About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Garrison and Fort Riley, Installation Legal Office, Fort Riley, Kansas. 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 subject matter expert and primary advisor to the Staff Judge Advocate on all matters related to claims against the Army filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and the Military Claims Act (MCA). Serves as the principal Claims Attorney for Fort Riley, Kansas, and its associated claims region, as designated by the U.S. Army Claims Service (USARCS). Responsible for all claims against the Army resulting from property damage, personal injury, or death where the claim arises in the AOR based on acts of negligence of personnel of all United States Armed Forces personnel. Incumbent makes decisions and recommendations, works independently in investigating cases, researching and interpreting precedents, and developing conclusions. Receives requests for reconsideration from claimants and independently prepares recommendations for USARCS for action on reconsideration requests. Serves as an additional attorney to the Legal Assistance Office. Provides direct legal services to clients, to include family law, landlord/tenant law, estate planning, civilian administrative matters, military administrative matters, and consumer law as well as other services provided for in AR 27-3. Works with USARCS personnel in conducting investigations and negotiating settlements with attorneys and claimants. Works closely with the United States Attorney in the appropriate district of the United States in all matters relating to tort litigation. Provides suggested legal defenses to the U.S. Attorney and appears in Federal Court during pretrial conferences and at trial. Responsible for planning, organizing and supervising the work of the claims branch. Provides guidance and advice and renders decisions on specific cases on a continuous basis through checks of progress, discussions, and review of completed work, and results obtained. Incumbent will also help to train and mentor attorneys, paralegals, and staff assigned to the Client Services Branch. Asserts affirmative claims under the Claims Collection Act in favor of the Army.

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: Knowledge of laws, judicial decisions, and regulations relating to federal claims law. Ability to analyze, formulate legal opinions, provide advice, and represent the agency on general claims law matter. Ability to communicate legal issues orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers. Ability to supervise and lead a small team. 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 FU-W0VMAA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG FT RILEY DO NOT MAIL Fort Riley, KS 66442 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk