Summary

About the Position: Incumbent relies on own knowledge and ability to independently plan, organize and perform work on assigned cases and problems for construction claims and appeals, contract formation, environmental work, EEO and employee relations work.

Duties

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• Reviews, analyzes, and provides legal advice on disposition of contract claims, to include money and difficult legal problems including fraud, and factual disputes because of the absence of closely applicable precedents.
• Plans, organizes and conducts the factual and legal research to these claims in line with current decisions of Federal and State Courts, the various boards of Contract Appeals, Comptroller General Decisions, and statutes and regulations.
• Responsible for laying the complete foundation for and trying cases appealed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
• Researches, analyzes, and provides legal advice on problems involving important legal or policy questions regarding innovative high dollar, long term contracts arising during contract formation.
• Provides legal advice on any and all types of questions which arise on procurement matters prior to the award of a contract.
• Renders legal assistance and advice on various environmental law issues like reviews of environmental impact statements under NEPA, issuance of permits under sections of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
• Provides legal advice and assistance to managers, the District Engineer, and the Equal Employment Office, in the broad area of Federal Employment law.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires a financial disclosure OGE-450 and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 20% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Education Requirement: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD.).

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: Two or more years of professional legal experience. Examples of this experience are: 1) Examines contract records, interviews personnel involved in engineering, contract administration and inspection activities, and uses experts in the areas of engineering, contract administration and scheduling; 2) Performs extensive research and analysis and prepares the Contracting Officer's report in final form for transmittal directly to the Division Counsel or Chief Counsel; 3) Renders legal assistance and advice in regard to 1) water resources planning for Federal and non-Federal projects; the preparation and processing of environmental impact statements and assessments under the National Environmental Protection Act; 4) Provides legal advice and assistance in the broad area of Employment law, including but not limited to: Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 29 CFR 1614; 5 CFR [redacted] and 1209, et seq; 5 USC 1205; 5 USC 7701; 5 USC 7504, 7514, and 7543.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position: must possess either an advance law degree such as an LLM (masters of law) or graduated with a distinguished record from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class which may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience after being admitted to the bar. Examples of this experience are: 1) Examines contract records, interviews personnel involved in engineering, contract administration and inspection activities, and uses experts in the areas of engineering, contract administration and scheduling; 2) Performs extensive research and analysis and prepares the Contracting Officer's report in final form for transmittal directly to the Division Counsel or Chief Counsel; 3) Renders legal assistance and advice in regard to 1) water resources planning for Federal and non-Federal projects; the preparation and processing of environmental impact statements and assessments under the National Environmental Protection Act; 4) Provides legal advice and assistance in the broad area of Employment law, including but not limited to: Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 29 CFR 1614; 5 CFR [redacted] and 1209, et seq; 5 USC 1205; 5 USC 7701; 5 USC 7504, 7514, and 7543. (Experience must be documented in your resume.)

Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (must provide a copy)

Fitness to Practice Law: An applicant must currently be fit to practice law. If your fitness to practice law, or your conduct has ever been challenged you must submit a sworn statement giving the facts and circumstances, together with any explanations you consider appropriate. The sworn statement should be notarized and dated within 3 months of the date of your application. (If you are currently employed as an attorney with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this requirement does not apply to you).

Time in Grade Requirements: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government you must have completed 1 year at the next lower level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 2 year trial period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a(n) Legal Career Program position aligned under the PILLAR Career Management Directorate.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• A Relocation incentive may be authorized if it is in the best interest of the government.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.