Summary About the Position: You will serve as District Counsel.Through direct supervision and staff supervision over the legal functions at the district, provide adequate legal counsel to the District Commander, the Deputy District Commander, Directors, and Office Chiefs within the District. The jurisdictional scope includes the regulatory responsibilities of the Corps and involves civil and military planning, design, construction, and civil works maintenance and operations performed in the District. Responsibilities The jurisdictional scope includes the regulatory responsibilities of the Corps and involves civil and military planning, design, construction, and civil works maintenance and operations You will review work of subordinates, determine legal sufficiency, conformance to policy and general soundness of legal conclusions. Recommend personnel actions, approve leave, approve performance-based awards and maintain excellent employee communications and relations. Review and resolve complaints and grievances which cannot be solved by subordinate supervisors. Render legal advice, assistance and services on environmental and cultural resource compliance issues pertaining to civil work projects, programs and activities. Recommend the proper course of action and provide complete legal analysis of problems to higher authorities when matters are beyond the scope of the Commander's authority. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications The Albuquerque District's Area of Responsibility includes New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, along with part of Colorado and Texas. Seventeen Tribal Nations are also found within the District's Area of Responsibility. The dedicated employees in the District undertake civil works projects with non-Federal sponsors and military construction projects for the three New Mexico Air Force bases, and the White Sands Missile Range located in New Mexico. The District also operates four dams for flood control and water supply along the Rio Grande. More information about the District's missions can be found at www.spa.usace.army.mil. 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; your transcripts are required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened for the Office of Personnel Management's basic qualifications requirements, and the skills needed to perform the duties of this position as described in this vacancy announcement. Basic Requirement for Attorneys (GS-0905): Successful completion of 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 J.D). Professional Legal Experience: Applicant 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. One year of the required professional legal experience must be equivalent to the GS-14 under the General Schedule or other pay systems which includes providing senior-level legal advice on federal contracting matters; conducting legal analysis and recommendations on contract claims, disputes, and bid protests; preparing litigation reports and supporting federal litigation through research, factual development, and coordination with Department of Justice or U.S. Attorneys; delivering authoritative ethics guidance, including reviewing financial disclosures and applying the Joint Ethics Regulation; and supervising attorneys and legal staff by assigning work, reviewing legal products, and offering technical oversight across a geographically dispersed organizations. Bar Membership: Applicants MUST currently a member in good standing of a bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 1. Technical Knowledge: Experience and/or knowledge in the specialized body of law applicable to civil works authorities, military programs, fiscal law, environmental law, ethics, information law, and general law. This includes extensive experience with and knowledge of Federal, DoD and Department of the Army regulations, guidelines, and policies. Experience and mature judgment in handling legal problems including statutory interpretations, preparing legal documents, and reviewing document for legal soundness and accuracy sufficient for accomplishment of difficult, complex and varied legal work relating to complex procurements, litigation, civil works, military construction, regulatory, ethics, fiscal law, and interagency agreements, administrative and international law 2. Management skills and leadership abilities: Workload and/or staff direction and management experience. Experience in establishing goals, executing processes, and leading staff to implement and adjust objectives to meet regional mission requirements. 3. Other knowledge, skills, and abilities: Ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior leadership at all levels. Experience in recruiting, managing, and evaluating attorneys; ability to lead and manage complex legal issues, including reviewing work of legal subject matter experts. Credentials as indicated in the re´sume´ and other application materials (e.g., awards, performance ratings, educational achievements). 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 NOTICE OF VETERANS' PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attached supporting documentation (for example, 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 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documentation for the specific @type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with a list of the @types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms. LOCALE INFORMATION Albuquerque is a culturally diverse city that sits at the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. It is located within driving distance of Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, and world class fly fishing in the Jemez Mountains. The region is renowned for its mild climate, and all forms of outdoor activities. 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. Two year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. 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 Professional Services functional community position. Salary includes applicable locality pay A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required. The success of USACE's programs depends on the quality of supervision from USACE supervisors and managers. The probationary period gives new supervisors a chance to develop the unique skills and abilities that cannot readily be taught or developed in other kinds of positions. The probationary period provides the opportunity to assess the new supervisor's performance (not technical ability or program knowledge) and ascertain their success or return them to a non-supervisory position if warranted. 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. You may claim military spouse preference (MSP). Attorney spouses of active duty military may apply for available positions in accordance with the military spouse program, as identified in DODI 1400.25 Volume 315. A relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized.
