Attorney-Adviser (Labor)

Air Force Materiel Command; Kentucky; On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

The Air Force Materiel Command is seeking a senior litigation attorney to handle complex cases before the EEOC, MSPB, FLRA and federal courts, focusing on personnel and labor law arising from Wright-Patterson AFB events and related AF units.

The role requires extensive federal litigation experience, ability to provide strategic counsel to commanders and staff, and to mentor less experienced attorneys in complex legal issues and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a full ABA-accredited law degree (JD or LLB).
• Active bar status in at least one U.S. state, territory, or D.C., with proof dated within four months of application.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Air Force in EEOC, MSPB, FLRA, and related litigation in complex cases at Wright-Patterson AFB.
• Provides legal counsel on labor and personnel law to commanders, managers, investigators, EO personnel, and personnel specialists.
• Drafts written legal opinions and documents on personnel and labor law and other complex matters.
• Performs other legal duties as assigned by the Staff Judge Advocate.

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior litigation attorney in all complex cases, and cases requiring expert experience and training, before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Merit Systems Protection Board, Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal District and appellate courts, arising primarily from events relating to present or former employees of, Wright-Patterson AFB, to include the AFLCMC, The 88th ABW and subordinate and tenant AF units.

Duties

1. Represents the Air Force in EEOC, MSPB, FLRA, and related litigation in the more complex cases arising at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
2. Provides legal counsel and advice covering the full range of labor law and personnel law matters to commanders, managers, investigators, EO personnel, and personnel specialists.
3. Provides written legal opinions and legal documents relating to personnel law, labor law, and other complex legal matters.
4. Performs other legal duties as assigned by the Staff Judge Advocate.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations. This is a Centrally Managed position under the Legal Career Field
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position
• This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection
• Recruitment costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Attorney appointments are subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
• Certificate of Good standing must be provided and dated within 4 months of the date of application. On-line screen shot is permitted so long as it shows date obtained w/in 4 months of application date. Copy of the Bar Card is not acceptable
• Incumbent must be currently licensed as an attorney and counselor-at-law in a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
• Incumbent is required to maintain current knowledge of changing statutory and regulatory guidance as they relate to the duties of the position, as well as general developments in technology that may improve the effective delivery of legal services.
• Employee 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
• Employee must adhere to the Air Force Rules of Professional Conduct
• Employee may be required to work overtime
• Employee may be required to travel for temporary duty (TDY) away from home station
• Mobility is a condition of employment. The employee must sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement

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 and shows a date obtained within four months of the application. Copy of the Bar Card is not acceptable proof.

General requirements set forth under paragraph A4.1 AFI-51-101, the attorney shall have professional legal experience in excess of three years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. A4.2.5.2. AFI-51-101, attorneys performing duties in GS-15 positions are expected to perform with substantial independence, even when working on the most complex or difficult matters.

Ideal Candidate

Has expert knowledge of federal personnel and labor law, including but not limited to statutes, federal anti-discrimination and labor law regulations and supplements thereto, DoD Directives, Air Force Instructions and Policy Directives, and the case law of relevant federal courts and administrative adjudicative bodies. Has knowledge of modern legal practices and research resources, to include administrative databases and Westlaw. Has substantial litigation experience before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, other administrative adjudicative bodies, and/or federal courts. Is skilled in effective written and oral communication and has the ability to mentor, assist and train less experienced attorneys, as well as commanders, managers, and personnel specialists in the evaluation of complex legal issues relating to agency personnel and personnel policies, laws and regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Expert knowledge of federal personnel and labor law, including but not limited to statutes, federal anti-discrimination and labor law regulations and supplements thereto, DoD Directives, Air Force Instructions and Policy Directives, and the case law of relevant federal courts and administrative adjudicative bodies.
• Knowledge of modern legal practices and research resources, to include administrative databases and cyber FEDS and LexisNexis.
• Substantial litigation experience before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, other administrative adjudicative bodies, and/or federal courts.
• Skilled in effective written and oral communication.
• Ability to use a personal computer for research, communication, and preparation of litigation documents.
• Ability to mentor, assist, and train less experienced attorneys, as well as commanders, managers, and personnel specialists in the evaluation of complex legal issues relating to agency personnel and personnel policies, laws, and regulations.

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 the date obtained is reflected and is dated within 4 months of the application. A copy of the Bar card is not acceptable proof.

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.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants)

Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Writing Example

Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a writing sample demonstrating your legal analytical skills.

120-Day Register

This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Direct Deposit

All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives

Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

Tax Law Impact for PCS

On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.