About the Position: This position is located at Fort Sam Houston, TX. 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 the Chief Counsel, United States Army Environmental Command (USAEC). Studies complex legal and factual issues in developing areas of law that relate to the protection of environmental, legal, contractual, financial, and nationwide policy interests of the Army. Establishes administrative policies to assure coordination between or among this and other areas. Discusses changes in overall USAEC policy affecting environmental and general administrative law or activities as a whole. Exercises responsibility for accomplishment of all activities, exercising mature judgment to those matters of such significance as to warrant the attention of the USAEC Commander, and in keeping him or her apprised of pertinent developments.

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 Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) or 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 an active bar membership that permits the representation of the Federal Government in the courts of their jurisdiction to the extent that private practice attorneys are able to for their clients.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Current and former Federal employees and 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: A Master of Laws (LL.M.) in environmental law is highly desirable. Must have in-depth experience as a practicing environmental law attorney and possess at least ten years of relevant experience. Must be thoroughly competent in environmental, natural and cultural, and real property law and knowledgeable in administrative and general law. Three years credit will be provided for an LL.M. in a related field. Must have the skill and ability to conduct complex legal research and a familiarity with the research resources most commonly involved in environmental, natural and cultural resources, and real property laws. This includes various statutes, Department of Defense and Army policy and guidance, the United States Code, court opinions, the Code of Federal Regulations, etc. Familiarity with electronic research resources such as Westlaw, Lexis, etc. is required. Experience working within a large and complex legal organization is highly desirable but not required. Similarly, experience working at high levels with the Department of Defense or Department of the Army is desired but not required. 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: 1) Education: Assignments require the first professional law degree (Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctorate (J.D.)). Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation. The Army General Counsel may make an exception upon a showing that a candidate possesses superior qualifications and that no well-qualified candidates from accredited law schools are available. 2) Bar Membership: Applicants must be active members in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of a State, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 3) Professional Legal Experience GS-15: Applicants must possess more than 3 years of professional legal experience after admission to the bar commensurate with the duties of the position. 4) Time in Grade (current Federal employees): Candidates selected for advancement will normally have completed at least one year of service that is one grade lower than the position to be filled. The selecting official may request a waiver of the one year requirement in cases where hardship or inequity exists. 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 FT-W3V8AA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG FT SAM HOUSTON DO NOT MAIL Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk