The primary purpose of this position is to serve as attorney advisor to investigate, adjudicate and settle or defend complex multimillion dollar administrative tort claims and tort litigation arising from the worldwide aviation and admiralty activities of the Department of the Air Force (DAF), Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.

Duties

1. Has primary responsibility for the independent investigation, adjudication and settlement of multimillion dollar aviation and admiralty tort claims against the United States under the Military Claims Act (MCA), National Guard Claims Act (NGCA), Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), and Air Force Admiralty Claims Act (AFACA). 2. Has primary responsibility as subject matter expert within the Aviation and Admiralty Torts Division to the field, with demonstrated knowledge of complex legal issues, statutes, and regulations. 3. Provides substantial high quality litigation support to Department of Justice attorneys and Assistant United States Attorneys in all states and territories in defense of multimillion dollar, complex and often, precedent-setting lawsuits filed in U.S District Courts against the United States arising from DAF aviation and admiralty activities that often attract national and/or international attention. 4. Has primary responsibility to provide comment on behalf of the Air Force pertinent to all proposed tort-related legislation. 5. Trains judge advocates, civilian attorneys, and paralegals on all aspects of aviation and admiralty law and legal investigations to ensure all constitutional, statutory, and regulatory requirements are met during the conduct of aerospace and ground accident investigation boards, as well as the investigation and adjudication of tort claims.

Requirements

• Prior work or active duty experience to determine leave accrual may be considered for this position
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Attorney appointments are subject to serve a one-year probationary period
• Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official
• Incumbent must possess a Juris Doctor degree or equivalent from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA)
• Incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. State or Territory, or the District of Columbia. Duties occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory
• Overtime may be required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance
• Other duties as required. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties not specifically listed in this document that are consistent with the duties described herein.
• May travel by military or commercial air to conferences, meetings, and other functions away from the duty site
• Exempt (Professional): “This position meets the professional exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Standards Act (5 CFR 551.208).
• Superior Qualifications may be considered for this position

Qualifications

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: You 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). NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. In addition, at the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status with a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status. In addition to the above requirement: Professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, such as: in-depth knowledge of the Federal Tort Claims Act, Military Claims Act, National Guard Claims Act, Air Force Admiralty Claims Act, and other federal tort claims statutes and each statute's jurisdictional defenses. Knowledge of general principles of tort law, including proximate cause and the damages for loss of use or destruction of property, personal injury, and wrongful death. Knowledge of Air Force Instructions 51-301, Civil Litigation; 51-306, Administrative Claims For and Against the Air Force; 51-307, Aerospace and Ground Accident Investigations; and other Instructions and Regulations related to the duties outlined in this position. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to and be a member in good standing of a bar of a state, U.S.Territory, or the District of Columbia and have extensive experience in tort law. 2. In-depth knowledge of the Federal Tort Claims Act, Military Claims Act, National Guard Claims Act, Air Force Admiralty Claims Act, and other federal tort claims statutes, as well as related statutes, regulations and case law applying or interpreting the Acts; AND In-depth knowledge of aviation and admiralty law topics such as Federal Aviation Regulations, military safety privilege issues, accident investigation boards, the government contractor defense, and government employee participation in private litigation, as well as related statutes, regulations and case law. 3. Ability to investigate, effectively evaluate and appropriately settle or defend extremely complex, multimillion dollar tort claims. Must understand aviation and admiralty terminology and be able to work with aviation and admiralty experts; Ability to furnish legal advice on questions related to interpretation of federal and state statutes and judicial decisions, Air Force policy directives and instructions, DoD directives, delegation of authority, and the history and procedures implementing DAF policy; Ability to supervise and train subordinates in the research, analysis, and evaluation of complex and difficult legal questions that have a substantial impact on DAF interests; AND Ability to establish work priorities and delegate tasks. 4. Skill in effective written and oral communications. 5. In-depth knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and litigation techniques necessary for the defense of the DAF in judicial forums. 6. Tort litigation skills and ability to analyze complaints, motions, and related pleadings to determine applicable law, strengths and weaknesses of the case, courses of action to pursue, and the best possible defense of DAF interests. At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status and in good standing with a bar of the highest court of a State, US commonwealth, US territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status and dated within four months of application. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth. The attorney must maintain such bar membership in at least one jurisdiction during the entire course of employment with the Air Force.

Contacts

• Address AF Legal Operations Agency - Pentagon 1720 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330 US
• Name: Total Force Service Center
• Phone: 1-800-525-0102
• Email: [email protected]