Attorney-Adviser (Contract)

See below for important information regarding this job. The duty location will be located: Office of General Counsel-Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Headquarters, Fort Belvoir, VA

Duties

This announcement is for the position Attorney-Adviser (Contract), GS-0905-15, Chief Trial Attorney (CTA) in the Acquisition Law Division of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Legal Enterprise.

The DLA CTA performs mission critical functions essential to national security and the efficient execution of the DLA warfighter support mission. Under the general oversight of the Deputy General Counsel (DGC) and direct oversight of the Chief, Acquisition Law Division, the CTA has DLA-wide authority and responsibility for management of cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, Contract Disputes Act, and procurements falling under the jurisdiction of the Tucker Act, (e.g., cases filed in the Court of Federal Claims (or erroneously filed in other courts)) and protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or DLA.

This position performs any or all of the following duties:

• The CTA's responsibilities include establishing policies and procedures and case management tracking mechanisms concerning contract related disputes and litigation throughout DLA. The CTA retains oversight authority and responsibility for representing DLA in procurement-related cases and is the DLA lead for contract dispute engagement and coordination with the Department of Justice.
• The CTA is DLA's lead representative before the ASBCA. The CTA represents DLA in all appeals and matters adjudicated at the ASBCA. The CTA is identified by the ASBCA as counsel on all ASBCA cases. When a new appeal is filed with the ASBCA, the notice of docketing will state that the Government is represented by the CTA until another Government attorney enters an appearance. Thereafter, the CTA, often in conjunction with subsequently assigned co-counsel, remains as a representative on the appeal and will be listed on all ASBCA dismissals or decisions. The CTA is vital to ensure that there is always a centralized representative on all active appeals even as other Government counsel are assigned and reassigned over time.
• The CTA exercises authority and responsibility for bid protests filed with the agency and before the GAO and Court of Federal Claims (COFC). As lead Agency Counsel, the CTA manages, assists and supports a cadre of contract litigation attorneys assigned to six DLA Major Subordinate Commands and Headquarters attorneys ensuring proper and strategic case management, development, and resolution.
• The CTA supports DLA Major Subordinate Command and Headquarters contract litigation attorneys engaging in alternative dispute resolution or negotiating settlement agreements to avoid litigation.
• The CTA advises on acquisition law issues, such as procurement and policy reviews, data rights, contracting support for other activities and agencies, review of Congressional requests, contract tax matters, and end use certificates. The CTA manages DLA-wide case and dispute tracking and data capture for purposes of monitoring and reporting on performance metrics.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including providing direct acquisition law counsel within the Acquisition Law Division.

Salary

• $167,603 - $195,200/year

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• This is an Excepted Service position.
• Tour of Duty: Set Schedule
• Security Requirements: Non-Critical Sensitive with Secret Access
• Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
• Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• Bargaining Unit Status: No
• Financial Disclosure Requirement: Required

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED for the Attorney-Adviser (Contract), GS-0905-15

1) The first professional law degree (LLB. or J.D.);

2) Proof that you are licensed and a member in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Annual bar certification cards issued from your state of licensure are not considered acceptable. Proof is a "certificate of good standing" issued by your state of licensure dated within 6 months of the closing date of this announcement or a screenshot of your bar status taken from your state of licensure website that is dated within 6 months of the closing date of this announcement or sworn statement to that effect. If there is not a date on the screen shot, you must provide a statement signed by you on the date that the screen shot was created. The successful applicant selected for employment must provide a "certificate of good standing" issued by their respective bar showing they are in good status and in active status prior to appointment.

3) In addition to 1 and 2 (listed above), each grade level has the following qualification requirements:


To Qualify at the GS-15 Level:

You must possess professional legal experience in excess of 3 years commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

In accordance with DoDI 1442.2 (Personnel Actions Involving Civilian Attorneys), promotion for this position is based on the individual's time, performance, and mastery of skills at the required grade level and only with approval of the designated official (DLA General Counsel) in accordance with the applicable regulation.

The legal experience described in your application package or resume will be evaluated and screened for competencies required to perform the duties of the position as described in the Major Duties section of this announcement. The QUALITY of experience will be evaluated and screened to determine how closely or to what extent your experience, education, and training are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the announced position. Your application package or resume must demonstrate you have the competencies and quality of experience necessary to successfully perform the work of the position at the appropriate grade level.

PRINCIPAL SELECTION FACTORS:

The following factors will be used to evaluate the suitability of candidates for this position.

a. Contract litigation experience. At least one year of relevant experience at the next lower federal grade is mandatory. Equivalent military, state, or private law experience may be substituted for Federal service.

b. Demonstrated expert knowledge in the following areas: Experience in litigating cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, Court of Federal Claims, and Government Accountability Office. Experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures in each forum.

c. Experience in developing litigation strategy; preparing pleadings, trial briefs, motions, settlement negotiations, and witness preparation; and, developing and responding to discovery.

d. Excellent analytical ability, including issue identification, legal research, analysis of options, risk analysis, and creative problem solving.

e. Excellent communication skills (oral and written).

f. Excellent legal and business judgment.

g. Excellent interpersonal skills and client relationships, and the ability to interact well with senior officials on controversial and sensitive issues.

Security Clearance: This position is designated Non-Critical Sensitive. If selected, you must obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. If you are unable to obtain this level of security clearance (as a result of undisclosed or disclosed background issues), within a reasonable period of time (as defined by the agency), the employment offer may be withdrawn. In addition, incumbent is subject to periodic re-investigation to maintain security eligibility in accordance with DoD 5200.2-R.

Education You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Other Information Excepted Service Position: This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. Veterans Information: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's 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 (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. (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). As of 23 December 2016, Military retirees seeking to enter federal service in the Department of Defense now require a waiver if they would be appointed within 180 days following their official date of retirement. Reemployed Annuitants: This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF Drug-Free Workplace Policy The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All DLA employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing. Applicants tentatively selected for employment in testing designated positions will undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to undergo testing or testing positive for illegal drugs will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and a six-month denial of employment with DLA from the date of the drug test. Employees in drug testing designated positions are subject to random drug testing. The DLA drug testing panel tests for the following substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, norfentanyl, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and opioids. ADVISORY: Use of cannabidiol (CBD) products may result in a positive drug test for marijuana. DLA employees are subject to Federal law and under Federal law, Marijuana is a Schedule I drug and is illegal. Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on what authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, a current permanent Federal employee, a reinstatement, etc). Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your application eligibility. If you fail to provide these documents, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be further considered.

PLEASE REVIEW THE LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility: https://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/Careers/supportingdocumentation.pdf

APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED:

1. Resume: Must include your name and contact information, dates of employment and duties performed. If multiple resumes are submitted, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed for the qualifications and referred for selection consideration if eligible. IMPORTANT NOTE: Ensure that your resume does not contain any specialized characters, fonts, typefaces or formatting (e.g. tables, macros, etc.). It is also recommended that you convert/save your resume as a PDF prior to attaching to your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.

2. TRANSCRIPTS: Transcripts must contain the applicant's name, the name of the school, the degree awarded, date conferred, and all required courses as required by the position. [IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS]

3. If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50).

4. A copy of your most recent performance appraisal (if current Federal employee).

5. If you are applying as a Veteran or Active Duty Military Member, you should submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. These documents may include but are not limited to: DD214 (which indicates character of service), SF-15, VA Letter and/or Activation/Deactivation orders.

6. If applicable, supporting documentation for military spouse preference.

APPLICANTS MAY SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING WITH APPLICATION (OPTIONAL):

7. Cover Letter. Applicants may submit a separate cover letter if desired. Cover letters may include a brief narrative statement outlining the applicant's experience relevant to the principal selection factors listed under Qualifications in the Requirements section above.

IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

8. Proof you are licensed and a member in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Proof is a "certificate of good standing" issued by your state of licensure within 6 months of the date of application or a screenshot of your bar status taken from your state of licensure website dated within 6 months. If there is no date on the screen shot, you must provide a statement signed by you on the date that the screen shot was created.

9. A sworn statement signed by you as to whether or not you have ever been found by any tribunal to have committed any crime or other act reflecting upon your suitability to practice law.

Applications will NOT be accepted or considered if sent by mail or facsimile. Only on-line applications will be considered.


GENERAL COUNSEL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bre Parra
Breanna.Parra@dla.mil

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted ON-LINE via USAJobs by 11:59 pm EST on the closing date of the announcement.

Only complete application packages will be considered. APPLICATIONS THAT FAIL TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
2. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
3. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
4. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.