Summary The primary purpose of this position is to serve as civilian Legal Advisor to Headquarters, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), Joint Intelligence Center (JICCENT), Subordinate Commands and Security Assistance Offices, on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), investigations, general administrative law, litigation issues, and labor law areas. Responsibilities Provides oral and written legal advice and technical legal guidance to the Commander and key CENTCOM officials, subordinate service commands and joint task forces concerning all aspects of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. As determined by the Staff Judge Advocate, incumbent may be required to provide oral or written legal advice concerning general administrative law and ethics issues to include (but not limited to): giving legal opinions on a wide variety of matters relating to the proper administration of the command, including reports of survey, host-tenant agreements, revision and promulgation of command regulations and info policies, line of duty investigations, nonappropriated fund instrumentality activities, military personnel affairs and policy and regulation reviews. Manages and leads the Command's responses to civil 1 litigation cases. Briefs senior command leaders on status and details of all cases affecting the USCENTCOM area of operations including but not limited to National Security FOIA, Class Action, and tort litigations. Serves as the command expert in all facets of investigations. Provides substantive legal advice to the Commander, Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff and Command directorates on the disposition of investigations which include but are not limited to: law of war violations, civilian casualty investigations, friendly fire investigations, civilian misconduct cases (Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act-MEJA), and criminal misconduct incidents. Serves as the Command's only practicing labor law counselor, represents the Command and provides legal advice to Command Officials on any matter relating to the administration of civilian personnel and contractor employees. 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 three (3) 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: Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs of a military legal office at the USCENTCOM Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, and have the ability to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, draw conclusions, conduct analysis, devise recommended solutions, and package the entire process in briefings, papers, or reports. Expert knowledge of law and regulation Government Information Practices, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), Federal Advisory Committee Act, and related, programs, including legal interpretation and decisions pertaining thereto, and other pertinent laws, Executive Orders, and FOIA court decisions and precedents pertaining to information disclosures, security, privacy, and protection of information related to the FOIA Program. Must have current and comprehensive knowledge of policies, programs and operations with specialized knowledge of Global War on Terrorism, weapons and force structure, counter-drugs, intelligence, command campaign plans, detention operations, manpower, basing rights, logistics, political and military affairs, public affairs, human rights, communications, investigations, and Legislative issues. Expert knowledge of the disclosure provisions of the Privacy Act (PA), including Defense Privacy Board Advisory Opinions and current DoD PA policy; knowledge of the interaction of the PA with the FOIA and the advanced ability to interpret civil law and court decisions affecting FOIA and to apply to writing affidavits in support of litigated case against the USCENTCOM, subordinate commands, Joint Task Forces or DoD. Expert knowledge of Department of Defense (DoD) regulations, directives, and court decisions regarding the FOIA, PA and other General Law areas. Expert knowledge of classification and declassification procedures for USCENTCOM and DoD information requested by FOIA request.Expert knowledge of procedures, policies and regulations pertaining to investigations which including law of war violations, civilian casualty investigations, friendly fire investigations, civilian misconduct cases (Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act-MEJA), and criminal misconduct cases. Skill in devising negotiating strategies,and then implement those strategies in negotiations with senior Department of Defense and Department of Justice attorneys or other officials and have the ability to communicate both orally and in writing to sufficiently maintain effective and cooperative work relationships with representatives of military and civilian organizations. Skill in analyzing administrative, operational, international and domestic law and apply the law and relevant international standards to specific military situations, resulting in conclusions which are legally supportable by statue, case law, and implementing policy and regulations. Ability to interpret and apply statutory, regulatory and procedural requirements to unusually difficult and complicated issues. In addition, ability to interpret and apply historical and current case law reflecting the judicial philosophy used in the interpretation and application of the law to a given set of facts and circumstances that may be highly complex and/or a case of first impressions in emerging fields of military operations. 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. Conditions of Employment Continued: This position requires a fully qualified and licensed attorney admitted to the practice of law and a member in good standing before the highest court of a U.S. State, territory, possession, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Must be a graduate of an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctor or equivalent degree. Required to disclose any pending ethics or other judicial or miscellaneous allegations under review, including any adverse findings by a state bar or disciplinary committee and must consent to provide a letter for each state where admitted to demonstrate good standing. This position has been designated by the Air force as a Test Designated Position (TOP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. Work may require frequent travel away from the normal duty station and outside the U.S. utilizing any mode of military or commercial transportation. On a frequent basis, may be required to perform overtime, work weekends and holidays, and report outside normal duty hours. During crisis/contingency operations, employee may be required to work in the crowded environment of command operations centers. Incumbent will be required to acquire and retain Top Secret Clearance eligibility with Sensitive Compartmented Information access, based upon a Single Scoped Background Investigation. Position may include additional program security requirements in order to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. 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. Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. 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.
