Attorney-Adviser (International)

• Exercises overall program responsibility for formulation, development and administration of the International Law area of legal practice for the entire USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility.
• Develops legal basis for and legal content of international law command policy and regulations.
• Conducts policy reviews and provides feedback on matters relevant to USSOUTHCOM.
• Serves as the principal advisor to USSOUTHCOM on international law issues, with responsibility for planning, conducting and evaluating the international law programs which fall under the control of the Combatant Commander, USSOUTHCOM.
• Responsible for the growth, maturation, development, and shepherding of USSOUTHCOM’s International Law posture throughout the AOR.
• Serves as the coordinator within the USSOUTHCOM Office of the Staff Judge Advocate for developing, maintaining and conducting legal engagement and other activities in furtherance of USSOUTHCOM’s theater engagement strategy
• Supervises the operation of the International Law Division.
• Responsible for training and development of personnel in law, procedure, and practice involving complex problems or where there is little existing guidance or precedent.
• Supervises and oversees the work of personnel including military attorneys (MAJ/O4), (civilian attorneys (GS-13-14) Admin and Civil Law and support personnel in the International Law Division, USSOUTHCOM OSJA.

Conditions of employment

• 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 be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance for access for the duration of employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
• 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.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is subject to applicant testing and random drug testing in accordance with DA guidelines.
• This position requires Spanish language aptitude at the conversational level and to read, write and translate professional documents and correspondence.

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.

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.) 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.

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 or common wealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. As noted below, an official certificate, dated at any time, may be submitted with the application. However, in the event the applicant is selected for further consideration during the hiring process, the applicant must provide an official certificate dated within three (3) months of the date of the application.

GS-15 Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-15 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 3 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 https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.