General Attorney

Summary About the Position: Serves as Senior Assistant District Counsel. Independently plans, organizes, and conducts work, rendering legal advice and opinions on a wide range of complex and difficult legal issues. Incumbent is expected to carry out any assignment within his/her area of responsibility without preliminary instructions, and otherwise to operate with relative autonomy and direct client interface. Duties Acts as principal attorney in charge of civil litigation and renders legal services relating to contracts, real estate, and regulatory/environmental. Renders legal opinions and provides advice and representation to other offices within the District regarding a wide range of questions and issues. Provides review, analysis and resolution of regulatory/environmental matters, including but not limited to matters involved in the District’s Regulatory Permit program. Conducts investigations for, prepares litigation reports for, and coordinates with and assists Department of Justice or Assistant United States Attorneys in lawsuits and other cases. Assists the District Counsel by being responsible in most cases for directly advising the District Commander as a functional expert for the District in legal matters. Requirements Conditions of employment Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually. Temporary Duty (TDY) travel is 5% of the time. Excepted service positions are subject to a two-year trial period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements. 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. The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: 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 J.D.). Law school transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Specialized Experience: Three or more years of professional legal experience, acquired AFTER being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. At least one year of the required professional legal experience is equivalent to the GS-13 under the General Schedule or other pay systems (NOTE: EXPERIENCE MUST BE DOCUMENTED IN YOUR RESUME). Examples of this experience include (1) analyzing facts, ascertaining law, giving opinions and stating facts on legal issues; (2) explaining legal principles and identifying alternative courses of action; (3) advising Program or Project Manager, Contracting Officer, or other manager or supervisors (a) on all aspects of procurement process to include drafting special agreements or unusual contracting clauses, (b) on NEPA, ESA, CZMA or other aspects of environmental law, (c) on the civilian personnel system and all aspects of handling issues of conduct, performance, and EEO, or labor unions in the federal sector, and (d) on regulation under the Clean Water Act and Rivers and Harbors Act; AND (4) preparing litigation reports and legal documents required by the agency in various federal courts. Time in Grade Requirement: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government 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. 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 period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or 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 Legal Career Field position. 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.htm 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. DoD National Relocation Program (DNRP) may be offered. Incentives may be authorized on case-by-case basis, subject to agency determination and approval. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.