About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) and Fort Buchanan, Installation Legal Office, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. 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 acts as labor and Civilian personnel law consultant to Army managers in the implementation and application of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and employment discrimination laws. Provides legal opinions on administrative law, civilian personnel law, labor management relations, equal employment opportunity, as well as all associated problems concerning the Office of Personnel. Conducts research in connection with cases pending administrative hearing to analyze factual and legal issues and to determine what further facts are needed and what legal sources are applicable. Serves as contract law attorney in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, and Legal Assistance Attorney with the Installation Legal Office. Investigates, prepares and presents government's cases to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. Acts as liaison with local U.S. Attorneys, contractors or their counsel and government contracting officers in disputes over contract provisions. Assists in preparation and reviews of intraservice agreements and, agreements between the Army and other Federal agencies. Provides oral and written advice concerning civilian personnel law and administrative law to Fort Buchanan and all serviced activities. Duties will involve preparation of legal documents, recommendations on the advisability of proposed actions, administrative hearings or other dispositions and the preparation of advisory opinions for high level administrative personnel. Advises negotiating officials in collective bargaining agreements. Provide legal assistance to Soldiers, retirees, dependents, and other eligible clients. Perform supervisory duties as assigned.

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: Ability to analyze, formulate legal opinions, provide advice, and represent the agency on general contract law matters Skill in providing expert legal and policy advice on civilian personnel matters, including expert legal advice on civilian personnel law, labor law, and employment law issues. Knowledge of administrative law in areas such as administrative investigations, Government property management, Privacy Act issues, records management, funding and fiscal law matters, Memorandum of Understanding, Memorandum of Agreement, and Freedom of Information Act. Knowledge of ethics law in areas such as integrity concerns, Non-Federal Entity considerations, financial disclosure reports, and travel and conference reviews Ability to provide legal advice and legal assistance on a variety of topics to military clients, their dependents, retirees, and other eligible clients. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels as well as with key individuals in a variety of other federal organizations and interest groups Ability to supervise or lead others and work cooperatively as part of a 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-W1H1AA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG FT BUCHANAN DO NOT MAIL Fort Buchanan, PR 00934 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk