Attorney-Adviser (General)

Closing Date: 20th May, 2024

Description:

Summary:
About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) and Fort Stewart, Installation Legal Office, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position.

Duties:

• Incumbent will work in all aspects of the Claims programs IAW AR 27-20, but with emphasis on tort claims and related civil litigation IAW AR 27-40.
• Expected to independently manage tort claims and related civil litigation at the local level while conforming to guidance from Department of the Army level officials at the U.S. Army Claims Service (USARCS) and the Army Litigation Division (LITDIV).
• Incumbent will investigate, process, and settle claims for and against the Department of the Army (DA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and its representatives.
• Act as a Command representative in matters pertaining to civil tort law for the Claims Division of the Staff Judge Advocate office.
• Investigates and processes medical malpractice, products liability, motor vehicle accident and comparable claims filed against the Government under the Federal Tort Claims Act under the general supervision of the U.S. Army Claims Service.
• Investigates incidents, develops complete and factual evidence, defines legal issues, and makes determination of the merits of the claim.
• Negotiates with attorneys, claimants, insurance companies, and governmental agencies to obtain settlements acceptable to the United States in claims against and in favor of the Army and DOD.
• Keeps abreast of legislation, opinions, regulations, court decisions, circulars, and authoritative legal opinions necessary for mission accomplishment.
• Provides advice to civilian attorneys, state and local officials on a variety of legal problems related to the military in the areas of the Federal Tort Claims Act, Medical Care Recovery Act, and impact of various state statutes on Federal statutes.
• Assists JA attorneys and paralegals in affirmative claims programs, providing direction, guidance, assistance, and counsel to the Recovery Claims Examiners.
• Assists Recovery Judge Advocates and paralegals in the pursuit of Medical Affirmative Claims and Claims Collection Act cases in a manner facilitating maximum recovery of funds for the US Government.
• Provide legal advice and representation to active duty, retired personnel, family members, and authorized civilian personnel in the following areas, not limited to, landlord-tenant relations, domestic relation, wills and estates, preventive law, etc.

Requirements:
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 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 is a Financial Management Level 2 certified position designated.
• Incumbent of this position is required to comply with all Department of Defense and Department of the Army requirements of this certification program.
• This certification requirement is a condition of employment for this position. Failure to obtain this certification within the required time may subject the incumbent to adverse action.

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.

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.) AND a member in good standing with the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. 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 with your application materials.

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, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As noted below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.

Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-13 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 2 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.
Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience.

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