About the Position: This position is located at Fort Riley Installation Legal Office ADMIN/CIV, Law Branch, Fort Riley, KS. 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

Serves as one of the primary attorneys giving direct advice to active-duty service members, retirees and their dependents, consistent with professional practice standards of the American Bar Association and the U.S. Army Legal Assistance Program. Serves as an office resource on local and other state law issues relating to areas covered under Army Regulation 27-3, The Army Legal Assistance Program. Provides direct legal services to clients, to include specific analysis and detailed advice on the legal and practical meaning and effects of divorce, legal separations, annulment, and custody. Employee provides legal advice, counseling, drafting, and execution of wills and codicils. Advises on estate planning to include tax considerations and trusts under applicable state statutes. Provides advice and counsel on the effects and procedures regarding adoptions, names change, garnishment rules, repossession procedures, default judgments, and adverse personnel actions. Provides advice and counsel on tenant's rights, eviction procedures, the legal effect and meaning of leases, offers to purchase, sales contracts, and consumer's rights in dealing with merchants, lenders, credit reporting agencies, etc. Employee prepares complex powers of attorney and other instruments. Advises and assists on family immigration for servicemembers, eligible dependents, and their family. Acts as liaison officer with local bar associations, courts, attorneys, legal aid societies, and other community service activities to facilitate resolution of specific problems and develop command legal assistance programs.

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.
• Must be a member of the Kansas bar or be eligible to sit for the next bar examination.

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. 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 in good standing with the bar of 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 3 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 EM-APF-W0VMAA US ARMY GARRISON FORT RILEY HQ DO NOT MAIL Fort Riley, KS 66442 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk