About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, Office of the Soldier's Counsel (OSC) Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) with duty location at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. 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 Attorney Adviser (General) at the Regional Office of Soldiers’ Counsel (ROSC) under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Attorney Adviser (General). Responsible for providing Soldiers Physical Evaluation Board Counsel (SPEBC) legal services within the Office of Soldiers RSOC. Provides SPEBC support to the Medical Evaluation Board Remote Operating Center (MEBROC) mission to Wounded, Ill, and Injured Soldiers in the PEB process of the Army’s Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). Incumbent provides legal advice and counsel to clients in the PEB phase of IDES processing upon completion of the MEB. Prepares the client’s formal board case file by conducting research in connection with pending and past cases, analyzes factual and legal issues, gathers and analyzes medical records, diagnostic evaluations, and formulary tables. Required to understand and apply complex medical terminology, conditions and treatment to the client’s ability to perform military duties in order to effectively prepare a comprehensive legal presentation to the PEB. Presents the Soldier’s case before the regional PEB. Negotiates the informal resolution of issues and cases with the PEB, to the client’s satisfaction. Presentation at formal hearing includes examining and cross-examining witnesses, offering relevant exhibits into evidence, and making opening statements, closing arguments, and legal objections, as appropriate, in support of the client. Prepares post-hearing briefs, appeals, and correspondence, to include the US Army Physical Disability Agency of PEB decisions, rating appeals to the appropriate VA office, requests for Continuation on Active Duty (COAD) and other authorized appeals. Reviews case file and Soldier's medical records to evaluate potential and likely outcomes; assist in structuring the case to accomplish the client's desired, realistic end state. Advise client on potential results of the boards; advise client on other known medical testing or medical records which he should work with his medical team to be conducted or documented. Educates and explains the mechanics of the Army PDES to Soldiers, commanders and staff of both the Warrior Transition Unit and non-WTU units in their locations, health care practitioners, and civilian and military attorneys. Provide legal briefings IAW AR 600-8-101 and installation policies regarding in- and out-processing in the Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) and in other locations, as directed. Incumbent will properly screen and refer clients who are eligible to file claims UP AR 27-20 (e.g., personal items lost, damaged, or destroyed while deployed, or claims pursuant to a move of household goods) to the appropriate Claims Office.

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 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.
• Position requires all employees assigned to a MTF are required to be screened for applicable immunizations regardless of series, based on occupational risk, and are subject to missing/required immunizations IAW AR 40-562, Chapters 3 and 4.
• Physical exam may be required.

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 legal issues and conducting relevant legal research within Legal Assistance, Administrative Law, or Health Law. Skill in administrative hearings practice. Skill in oral and written advocacy. 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 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 HT-W0KE9H US ARMY LEGAL SERVICES AGENCY DO NOT MAIL Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk