Attorney-Advisor (Contract)

Air Combat Command; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Combat Command seeks a senior attorney to serve as an expert in acquisition law, directing complex program development and providing guidance to program managers, contracting officers, and staff. The role requires handling high-stakes legal issues with minimal guidance on policy and resources.

Responsibilities include reviewing contracts, preparing opinions, and advising on fiscal authorities, with opportunities to mentor other attorneys and lead training programs.

Qualifications

• Must have ABA-accredited law degree and be admitted to the bar in a U.S. jurisdiction.
• Provide proof of active bar status at application.
• Minimum of 3 years professional legal experience.
• Testing Designated Position with random drug testing.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to program managers and contracting officers during acquisition.
• Review complex contractual documents for legal sufficiency and compliance.
• Conduct legal research and render written and oral opinions on complex issues.
• Advise on fiscal funding authorities and participate in source selection and negotiations.

Skills

Legal research

Contract negotiations

Oral & written communication

Acquisition law

Policy interpretation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

LLM in Government Contracts (desirable)

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to be an expert within their functional area; heads of branches or divisions; or key program administrators. Conducts or directs activities or assists higher levels on challenging and innovative program development with only general guidance on policy, resources, and planning; develops solutions to highly complex problems requiring various disciplines; responsible for fulfilling program objectives.

Duties

• Legal advisor for the acquisition program. Provides program managers and contracting officers a single point of contact for answering legal questions arising from the acquisition of services and other programs.
• Reviews complex contractual documents for legal sufficiency and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policy. Performs an independent professional legal review of contractual documents, contractual forms, and specialized contractual provisions involving billions of dollars and the most difficult and complex issues of fact and law.
• Examines legal issues raised by requests for formal opinions. Perform professional legal research and analysis and renders written and oral opinions to staff and procurement officials on extremely complex and difficult issues of fact and law concerning the legality and enforceability of contracts, interpretation of contractual provisions, resolution of ambiguities, compliance with laws, regulations, legislative history, and administrative determinations and resolution of mistakes in bids, protests, contract disputes, contract claims, and fraud remedies.
• Furnishes oral advice as to legal authority, comparative benefits and consequences of various types and forms of contracts or actions, special contract terms and clauses, and required determinations, approvals, and file documentation to buyers, contracting officers, and senior acquisition and program management personnel, as required during the planning, solicitation, source selection, award, and contract administration stages of the acquisition process participates in source selection activities and negotiations with contractors' representatives where legal issues are involved. Advises on all fiscal funding authorities.
• Serves as a senior attorney, furnishing advice and guidance to other attorneys, both military and civilian. Coordinates activities with other attorneys to attain maximum efficiency and consistency of effort. Instructs acquisition law training classes composed of Government attorneys and acquisition officials. Participates in formal and informal training and actively supports development of subordinates, including supporting staff.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• Must be able to obtain and retain up to a TOP SECRET Security Clearance.
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
• The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license may be required for the position.
• Employee required to file an Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• 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.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• 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.
• Work occasionally requires travel away from the normal duty station.
• 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.

Qualifications

Must have a law degree (JD or LLB) from an ABA accredited law school and be a member m good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state or the District of Columbia. Five years of relevant experience and/or a Master of Laws (LLM) in Government Contracts is desirable.

This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The employee is subject to random drug testing. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing and participation in random drug testing as a condition of employment in accordance with AFM 44-198, Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

In addition to the basic requirement, applicants must have at least (3) years of professional legal experience that commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):

• Knowledge of federal acquisition and fiscal law (including but not limited to Major Services Acquisition, Systems Acquisition, Research & Development, Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), contracting matters, and the Fiscal, aspects thereof).
• Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies and programs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to perform the procedural and administrative work of the organization to include knowledge of theories, principles and techniques of legal research.
• Skill in researching legal issues raised by requests for formal opinions, the analysis of complex factual situations in light of the results of such legal research and general legal principles, and the preparation of written legal opinions and fraud remedies plans based upon such research and analysis.
• Skill in using negotiation techniques to protect the Government's position m major acquisition actions.
• Ability to compile and report data, analyze statistical data for trends, and to make adjustments to the programs.
• Skill and ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

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 dated within four months of application.

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. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

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.

Disabled veteran leave

Disabled veteran leave 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. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.