This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Technology Programs Law Division (TPLD). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Assistant General Counsel for R&D Acquisition. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a Supervisory Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-15, your typical work assignments may include: Providing legal advice to contracting officers, program managers, and senior officials concerning the laws applicable to all phases of the R&D contracting process, including acquisition planning, solicitation and award, contract administration, and the resolution of bid protests/disputes. The ideal candidate would have some experience with R&D centric solicitation and award instruments (e.g., Other Transaction Agreements, Small Business Innovation Research Program, Prize Competitions, and/or Partnership Intermediary Agreements). Providing legal advice for the full range of issues arising in the fields of R&D contracting and R&D grants/cooperative agreement awards, including intellectual property rights, technical data, claims, bid protests/disputes, fiscal law, information security, protection of governmental rights and property, and other related areas which arise in furtherance of and in connection with the mission of the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). Representing S&T in claims, bid protests, and contract appeals before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA), and assist the Department of Justice when appeals are filed before the United States Court of Federal Claims or the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Researching, rendering, and generating authoritative written and oral legal opinions; opinions involve complex and difficult legal problems resulting from the formation and management of government contracts, and grants/cooperative agreements. Supervising, leading, and managing assigned acquisition attorneys who support S&T. Performing other duties as assigned. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
• You must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• You may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. Specialized Experience: The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application. Specialized experience is experience providing legal advice and support on matters related to government procurement issues in the federal government. At least five years of experience as a practicing attorney is desired. At least two years of supervisory experience is desired, but not required. As the Assistant General Counsel for R&D Acquisition you will be responsible for providing legal advice for government contracts, inter-agency acquisitions, and grants entered into by DHS's Science and Technology Directorate ("S&T") in the areas of research, development, test, and evaluation. S&T's contracts are issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR") or DHS's Other Transaction Agreement authority and relate to a broad portfolio of S&T programs. S&T also awards and administers several large management and operations contracts to operate Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) on behalf of DHS. As the Assistant General Counsel for R&D Acquisition you will also have supervisory and management responsibilities for currently three other government contracts attorneys supporting S&T. S&T is the primary research, development, test, and evaluation component of the Department. Led by a Senate-confirmed Under Secretary, S&T has an annual budget of roughly $800 Million. The work carried out in S&T, in partnership with the private sector, national laboratories, universities, international partners, and other government agencies, helps push the innovation envelope and drives development and use of high technology in support of the Department's operational units. Areas of research and development contracting include innovative, new technologies to support DHS's operational components. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Lori Pollacci
• Phone: 202-573-0592
• Email: [email protected]