Attorney Advisor

Air Force Civilian Career Training; Arizona; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Air Force seeks recent law school graduates (February 2025 through May 2027) to serve as civilian attorneys within the Palace Acquire Intern program. Attorneys advise the Staff Judge Advocate and provide legal counsel in administrative, environmental, contract, labor, and international law across wing units.

Selected candidates receive extensive training and work as Attorney-Advisors, with a focus on developing professional competencies and contributing to legal operations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of applicable law in AF areas.
• Ability to research and prepare opinions.
• Clear analysis and concise conclusions.
• Strong written and oral communication.
• Ability to prepare cases for trial.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel to SJA in administrative, environmental, contract, labor, and international law.
• Perform developmental assignments with increasing complexity.
• Draft and coordinate legal documents and publications.
• Support project initiatives with research and analysis.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Legal research

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Trial preparation

Education

ABA-accredited law school

JD/LLB degree

Bar admission

GPA 2.95+

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of this position in this competitive program is to offer recent law school graduates (February 2025 through May 2027) an opportunity to serve the Air Force and Space Force as a civilian attorney. Selectees receive extensive training and work as an Attorney-Advisor (General), supporting the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), provide legal advice and counsel in administrative law, claims, environmental law, contract law, labor law and international law to wing and tenant units.

Duties

• Based on advice from senior attorneys and/or the Judge Advocate, performs developmental assignments including: the assessment and evaluation of legal compliance, legal sufficiency, and/or advisability, local policies and practices,
• Proposed actions and decisions, official conduct and authority, commercial transactions, draft documents and publications, investigations, responses to inquiries, public statements,
• Plans, and initiatives; the evaluation of claims by and against the government, assessing legal risk, and recommending disposition.
• Performs recurring assignments. With or without assistance, performs work assignments which gradually increase in difficulty and complexity. Incumbent determines the practices and procedures to use in accomplishing conventional tasks,
• Interprets and adapts guidelines in order to resolve procedural or factual issues. With assistance from senior attorneys and/or the Judge Advocate, carries out special projects and participates in special initiatives and studies.
• Performs special assignments in support of the organization; e.g., researching policy/precedent - and comparing to new or modified guidelines to assess impact; analyzing and providing substantive evaluation of data affecting program operations.
• Preparing and coordinating reference papers and documentation to support project initiatives; presenting reports to a variety of audiences; and performing analysis and providing recommendations to resolve issues.
• Prepares written correspondence and other documentation. Drafts or prepares a variety of documents in support of the SJA using software such as word processing, spreadsheets, etc., to facilitate work.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Position locations may vary from listed locations. Total salary varies depending on location of position.
• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• A security clearance may be required
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses, if authorized, will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Student Loan Repayment may be authorized
• Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Trial Period: You will serve a one-year trial period beginning on your first day of appointment in this Excepted Service position
• Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0

Qualifications

The recent law student graduates 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). The recent law student graduate MUST provide proof they have passed the State Bar, and be currently licensed as an attorney, in active (or equivalent) status and in good standing, with the bar of the 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.

Applicants must have completed their first law degree (LLB or JD) from a qualifying educational institution and all bar requirements within the previous two years to meet the basic requirement to apply for the Recent Graduate Program.

Additionally, to be qualified as a GS-11, the attorney must also meet one of the following:

• One year of professional law experience
• The second professional law degree (Master of Laws [LL.M.]), provided it required at least one full academic year of graduate study
• Superior law student work or activities, as demonstrated by one of the following: Academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class; Work or achievement of significance on one of the attorney's law school's official law reviews or journals; Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif, winning a moot court competition, or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools); Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program, as opposed to one time, intermittent, or casual participation; Significant summer law office clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of applicable law pertaining to the specialized areas of legal practice, as determined by the SJA, in order to provide legal advice and counsel to command and management and represent AF interests.
2. Sufficient knowledge of federal, state, and local law, as it impacts the private individual, to provide personal legal assistance to eligible beneficiaries across the typical range of the AF legal assistance practice.
3. Skill in recognizing and analyzing key legal issues in a factual situation and applying well-reasoned analysis to reach clear, concise conclusions.
4. Ability to research legal issues, analyze complex factual situations in light of general legal principles and the results of research, and prepare legal opinions.
5. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals, in and outside the legal profession, both orally and in writing, in both formal and informal settings.
6. Ability to prepare cases for trial and/or try cases before a court, administrative body, or an official having quasi-judicial power.

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.

-OR-

Any veteran released or discharged from active duty within the previous two years, but due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period following completion of applicable degree, and not more than six years have transpired since completing the requirements for the degree. Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Pathways Guidelines . You can also visit: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/index-Standards.asp for additional qualification standards.

NOTE:

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

• Upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 2-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the Department of the Air Force.
• You must have completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) in one of the following:
• Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript.

PLEASE SUBMIT COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS TO INCLUDE TRANSFERRED HOURS - OFFICIAL COPIES ARE NOT REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION. IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS. ***NOTE*** Degree Audits are not accepted.

IF YOU QUALIFY BASED ON UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND YOU HAVE NOT GRADUATED PRIOR TO APPLYING TO THIS POSITION, YOU MAY BE OFFERED A POSITION CONTINGENT UPON YOUR FINAL GRADE POINT AVERAGE OR CLASS RANKING.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving.

This program offers a 3-year formal training program plan for Bachelor degree holders and a 2-year formal training plan for Master's Degree holders; both with yearly salary increases.

This program offers a 3-year formal training plan for Bachelor degree holders and a 2-year formal training plan for Master degree holders with yearly salary increases.

This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force.

Participant Agreement

• Orientation program
• Mentorship throughout the Program
• Individual Training & Development Plan to assist with career planning, professional development, and training activities
• At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the Program
• Opportunity for career advancement

AFTER PROGRAM COMPLETION:

• Recent Graduates who are selected for conversion must have completed all requirements of the program successfully
• Demonstrated successful job performance consistent with the applicable performance appraisal program
• Met the Department of the Air Force (AF/JA) qualification standard for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted
• NOTE: It is important to remember that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that the Department of the Air Force will offer conversion.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

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.