About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK), Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. 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

Performs various legal services, which require research, analysis, and seasoned judgment to interpret new or changed policies, federal and state statutes, administrative decisions, case law, legal opinions, as well as DOD and Army regulations. Maintains broad functional knowledge of statutory and case law, regulatory, and administrative decisions. Ensures accuracy and professionalism of all legal documents. Provides advice based upon accurate research and prevailing legal practices and procedures. Maintains contact with state and local courts and legal personnel to enhance the pro se program. Plans, coordinates, and conducts preventive law programs and community affairs activities. Coordinates with Army Community Service representatives to identify common or recurring situations or legal problems affecting the military community. Provides advice and, when required, representation for Army Soldiers who are entitled by law, regulation, or TJAG policy to legal assistance involving military administrative matters including reports of survey, FLIPLs, bars to reenlistment/QMP, etc. Provides advice and counsel on effect and procedures, to include garnishment rules, modification and enforcement of support orders, repossession procedures, default judgments, bankruptcy and adverse personnel actions. Provides specific analysis and detailed advice on the legal and practical meaning and effects of divorce, legal separations, property division, annulment, custody and visitation, but represents only one party to the case. Works with Family Readiness Groups and Army Community Services to ensure combat readiness in event of emergency deployment by taking actions in concert with commanders to ensure deployable personnel have put their personal legal affairs in order. Prepares memorandums and detailed technical litigation reports for the U.S. Army Litigation Division of the Office of The Judge Advocate General. Performs legal research and analysis, formulates conclusions, and makes recommendations for litigation of cases. Reviews and approves administrative settlements of claims for damage or loss of personal property submitted by soldiers and civilian employees incident to their service. Supervises the claims examiner paralegal position at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Plans work to be accomplished, sets and adjusts priorities, prepares schedules, and oversees work product. Assigns work based upon priorities, selective consideration of difficulty and requirements of assignments.

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. 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.) 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 EV-APF-W0AKAA US ARMY ALASKA, HQ DO NOT MAIL Fort Wainwright, AK 99703 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk