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

Incumbent interviews and provides personal legal counseling to active duty and retired military personnel and to their eligible family members. Renders professional counseling on personal commercial contracts, the purchase and sale of personal and real property, immigration and naturalization, domestic relations, the planning and probate of wills and estates, survivor benefits, etc. Drafts legal correspondence and documents for clients including wills, POAs, and separation agreements; prepares documents for in-court filing including custody, divorce, name change, legitimating, adoption, and paternity petitions. Provides advice and/or representation to service members who are entitled by law, regulation, or policy to legal assistance regarding military administrative matters including reports of survey, bars to reenlistment, line of duty determinations, etc. Coordinates with the Survivors Outreach Services Office to provide priority causality assistance services to families of fallen Soldiers. Performs preventive law functions of publicity, education, and training to ensure clients and the military community are informed about the availability of legal assistance and privileges of service members available under varying circumstances. Instructs and/or supervises classes and/or briefings with respect to legal assistance issues. Employee provides general advice and assistance about Federal, state, and local taxes. Employee conducts legal research, keeps abreast of recent developments, and increases legal knowledge by attending continuing legal education courses and seminars. Serves as Chief, Legal Assistance Division, and as supervisory attorney-advisor in the Legal Assistance Division of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Incumbent is responsible as first line supervisor for work, planning, review, evaluation, counsel and development of subordinate personnel. Distributes work assignments to assure effective and expeditious accomplishment of work without adverse effect on regular and recurring work. Assures uniform application of all operating policies and procedures, coordination of all related responsibilities, and resolution of all problems encountered in day-to-day operations. Employee renders opinions for US Army Garrison Commander, Senior Commander, and staffs as directed by the SJA relating to incumbent's specific area of expertise. Makes recommendations for promotion, transfer, commendation and disciplining subordinates. Develops recommended standards of performance for subordinates and prepares performance appraisals. Responsible for ensuring Wounded Warriors and their families receive legal assistance consistent with the Army’s Medical Action Plan and other applicable Army regulations.

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. Ability to provide technical supervision, plan work requirements, and lead other personnel. 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 FS-W6CDAA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG FT KNOX DO NOT MAIL Fort Knox, KY 40121 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk