Attorney-Adviser (General)

About the Position: Located at U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, Europe, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate – Grafenwoehr, Ansbach Law Center, Grafenwoehr, Germany.

This is a career ladder position that starts at the GS-12 with the full performance level being GS-13.

If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position.

Duties

• Serves as General Attorney at one of the various Legal Centers throughout Grafenwoehr, Germany.
• Serves as primary advisor and supervisor of Legal Assistance/Claims, providing primary personal attorney services to active-duty service members, retirees, and their dependents.
• Specific analysis and detailed advice on the legal and practical meaning and effects of divorce, legal separations, annulment, custody but represents only one party to the case.
• Provides legal advice, counseling, drafting, and execution of wills and codicils.
• Advice and counsel on effect and procedures, to include garnishment rules, repossession procedures, default Judgments, adverse personnel actions.
• Provides general advice and legal assistance for federal and state tax issues in Legal Assistance office.
• Prepares complex powers of attorney and other instruments, advises on immigration/naturalization procedures, insurance matters, general contracts, personal property law.
• Provides professional legal advice: opinions and assistance in interpretation of laws, regulations, statutes, and directives concerning claims against the United States.
• Serves as primary advisor to the Officer-in-Charge on all claims matters.
• Performs preventive law functions of publicity, education, and training to ensure that service members and their families are informed about the availability of legal counseling services.
• Performs Legal Assistance Services to ensure combat readiness in the event of emergency deployment by taking actions in concert with unit commanders to ensure deployable personnel have put their personal legal affairs in order.
• Supervises a small group of employees assigned to the Legal Center.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A two-year trial/probationary period may be required.
• This position requires the incumbent to be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance for access for the duration of employment.
• This position requires the incumbent to maintain active bar membership, in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Must obtain and maintain a no-fee passport and associated visa while assigned to a Federal civilian position in an area requiring a passport and associated visa, if authorized.
• This position may require Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel of up to 5% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.

KSA’s:

• Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues.
• Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance.
• Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.
• Ability to supervise or lead others.
• Knowledge in Family Law.
• Knowledge in Estate Planning.
• Knowledge in Consumer Protection.
• Ability to learn and apply new areas of the law.

Qualification Requirements:

The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:

Education Requirements:

Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) AND a member in good standing with the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions within the Department of Army must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant’s graduation. As indicated below, a law school transcript must be submitted with your application materials.

Bar Membership:

Applicants must currently be a member in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As noted below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.

Experience:

In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-12 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 1 year of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LLM may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-13 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 2 years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LLM may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

Time in Grade:

The Qualifying Authorities (QA’s) will make a determination as to the applicability of time in grade based on the requirements of the position. If you are currently employed as an attorney by the Federal government, you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position being filled.

NOTICE OF VETERAN’S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran’s preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the 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 attach supporting documentation (e.g., 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 a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, „Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference“, and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at this link .

This is a developmental position. Incumbent may be selected at the GS-12 or GS-13 grade level. Promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed. Incumbent may be eligible for non-competitive promotion to the target position upon meeting time-in-grade restrictions and the following requirements: (1) Incumbent demonstrates ability to perform at target grade level; (2) Higher level work exists at target grade level; (3) Increased responsibilities are assigned; (4) Supervisor recommends promotion; (5) Incumbent completes all required training and conditions of employment, and; (6) Incumbent completes all regulatory requirements for career ladder promotions. Consequently, promotion is not guaranteed. In addition, conditions of employment are the same as those identified in the target position description.

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.

Direct Deposit of Pay is required.

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