The primary purpose of this position is to supervise a team of attorneys that provide specialized legal advice and services within the Department of the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps for issues related to environmental law, particularly in the area of environmental restoration (cleanup). The incumbent provides specialized legal advice and support to The Judge Advocate General, Operations and International Law Directorate, and the Environmental Law Field Support Center.
Duties
As Chief of the Restoration Branch within the Environmental Law Field Support Center, exercises leadership over a highly specialized, geographically dispersed legal team composed of GS-15 senior attorneys and GS-14 attorneys, typically consisting of six attorneys including one member operating in an OCONUS location. Manages complex caseloads and ensures the seamless execution of legal support. Acts as the corporate memory for the branch, ensuring continuity, stability, and uniformity of critical environmental restoration policies and operations amidst rapidly evolving statutory landscapes and leadership transitions. Formulates comprehensive, authoritative legal advice and delivers definitive legal opinions to Department of the Air Force installations, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, MAJCOM/FLDCOM, and high-level Secretariat elements regarding complex environmental restoration challenges governed by the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action, and Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA). Serves as the primary legal interface between operational units and policymaking echelons by thoroughly evaluating the practical impacts of proposed policy alternatives and ensures operational realities are factored into Secretariat-level strategic decisions. Serves as the primary Air Force legal expert on environmental restoration matters, continually builds upon that specialized knowledge and experience and ensures that it is shared across the Department of War. Develops and conducts comprehensive legal training to keep DOW attorneys and environmental legal practitioners current on rapidly changing, highly technical environmental laws. Uses subject matter expertise to assist the Air Force Environmental Litigation Center as needed with litigation and administrative proceedings before federal, state, and regulatory venues regarding environmental, occupational safety and health, cultural and natural resources, and real property matters. When directed by the Environmental Law Field Support Center and Environmental Law and Litigation Division leadership, advises assigned litigation attorneys on relevant laws, regulations, and policies within designated subject matter expertise. Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Advises and provides counsel to subordinate employees regarding policies, procedures, and management directives. Selects or recommends selection of candidates for vacancies, promotions, details, and reassignment in consideration of skills, qualifications, and mission requirements.
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. Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirement: you must have professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities. 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, skill, and ability to conduct complex legal research and a familiarity with the research resources most commonly involved in environmental restoration laws. This includes various statutes, Department of War and Department of the Air Force policy and guidance, the United States Code, court opinions, the Code of Federal Regulations, etc. Familiarity with electronic research resources such as Westlaw, Lexis, etc. is required. 2. Knowledge as a practicing environmental law attorney and ability in relevant experience, especially in positions supervising experienced attorneys; knowledge in the area of environmental restoration law, regulation, and policy. 3. Skill and ability in supervisory management responsibilities, including recruitment and hiring policies; assessing merit performance and determining awards; developing employee skills and abilities; holding employees accountable; planning, scheduling, and prioritizing work to be performed by subordinates; addressing complaints of harassment, discrimination, and about working conditions; ensuring workplace is free of harassment, discrimination, and reprisal; and encouraging employees to identify fraud, waste, and abuse. 4. Skill and ability in written and oral advocacy in order to prepare and present written and oral briefings before decision-makers. 5. Skill and ability to formulate, coordinate, and present the Department of the Air Force legal position before regulators, elected officials, the public, and senior officials for the Department of the Air Force and other relevant agencies. 6. Skill and ability in computer word processing software such as Word for Windows, Excel, and Power Point is required. At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status and in good standing with a bar of the highest court of a State, US commonwealth, US territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status and dated within four months of application. 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.
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 09/08/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048012 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.
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