About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Installation Legal Office, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. 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

Provides legal services and advice involving extremely complex and difficult legal questions involving major weapon system testing as an integral part of government weapon system acquisition, as well as all attendant procurement and contract actions. Furnishes authoritative legal advice on topics to include acquisition strategy and business judgment, legal reviews of solicitations, awards, other acquisition actions, supporting justification documents, and appropriate funding of those actions. Renders authoritative legal advice and sound business judgment on such matters as: development of contract performance work statements, market research, and quality assurance surveillance plans; preparation of solicitation, etc. Renders both authoritative oral and written opinions to Senior Command staff and leaders on the application of the principles of Federal appropriations law. Renders both authoritative oral and written opinions and advice on assignments of contracts, contract modifications, indemnity of contractors contractual rights in data, proprietary rights and release of technical information matters, etc. Serves as primary local acquisitions attorney in order to liaison with agency and U.S. Department of Justice litigation attorneys at contract protests and appeals. Renders well researched legal advice, assistance, and support to management and applicable personnel with respect to environmental law matters including the issuance and enforcement of permits, unauthorized activities and jurisdiction. Renders legal advice, assistance, and support requiring research, interpretation and application of environmental case law, statutes, regulations, and policies pertaining to planning, engineering, construction, and operation of civil works projects. Recommends referrals to the United States Attorney for criminal or civil action, as appropriate, after consulting with representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies. Advises on matters concerning compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and involving issues which may involve potential civil or criminal liability. Assists environmental planners in the formulation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Participates in legal evaluation of NEPA documents before, during, and after public review; negotiates with other State and Federal regulatory agencies in obtaining requisite permits for Corps of Engineers projects. Provides well researched legal advice and assistance involving interpretation of statutes and regulations in civilian personnel law, employment discrimination law and all labor relations matters to management and applicable personnel. Advises the Commander and senior management officials on informal resolution of grievances, EEO complaints, disciplinary actions, and Unfair Labor Practice complaints. Participates on the management negotiating teams before and during union contract negotiations. Maintains close working relationship with and assists in the training of Human Resources and EEO offices. Serves as agency representative and trial attorney for formal adversary hearings before arbitrators and administrative law judges, and prepares the appeal record and necessary pleadings and motions. Provides general legal assistance services to eligible active duty and retired service members, their family members, and other individuals eligible for U.S. Army legal assistance covering the entire State of New Mexico. Serves as Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) representing the United States in the prosecution of misdemeanor offenses in the local United States Magistrate's Court. Performs legal research on a variety of areas of the law including, but not limited to, fiscal law, government ethics, privacy law, and other general and military administrative and civil law. Coordinates with Assistant United States Attorneys assigned to cases originating within the exclusive federal jurisdiction of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR).

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: Performs legal research and analysis, assistance and coordination in final form, on a variety of the most complex and difficult legal problems in all areas of responsibility for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, White Sands Missile Range, NM. Areas include, but are not limited to labor and employment law, administrative law, litigation, procurement law, environmental law, criminal law and general legal assistance. Provides well researched legal advice and assistance involving interpretation of statutes and regulations in civilian personnel law, employment discrimination law and all labor relations matters to management and applicable personnel. Performs legal research on a variety of areas of the law including, but not limited to, fiscal law, government ethics, privacy law, and other general and military administrative and civil law. Provides general legal assistance services to eligible active duty and retired service members, their family members, and other individuals eligible for U.S. Army legal assistance covering the entire State of New Mexico. Personally conducts thorough research and analysis of facts, statutes, case law, regulations, agency policy and other precedents. 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 your application materials. Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-13 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 2 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 BW-APF-W6CJAA US ARMY GARRISON WHITE SANDS DO NOT MAIL White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk