The primary purpose of this position is to serve as Senior Attorney Advisor, Operations, Space and Intelligence Law for Commander, U.S. Space Forces - Space (S4S/CC) and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander (C/JFSCC) under the authority and direction of the S4S Staff Judge Advocate (SJA).
Duties
1. Serves as a Senior Attorney Advisor for operations and provides guidance and professional oversight to legal personnel supporting S4S/CC - C/JFSCC at the discretion of the SJA in the provision of legal, strategy, and policy expertise and guidance for space operations, systems development, multinational operations, commercial integration, and international cooperation, and for Department of Defense (DoD) space operational support to the global space-faring community, to include the S4S/CC - C/JFSCC lines of operations: space object identification, spectrum characterization, on-orbit protect and defend missions, launch/re-entry warning, orbital warfare, MILSATCOM, NAVWAR and executing contingency operations. 2. As a recognized expert in a highly complex and rapidly changing field of space operations law and policy, renders legal opinions, often on matters of first-impression and vital national importance within the DoD and national security space community, on unique aspects of domestic and international Iaw, and provides them to commanders, higher headquarters, and intelligence community elements, to assist them in performing lawful military-space operations. 3. Represents and participates on behalf of S4S/CC - C/JFSCC as an active participating member of DoD and working groups tasked to investigate and make recommendations on space law and operations and cooperation of broad interest and concern to the national and international space community; including government, industry, and academia. 4. Leads research activities necessary to underwrite provision of sound legal and policy guidance in support of USSPACECOM and S4S/CC - C/JFSCC global mission of space operations, to include its, space situational awareness, offensive and defensive counter space, force enhancement, and space support mission activities.
Salary
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. You must also provide transcripts for your law degree. Qualifications Required at GS-14 or GS-15 Level. The attorney shall have professional legal experience in excess of three years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Level of Supervision. Attorneys performing duties in GS-15 positions are expected to perform with substantial independence, even when working on the most complex or difficult matters. 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: 1. Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies and programs of a military legal office necessary to perform all procedural and administrative functions, such as preparing and editing legal documents and administrative correspondence, maintaining files and records, and assembling information for various, legal documents and reports. Prior military law office experience is preferred. 2. Knowledge of laws, Congressional directives, Federal statutes, and DoD policies and processes governing classified and unclassified space operations, functions and programs, including operational law, national security law, law of armed conflict, constitutional law, international law, intelligence law, telecommunications law, espionage and space law. 3. Knowledge of theories, principles and techniques of legal research; familiarity with general legal resource materials, including those from electronic and Internet media; and proficiency in the use of such knowledge. Ability to use computers for word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, database coordination and PowerPoint presentations. 4. Expert knowledge of DoD organizational structure and missions, organizational structures and operations of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, to include highly classified SAP/STO operations, functions, responsibilities and interrelationships, including Combatant Commands, Multi-National Force operations and the military Services. 5. Expert knowledge of space systems acquisition, operations, sustainment, and command and control activities, and S4S/CC - C/JFSCC protect, defend, deliver, connect missions, and executing contingency operations. 6. Skill in analyzing international and domestic law and international treaties and applying the law and relevant international standards to specific military situations, resulting in conclusions which are legally supportable by statute, case law, and implementing policy and regulations. 7. Ability to effectively engage in extensive high-level interactions with DoD, interagency, international and national military and civilian attorneys and officials on a significant number of highly complex issues involving world-wide space operations. 8. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy. 9. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with key individuals/groups within and outside immediate work unit. 10. Ability to advise mid and senior level leaders, Program Executive Officers, and mission partner representatives. 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.
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. A Doctor of Law (Juris Doctor) degree from an ABA accredited law school institution is required. A Masters of Law (LL.M.) or higher degree in Air and Space Law, National Security Law, and/or Cyber Law is preferred.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". License: 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. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service/discharge (honorable/general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt. 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 attach supporting documentation to their submissions. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim Veterans Preference must submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service, and a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov.) NOTE: Applicants for attorney appointments do not require veterans' preference in order to be eligible for consideration.
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/23/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12933710 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. 5. Optional Documents: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
