About the Position: This position is located with U.S. Army Legal Services Agency Office of Soldier's Counsel Fort Sam Houston, TX. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized. This is a developmental position to the full performance GS-13 grade level. 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

At the entry level of Law Clerk GS-0904-11 you will perform the below responsibilities; Serves as Law Clerk in the Office of Soldiers’ Counsel. Under close supervision and review of the attorney to whom assigned, provides, interpretations and determinations on matters involved in Soldiers Physical Evaluation Board Counsel (SPEBC). Performs legal research in final form, on a variety of complex and difficult legal problems in all areas of responsibility of the Office of Soldiers’ Counsel. Law Clerks prepare drafts of pleadings and motions in connection with cases in litigation. They conduct investigations to obtain facts, study legal precedents, and prepare recommendations. They assist attorneys in charge of court cases by cross-examining witnesses and by drafting findings of fact, conclusions of law, and orders based upon the record. Responds to inquiries concerning the work of the of the office and prepares in final form and for signature of proper official. At the full performance Attorney-Adviser (General) GS-0905-13 level you will perform the below responsibilities; 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. 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. Coordinate and support the Soldiers Medical Evaluation Board Counsel (SMEBC) during the MEB process; research and analyze medical and legal issues and complete work product in a timely and professional manner. Thoroughly prepares the client, witnesses, and documents for presentation to the PEB, using material evidence, persuasive legal argument, and relevant precedent. Prepares post-hearing briefs, appeals, and correspondence, to include appeals to the US Army Physical Disability Agency (USAPDA) of PEB decisions, rating appeals to the appropriate VA office. As directed by ROSC, serves as Soldiers’ Medical Evaluation Board Counsel (SMEBC), represents and advises clients during the MEB process in support of IDES. GS-11 and GS-12 attorneys will be assigned less complex work and require more supervision that those at the full performance (GS-13) level.

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.
• Position requires the incumbent to obtain and 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.
• This position may require Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel of up to 5% of the time.
• Appointment at the Law Clerk GS-0904-11 level requires Bar membership to be obtained within 1 year of appointment to the position.

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. Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education Requirements for Law Clerk GS-0904-11: Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) within 90 days of application. Education Requirements for Attorney-Adviser GS-0905-11/12/13: Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.). 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: To be considered for the Attorney-Adviser GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 level, 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. If no Bar Membership is possessed, you will still be considered for the Law Clerk GS-0904-11 position. Experience for Law Clerk GS-0904-11: In addition to the requirements above, applicants who have NOT yet passed a state bar exam are qualified to be hired as GS-0904-11 Law Clerk for their first assignment and then noncompetitively converted to a GS-0905 attorney after admission to the bar and submission of required documentation. Bar membership must be obtained within 1 year of appointment to the position. Experience for Attorney-Adviser GS-0905-11: In addition to the requirements above, applicants who have passed a state bar exam are qualified to be hired as GS-0905-11 Attorney-Adviser for their first assignment. Experience for Attorney-Adviser GS-0905-12: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-12 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess a year 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. Experience for Attorney-Adviser GS-0905-13: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-13 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess two or more 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-W0KE9V US ARMY LEGAL SERVICES AGENCY DO NOT MAIL Fort Cavazos, TX 76544 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk