About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Fort Johnson, Installation Legal Office, Fort Johnson, Louisiana. 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

Reviews and provides legal opinions on full scope of administrative law actions and investigations. Conducts research and provides in-depth legal analysis, opinions, and advice to the Command on a variety of policy and legal matters arising in connection with the law of military installations, military operations, and MWR activities. Serves as a representative of the OSJA on the installation Crisis Action Team, which may include 24 hour operations, to provide legal advice on emergency response and recovery operations. Serves as legal advisor to Article 32b Investigating Officers, Boards of Inquiry, Army Regulation 15-6 Investigating Officers, Financial Liability Officers and persons appointed as investigating officers. Serves as an installation attorney-adviser with responsibility for administering Fort Polk's Ethics Program, including employee training and advice to senior leadership regarding interaction with non-military entities. Receives, reviews, and analyzes Financial Disclosure Reports (SF 278) and Confidential Statement of Affiliations and Financial Interests (OGE 450), to assure compliance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. Based upon expert knowledge of laws, legal decisions and precedents, and actual experience with unique contract law matters, consults, reviews and renders opinions to Fort Polk Contracting Officers relating to all aspects of the contracting process. Reviews for legal sufficiency solicitations and requests for proposals that may result in the award of government contracts and verifies that funding is in accordance with current fiscal law. Attends meetings and working groups but not limited to, Advanced Planning Acquisition Board, Contract Management Assistance Team, Economic Crimes Council, and Contracting Board of Awards, as the contract legal advisor on spectrum of contract law. Acts as an assistant to the Installation Procurement Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Officer for the coordination of procedures to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of government funds and recommends suspension or debarment of government contractor. Responsibilities include the planning and accomplishment of legal research and opinions pertaining to diversified environmental matters. Serves as legal adviser to numerous committees and groups to include the Fort Polk Environmental Quality Control Committee, Hazardous Waste Management Board, and Real Property Planning Board. Reviews and responds to questions pertaining to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Hazardous and Toxic Substances Act, Endangered Species Act, Native American Graves and Repatriation Act, etc. Provides oral and written advice concerning civilian personnel law, employment discrimination law and all labor relations matters.

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 may require the incumbent to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• 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.
• This is a "Mission Essential" position. Incumbents are not subject to administrative dismissal in emergencies created by inclement weather conditions or emergency situations as appropriate.
• A Mission Essential employee is required to report for, or remain at work in emergency situations, and dismissal or closure announcements do not apply unless his/her supervisor instructs otherwise.
• Incumbent must maintain a functioning telephone at residence to aid in contact during recall situations.

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: Ability to identify, research, document, and organize legally and factually complex issues. Ability to prepare legal opinions that are concise, well-reasoned, legally sound, and consistent with relevant precedent. Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and/or lead a team to resolve issues. Ability to work effectively with senior officials as clients. Knowledge of applicable rules of professional responsibility and ethics. 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 EP-APF-W0VFAA US ARMY GARRISON FORT JOHNSON JRTC DO NOT MAIL Fort Johnson, LA 71459 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk