Closing Date: 6th May, 2024

Description:

Summary:
About the Position: This position is located at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) and Fort Meade, Installation Legal Office, Fort Meade, Maryland.

If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position.

Duties:

Serves as the Claims and Recovery Attorney, providing professional legal advice, opinions, and assistance in interpretation of laws, regulations, statutes, and directives concerning claims for and against the United States.
Provides direct legal services to clients, to include domestic relations, wills and estates, adoptions, and name changes, nonsupport and indebtedness, military law, general law, landlord-tenant relations, and consumer affairs.
Performs legal assistance services to ensure combat readiness in the event of emergency deployment by taking actions in concert with unit commanders to ensure deployable personnel have their personal legal affairs in order.
Develops and maintains contacts with private and professional organizations, state and local officials, and local bar associations to ensure working relationships and widespread knowledge of the Army Legal Assistance Program.
Serves as legal advisor and consultant on all medical malpractice claims.
Gathers all information having potential evidentiary value pertaining to possible instances of medical malpractice, to include medical records, investigative reports, and interviews with specialists and the parties involved.
Initiates investigates and processes property damage claims on behalf of the United States IAW AR 27-20, Chapter 14, when other methods of recovery are not provided.
Initiates and processes medical care recovery actions on behalf of the United States for the cost of providing medical treatment and care to active-duty military personnel, military retirees and qualified family members.
Reviews and approves administrative settlements of claims for damage or loss of personal property submitted by soldiers and civilian employees' incident to their service.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
A two-year trial/probationary period may be required.
This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance for access for the duration of employment.
This position requires the incumbent to maintain active bar membership, in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Position requires the incumbent to maintain active bar membership, in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of Maryland.

Qualifications:
Who May Apply: US Citizens

Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.

KSA's:

Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues.
Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance.
Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.

Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:
Education Requirements: Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) AND a member in good standing with the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions within the Department of Army must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation. As indicated below, a law school transcript must be submitted with your application materials.

Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be a member in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As noted below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.

Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-13 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 2 years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LLM may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

Time in Grade: The Qualifying Authorities (QA's) will make a determination as to the applicability of time in grade based on the requirements of the position. If you are currently employed as an attorney by the Federal government you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position being filled.

Notice of Veteran's Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") to their submissions.

Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference", and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference.

Education:
Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience.