Closing Date: 14th November, 2026

Description:

Summary:
This position is being filled under Schedule A Excepted Service (5 CFR 213.3102(d))

The Attorney-Advisor (general) is the statutory advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and provides a broad range of legal and policy advice and counsel to the CJCS, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director and Vice Director of the Joint Staff, the Directors and senior supervisory officials.

Duties:
As a ATTORNEY ADVISORY (GENERAL) you will be responsible for the following duties:
  • Providing full range of legal services, but focuses primarily on Civilian Personnel and Labor Law, Standards of Conduct and Government Ethics, and Administrative Law, including legal issues associated with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act.
  • Providing legal services, advice, counsel, and representation in the fields of civilian personnel and labor law; equal employment opportunity; and standards of conduct and government ethics.
  • Acting independently on the assigned range of legal issues, conducting required legal research independently and preparing legal analyses and opinions regarding assigned legal matters.
  • Maintaining close liaison with legal counterparts within Department of Defense, Office of General Counsel; Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Office of the Legal Counsel; the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which provides human resources services and support to the JS; the combatant commands; subordinate joint organizations, including Chairman's Controlled Activities; the Military Departments; and other federal agencies.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) issues and requests, as well as protection Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Information Assurance (IA), and Information Technology (IT) systems use.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel concerning substantive and procedural Administrative Law, including command investigations, grievances, adverse actions, Inspector General Complaints, Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding, legislation and Congressional hearing support, and Foreign Liaison Officer Agreements.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel concerning litigation support including tracking and summarizing ongoing litigation, discovery support, review of pleadings, and drafting of witness declarations.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on the full range of ethics and standards of conduct issues referencing the Department of War Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) and applicable guidance from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to include acceptance of gifts; activities with non-federal entities; travel benefits; use of government vehicles and U.S. military aircraft (MILAIR); procurement integrity; political activities; Public Financial Disclosure Reports, post government employment, and conflicts of interest.
  • Providing timely and effective legal analysis and advice concerning fiscal law to include acquisition and contract law issues, federal appropriations law, source and type of funding, limitations on fiscal authority, proper use of funds, performance of work statements, inter-service and intra-governmental support agreements, conference issues, contract administration, military operations, to include contingency operations, exercises and other activities.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Application materials must be received by 11:59PM EST on the closing date.
  • This is a drug testing designated position.
  • This is an Excepted Service position.
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is SITUATIONAL telework eligible
  • Security: Employee must obtain/maintain a Special Sensitive (Top Secret/SCI) security clearance

Qualifications:
Qualification standards for attorney positions may be found in DoD Directive 1442.2, "Personnel Actions Involving Civilian Attorneys" at DoD Instruction 1442.02, September 30, 2010 (whs.mil) (https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/144202p.pdf). The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened for competencies needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES section of this announcement.

The QUALITY of experience relates to how closely or to what extent your experience, education, and training are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the announced position. Your resume must show you have the competencies necessary to successfully perform the work of the position at the appropriate level. Salary will be set within the range specified in this vacancy announcement based on the complexity of work to be performed, the selectee's experience, education, training, and availability of funds.

You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service:
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice applying statutes, executive orders, directives, regulations, administrative rulings, and court decisions.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on U.S. law and regulations governing standards of conduct and government ethics, including the Department of War Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) and applicable guidance from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) .
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice to senior officials (General and Flag Officers and Senior Executive Service personnel) and supervisors on filing and review of Public Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE 278s) and Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE 450s), as well as potential disqualification of employees for conflicts of interest, divestiture of personal financial interests, and other corrective actions.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on substantive administrative law to include a broad range of issues, including legislative reviews; use of Official Representation Funds (ORF); administrative investigations; support to private organizations; and non-appropriated fund instrumentalities.
  • Providing timely and effective legal and policy advice to comptrollers, budget personnel, and acquisition program managers.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice, counsel, and recommendations regarding fiscal matters.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) issues and requests, as well as protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Information Assurance (IA), and Information Technology (IT) systems use.
  • Providing timely and effective legal advice on acquisition strategy, solicitation, source selection, and contract administration.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0905 series.https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0900/general-attorney-series-0905/
NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo.pdf.

You must be a graduate from an accredited law school, and be in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar AND possess a Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school at the time of applying for the position.

This position is in the Excepted Service. Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.

Applicants must provide proof that they are licensed and a member in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Proof is a "certificate of good standing" issued by your state of licensure within 6 months of the date of application or a screenshot of your bar status taken from your state of licensure website dated within six (6) months. The successful applicant selected for employment must provide a "certificate of good standing" issued by their respective bar showing they are in good standing and in active status prior to appointment.

To qualify, applicants must possess the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.).

Education:
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Applicants