PUBLIC NOTICE FOR SUPERVISORY ATTORNEY-ADVISER (PROGRAM MANAGER)

The mission of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from our Nation's past conflicts to their families and our Nation. DPAA personnel research, investigate, recover, and identify remains of DoD personnel unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Iraq conflicts and Persian Gulf War. The Director, DPAA (SES-III), reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)).

Duties

This Public Notice is to gather applications which may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:

• Serves as the General Counsel and Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Official for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).
• Oversees the provision of legal advice and counsel in legal matters pertaining to past conflict personnel accounting issues for the DPAA Director, Deputy Director, and their subordinate officials and staff.
• Provides legal advice and counsel on a full range of international, operational, personnel, ethics, administrative, acquisition, criminal, intelligence, labor, and fiscal law inherent in the development and execution of past conflict personnel accounting policies and programs and the administration of a Department of Defense (DoD) agency.
• Executes and administers the DPAA Ethics Program.
• Supervises and directs the work of the DPAA Office of General Counsel staff. Develops strategic plans and mentors and monitors military and civilian attorneys and para-professionals.
• Provides legal oversight of the fiscal, procurement, and financial assistance award aspects of DPAA.
• Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management.

Salary

• $163,964 - $191,900/year

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program.
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• This position may be subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program.
• May be required to successfully complete a supervisory probationary period.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.
• This position requires incumbent to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• This position may require occasional travel up to 20% away from your normal duty station for official business on military or commercial aircraft.
• Must meet the licensing and professional responsibility standards required by Department of Defense Instruction 1442.02, including active status permitting the full privilege to practice law in the jurisdiction concerned.

Qualifications
AND

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, to qualify for this position you must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements indicated below:

You may qualify at the GS-15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates ALL of the following:

1. Serving as principal legal advisor to head of an organization and is responsible for the administration of all legal services under the purview of the organization;

2. Prosecuting, defending, or presiding over criminal trials or comparable experience in civil litigation;

3. Conducting legal research in areas of law which require adapting military, federal, state, and / or international statutes, rules, regulations, and case law to specific issues and fact patterns; AND

4. Managing the work of subordinates.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and,
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Education Education cannot be substituted for experience. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Other Information

• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf.)
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are a displaced Federal Civil Service employee and attain a rating of at least 85, you may be entitled to receive special priority selection under the ICTAP. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance.
• Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and,
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
• ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
• Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• Transcripts or Proof of Education: You must submit documentation to verify that you possess a law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Transcripts and Certifications.
• Proof of Bar membership: Documentation that reflects active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia and that you are a member in good standing.

Cover Letter: Although not required, you may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. It will not be used to determine your qualifications or eligibility.

The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status:

1. Transcripts and/or Certifications: All applicants to include current agency employees, must submit proof of education if the job announcement requires education to meet the basic qualification requirements, or if substituting education to meet the specialized experience requirements. Many applicants must also submit documentation for proof of meeting the basic education requirement. All education and/or certifications must also be described in your resume.

2. Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation. Failure to do so WILL result in the loss of veteran's preference, and will possibly impact your placement on the certificate.

• You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.
• If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability
• If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.

3. ICTAP Eligibles: You must submit an SF-50 confirming Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF); A RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or a RIF notice declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM); and, a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
4. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
5. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
6. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
7. Retained Grade PPP Eligibles: You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

How to Apply

TO APPLY, EMAIL ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO: osd.pentagon.ogc.mbx.dodogcresumebank@mail.mil. The subject line should state "Resume File: [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME]." Please also reference this position in the subject and body of your email.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement (01/10/2025) to receive consideration.

Washington Headquarters Services provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please send an email to WHS.JOB.APPLICATION.ASSISTANCE@MAIL.MIL. You will be contacted regarding your request.

We will not accept applications sent to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed on this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. Only reasonable accommodation requests, as described above will be considered.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits