ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (CONTRACT).

Space Systems Command; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Systems Command seeks a highly skilled attorney to provide authoritative legal guidance across the acquisition lifecycle, including contracts, intellectual property, and disputes handling. The role requires ABA-licensed lawyers with substantial experience in federal contracting and a TS clearance path.

You will advise senior leaders, draft opinions, and participate in panels and boards to resolve procurement and administration issues, ensuring compliance with Federal law.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the ABA and licensed to practice law in a U.S. state.
• Minimum three years of professional legal experience for GS-14/15 level.
• Ability to provide authoritative legal advice and opinions on contracting, acquisition, and procurement.
• Experience with preparation and presentation of disputes cases before tribunals.
• Knowledge of Federal fiscal laws, rules, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provides Advice and Legal Guidance to the Space Systems Command leadership on legal and related business matters during procurement management.
• Renders authoritative written and oral legal opinions on complex contract matters.
• Reviews contractual instruments for legal sufficiency and related documents.
• Assists in preparation of disputes cases and presents before tribunals such as the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. District Courts.
• Provides guidance on intellectual property rights in technical data and reports.
• Serves as a government legal representative on panels and reviews, supporting acquisition strategies and negotiations.

Skills

Legal advisory

Contracting knowledge

Oral and written advocacy

Education

ABA-accredited law degree (JD/LLB)

Active bar admission (US state)

Job description

• Provides Advice and Legal Guidance. Advises and provides legal guidance to the Space and Missile Systems Center Commander, Deputies, Contracting Officers, Program Directors, Project Officers, Finance Officers, staff and other personnel concerning legal and related business matters during the various stages of acquisition and procurement management.
• Renders and generates authoritative written and oral legal opinions. Opinions involve extremely complex and difficult legal problems resulting from the formation and management of contracts.
• Reviews contractual instruments for legal sufficiency. Reviews for legal sufficiency, highly complex, long term, contractual instruments, solicitations and documents, e.g., contracts for various space and satellite systems, launch and orbital support services, architect and engineering services contracts, training for military and civilian employees on operational phases of space and satellite systems, study and research contracts with educational institutions and Systems Engineering/Technical Direction, and integration contracts with the Aerospace Corporation and other contractors.
• Reviews and assists in preparation of disputes cases. Interviews witnesses, drafts legal memoranda, affidavits, and other legal documents for the Government and assists the Air Force Trial Attorney, Department of Justice Attorney or U.S. Attorney in preparing and presenting the case for hearing before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. District Courts.
• Provides advice and guidance on intellectual property issues. Determines rights of Government in technical data; i.e., drawings, technical data, and reports received from contractors under contracts and from prospective contractors.
• Serves as a federal government legal representative on panels, boards, committees, reviews, etc. Participates as designated member or legal advisor on acquisition strategy panels, source selection boards, award fee reviews, contracting officer review boards, contractor negotiations, processes for resolution of contract performance and administration issues, and other similar boards, meetings, briefings, panels, or reviews.

Duties

• Provides Advice and Legal Guidance. Advises and provides legal guidance to the Space and Missile Systems Center Commander, Deputies, Contracting Officers, Program Directors, Project Officers, Finance Officers, staff and other personnel concerning legal and related business matters during the various stages of acquisition and procurement management.
• Renders and generates authoritative written and oral legal opinions. Opinions involve extremely complex and difficult legal problems resulting from the formation and management of contracts.
• Reviews contractual instruments for legal sufficiency. Reviews for legal sufficiency, highly complex, long term, contractual instruments, solicitations and documents, e.g., contracts for various space and satellite systems, launch and orbital support services, architect and engineering services contracts, training for military and civilian employees on operational phases of space and satellite systems, study and research contracts with educational institutions and Systems Engineering/Technical Direction, and integration contracts with the Aerospace Corporation and other contractors.
• Reviews and assists in preparation of disputes cases. Interviews witnesses, drafts legal memoranda, affidavits, and other legal documents for the Government and assists the Air Force Trial Attorney, Department of Justice Attorney or U.S. Attorney in preparing and presenting the case for hearing before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. District Courts.
• Provides advice and guidance on intellectual property issues. Determines rights of Government in technical data; i.e., drawings, technical data, and reports received from contractors under contracts and from prospective contractors.
• Serves as a federal government legal representative on panels, boards, committees, reviews, etc. Participates as designated member or legal advisor on acquisition strategy panels, source selection boards, award fee reviews, contracting officer review boards, contractor negotiations, processes for resolution of contract performance and administration issues, and other similar boards, meetings, briefings, panels, or reviews.

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.
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance required and commensurate with sensitivity level of position
• This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Attorney appointments are subject to serve a one-year trial 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.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• 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 may be required to file an Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter
• Selectee must provide certificate of good standing dated within 4 months of the date of the application. Screen shot is permissible as long as the date obtained is reflected and dated within 4 months of the date of the application
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
• Employee must be able to acquire and retain a Top Secret (TS) clearance with potential Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access in order to fully perform duties and responsibilities

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 date obtained is reflected and dated within four months of the date of application. A copy of the Bar Card is not acceptable proof of good standing.

A4.1.1. To be eligible for consideration for appointment as an attorney, an applicant must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the ABA. Note: Applicants seeking to use foreign education to meet qualification standards must meet Office of Personnel Management foreign equivalency requirements.

Qualifications Required at GS-14 or GS-15 Level. General requirements set forth under paragraph A4.1. In addition, the attorney shall have professional legal experience in excess of three years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Ability to provide authoritative legal advice concerning the various stages of contracting, acquisition, and procurement.
• Ability to render authoritative written and oral legal opinions involving extremely complex and difficult legal problems resulting from the formation and management of contracts.

3 Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

• Skill in reviewing highly complex, long term, contractual instruments, solicitation documents, etc., for legal sufficiency and protection of the government's interests.
• Ability to serve as a federal government legal representative on panels, boards, committees, reviews and to support preparation and presentation of disputes cases for hearing before such arbiters as the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, or U.S. District Court, etc.
• Knowledge of Federal fiscal laws, rules, 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 date obtained must be shown and dated within four months of application. A copy of the Bar Card is not acceptable proof of good standing.

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. is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

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

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.

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.