Summary About the Position: Serves as a contract law attorney performing the full scope of legal work related to the most difficult and complex contract administration matters. Responsibilities Review, analyze, and provide legal advice on disposition of contract claims, many of which involve large sums of money and difficult legal problems. Responsible for laying out the foundation for and trying cases appealed to the Armed Service Board of Contract Appeals, or serving as primary liaison to the lead attorney for cases handled by the Department of Justice. Research, analyze, and provide legal advice on problems involving important legal or policy questions regarding innovative high dollar, long term contracts arising during contract formation. Serve as Agency counsel for bid protest involving extremely complex factual or policy issues. Perform required legal review of solicitations and contract award documents which involve innovative contracting strategies for which there is little or no established procurement policy. Participate with top management officials and advises on development and execution of acquisition planning involving high dollar programs having visibility, sensitivity, or impact, such as in the area of hazardous and toxic waste contracting. Research, analyze, and provide advice in other key legal areas, such as environmental, labor, or administrative law. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 for GS-13: Two or more years of professional legal experience. Examples of this experience are: (1) Advise Program or Project Manager or other manager or supervisor on matters pertaining to acquisition planning and contract formation; (2) litigating bid protests before the GAO or other agency review board; (3) reviewing and advising on contract administration matters, to include contract modifications and claims; (4) litigating contract disputes; (5) advising management on other areas highly relevant to federal practice, such as federal employment law or environmental matters, to include the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, or CERCLA; and (6) prepare litigation reports and drafts pleadings and other legal documents required by the Department of Army and Department of Justice in various federal courts or administrative tribunals. 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) Advise Program or Project Manager or other manager or supervisor on matters pertaining to acquisition planning and contract formation; (2) litigating bid protests before the GAO or other agency review board; (3) reviewing and advising on contract administration matters, to include contract modifications and claims; (4) litigating contract disputes; (5) advising management on other areas highly relevant to federal practice, such as federal employment law or environmental matters, to include the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, or CERCLA; and (6) prepare litigation reports and drafts pleadings and other legal documents required by the Department of Army and Department of Justice in various federal courts or administrative tribunals. 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 Requirement: 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 Field position 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, Recruitment, Student Loan Repayment, Advance in Hire or Advance Leave Accrual incentive may be authorized if it is in the best interest of the government. Situational Telework may be authorized at the discretion of the agency.
