Summary The primary purpose of this position is to support the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) as a senior attorney, providing legal advice and counsel for the most complex, often precedential, installation level cases in administrative law, claims, environmental law, contract law, labor law, and international law, to the 55 Wing and tenant units; to represent Department of the Air Force (DAF) interests in various forums and support the defense of the DAF in litigation. Responsibilities As a senior attorney, advises the 55 Wing Commander, as well as subordinate and tenant unit commanders and managers, on a host of general law matters. Assesses and evaluates for legal compliance, legal sufficiency, and/or advisability, local policies and practices, proposed actions and decisions, official conduct and authority, commercial transactions, draft documents and publications, investigations, responses to inquiries, public statements, plans, and initiatives. For the most complex installation legal issues, prepares for and represents the DAF/installation and its legal interests in correspondence, meetings, negotiations, and judicial and administrative hearings, involving federal, state, and local (and overseas, foreign) officials, parties with adverse interests, and commercial entities. Advocates DAF positions and defends DAF legal interests in meetings and negotiations with outside officials and entities, in order to reach agreements that permit the unconstrained execution of the DAF mission and preserve command prerogatives. Provides legal assistance to active-duty military, dependents, eligible Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, retirees, and other DoD cardholders, consistent with Air Force Instructions (AFIs) and legal office policy. In line with professional responsibility standards, counsels clients on various personal civil legal matters, such as marriage, divorce, paternity, child support, child custody, consumer law, real property or automobile purchase, sale, or lease, bankruptcy, financing, immigration, citizenship, redress for personal injury, estate planning, probate, and taxes. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: You 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 (LLB or JD). In addition, at the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status with a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status. Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirement, you must have professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of applicable law pertaining to the specialized areas of legal practice, as determined by the SJA, in order to provide legal advice and counsel to command and management and represent AF interests. 2. Sufficient knowledge of federal, state, and local law, as it impacts the private individual, to provide personal legal assistance to eligible beneficiaries across the typical range of the AF legal assistance practice. 3. Skill in recognizing and analyzing key legal issues in a factual situation and applying well-reasoned analysis to reach clear, concise conclusions. 4. Ability to research legal issues, analyze complex factual situations in light of general legal principles and the results of research, and prepare legal opinions. 5. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals, in and outside the legal profession, both orally and in writing, in both formal and informal settings. 6. Ability to prepare cases for trial and/or try cases before a court, administrative body, or an official having quasi-judicial power. At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status and in good standing with a bar of the highest court of a State, US commonwealth, US territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status and dated within four months of application. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth. The attorney must maintain such bar membership in at least one jurisdiction during the entire course of employment with the Air Force. Additional Information Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Writing Example: Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a writing sample demonstrating your legal analytical skills. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. 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 GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.
