Summary This position is in the excepted service. It is filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. Position is located in: DFAS Office of General Counsel, Military & Civilian Pay Law Directorate - Indianapolis, IN. Responsibilities For vacancies filled at less than the full performance level of the position, duties will be developmental in nature. Serves as an Assistant Counsel within the DFAS Office of General Counsel. Drafts comprehensive, clear, and concise written opinions on legal problems involving complex issues with little or no legal precedents and makes recommendations for action. Effectively manages multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently. Demonstrates and maintains strong written and verbal communication skills. Works both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment. Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with inside and outside DFAS. Practices law in multiple areas with a primary practice areas of law: military compensation, military retirement pay and survivor benefits, civilian compensation, tax law, Federal non-tax debt collection and fiscal law. Demonstrates capability to learn new areas of law or demonstrates existing knowledge and experience in one or more of the primary practice areas. Legal Practice may also include, but is not limited to: commercial law, contract law, assisted acquisitions, commercial bankruptcy and debt collection, contract pay, and litigation. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This announcement is being used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 with a full performance level of GS-13. The minimum salary for grade GS-11 is $74,627, the maximum salary is $97,011. The minimum salary for grade GS-12 is $89,447, the maximum salary is $116,286. The minimum salary for grade GS-13 is $106,365, the maximum salary is $138,276. GS-11 Qualifications: Assignments require the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. In addition, one of the following requirements must be satisfied: 1. One year of professional legal experience. 2. The second professional law degree (Master of Laws (LL.M.)) provided it required 1 full academic year of graduate study. 3. Superior law student work or activities as demonstrated by one of the following: a. Academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class. b. Work or achievement of significance on one of the attorney's law school's official law reviews or journals. c. Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif, winning of a moot court competition, or membership on the moot court team that represents the attorney's law school in competition with other law schools). d. Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation. e. Significant summer law office clerk experience. f. Other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement. GS-12 Qualifications: Assignments require the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. In addition, one of the following requirements must be satisfied: a. Two years of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level. b. The second professional law degree (LL.M.) plus 1 year of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level. 2. An attorney without experience may, in unusual cases, be employed at the GS-12 or equivalent level provided the individual has advanced educational attainments substantially beyond those required for work at the GS-11 or equivalent level, and his or her education clearly indicates ability to perform work of the @type to be assigned; for example, education that included courses directly pertinent to the work of the agency. The essential point in such cases is to ensure that the individual's education has enabled him or her to step into complex legal work characteristic of the GS-12 or equivalent level, and to operate with the degree of independence and responsibility typical of that level. GS-13 Qualifications: Assignments require the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. In addition, the attorney shall have professional legal experience in excess of 2 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Education Education requirements are listed in the Qualifications section above. Additional Information We reserve the right to extend this announcement, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Moving expenses will be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements. Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 or 2 year trial period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.? We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom (1-24%). This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here) Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.
