Attorney-Advisor (Contract)

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. The duty location may be negotiated after selection. The actual salary will be based on the geographic location of the individual(s) selected for this position. This is not a developmental position, no promotion potential from the GS-13 to GS-14. Duties 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 Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time. 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. Specialized Experience for GS-14: Three or more years of professional legal experience. Examples of this experience are: (1) Independently advise Senior Leaders on all aspects of federal acquisition including the formation and administration of contracts, contract claims and appeals, agency and GAO protests, and the termination of contracts; (2) Litigate contract disputes or protests before federal courts, or federal boards of contract appeals; (3) Experience as a Procurement Fraud Advisor independently advising Senior Leaders on all aspects of possible suspension and debarment as well as coordinating a remedies plan with federal law enforcement agencies. 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 for Current Federal Employees for GS-13: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12). Time in Grade Requirement for Current Federal Employees for GS-14: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-13). 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. Two year trial period may be required. 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 Legal Career Field position Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Situational Telework may be authorized at the discretion of the agency. 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. 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.