafting and editing proposed legislation, regulations, and operational policy documents in the management of Department of Defense health care programs and the Defense Health Program appropriations. Ensure the preparation of comprehensive analytical reports of proposed legislation, evaluating its foreseeable effect on agency programs, policies, procedures, regulations, methods of operation, and extent of operation, and on existing legislation. Review and advise the Director, Defense Health Agency and the Defense Health Agency staff on a wide range of management actions, varying from preparing and/or reviewing testimony before Congress to personnel and management issues. Perform difficult legal work involving extremely complex and controversial legal questions and factual or policy issues. Assists the DHA General Counsel in determining legal sufficiency and compliance of operational policy with law and regulation governing TRICARE and the TRICARE Program. Develop recommendations and proposals for the Director, Defense Health Agency, for changes in operational policy and program policy based on the above.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• Approximately 5% travel may be required. Travel may involve local, and or overnight.
• Incumbent in this position must file an initial and annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) as required by 5CFR Part 2634

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 Management and Administrative Branch. Skill in advising on complex programs or as legal counsel within the Department of Defense health care programs and the Defense Health Program appropriations Skill in duties that involve advising the Director and staff on proper application of statutes, regulations, and administrative directives related to TRICARE and its worldwide operation. 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 for the GS-15: 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