Summary About the Position: This position serves as an Attorney-Advisor (Special Education) in the Americas Legal Office, located in Peachtree City, Georgia. The incumbent will serve as the lead legal advisor for special education matters in the Americas region and will provide subject matter expertise in special education law across DoDEA's global footprint. Responsibilities Serve as DoDEA's lead legal expert on Special Education law, providing high-level legal advice on compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related federal mandates governing the provision of services to students with disabilities. Provide timely, authoritative legal counsel to senior leaders, school administrators, and special education professionals on matters including; the development and implementation of IEPs, disciplinary protections, due process hearings, and systemic compliance reviews. Identify and mitigate litigation risks through proactive legal guidance and strategic problem-solving in collaboration with educational and operational stakeholders. Develop and deliver legal training, resources, and decision-making tools to support the consistent application of special education law across the global DoDEA school system. Support the resolution of high-stakes disputes, including participation in settlement negotiations, mediation, and administrative litigation as necessary. As needed, provide legal advice on labor and employment matters, including employee relations and equal opportunity. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: U.S. Citizens VETERAN'S PREFERENCE INFORMATION: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Army considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (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. (SF 15, which lists the @types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at http://www.opm.gov/.). To successfully claim veteran's preference, your resume/supplemental data must clearly show your entitlement. 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. Experience: You must have three 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. Expertise in Special Education law and a subject-matter expert in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. Litigation and policy development as well as experience advising on labor and employment law, administrative law, and federal education statutes is highly desirable. Bar Membership: You must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State, Territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Be advised that effective Jan. 1 2018, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, most civilian employee relocation allowances became taxable. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for the additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income. RITA does not apply to new government employees or employees returning from an overseas assignment for the purpose of separation from Government service. For more information, visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.html. Applicants with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should notify David Walton ra@dodea.edu This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. 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. Peachtree City is the largest city in Fayette County, Georgia, located just south of Atlanta. Known for its extensive network of golf cart paths, vibrant community, and excellent quality of life, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and metropolitan convenience.
