Attorney-Adviser (General)

Air Force Special Operations Command • Hurlburt Field, FL

2d

About The Position

The Attorney-Adviser (General) serves in a developmental capacity, supporting the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) by providing legal advice and counsel to the 1st Special Operations Wing and tenant units in areas including administrative law, claims, environmental law, contract law, labor law, and international law. The attorney represents Department of the Air Force (DAF) interests in various forums and supports the defense of the DAF in litigation.

At the GS-11 level, the attorney performs developmental and recurring legal assignments, initially based on guidance from senior attorneys or the Judge Advocate, with assignments increasing in difficulty and complexity. Work includes assessing legal compliance, sufficiency, and advisability; evaluating government claims; identifying legal risks and recommending dispositions; conducting research and special studies; and preparing correspondence, reports, briefings, and other documents.

At the GS-12 level, the attorney advises the Wing Commander and subordinate and tenant unit commanders and managers on general law matters. The attorney evaluates policies, decisions, conduct, transactions, documents, investigations, and initiatives for legal compliance, sufficiency, and advisability; represents DAF and installation interests in correspondence, meetings, negotiations, and judicial and administrative hearings; and provides legal assistance to eligible military members, dependents, DoD civilians, retirees, and other DoD cardholders.

At the GS-13 level, the senior attorney provides similar advice and representation on general law matters, including the most complex installation legal issues. The attorney also counsels eligible clients on personal civil legal matters, including family law, consumer matters, real property and automobile transactions, bankruptcy, financing, immigration, citizenship, personal injury redress, estate planning, probate, and taxes.

Requirements

• Graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school and hold a first professional law degree (LLB or JD).
• Maintain active (or equivalent) bar status in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state, commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia; proof of active status dated within four months of application is required.
• Maintain bar membership in at least one jurisdiction throughout employment with the Air Force.
• For GS-11: More than one year of commensurate professional legal experience, or a qualifying LL.M., or qualifying superior law-student accomplishments or activities.
• For GS-12: More than two years of commensurate professional legal experience at the GS-11 or equivalent level, or an LL.M. plus one year of professional legal experience at the GS-11 or equivalent level.
• For GS-13: More than two years of professional legal experience commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of applicable law in relevant legal practice areas and of federal, state, and local law affecting private individuals.
• Ability to identify and analyze legal issues, apply legal principles and research, and prepare clear legal opinions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences in formal and informal settings.
• Ability to prepare cases for trial and/or try cases before a court, administrative body, or quasi-judicial official.
• Adhere to Air Force Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance; a Secret clearance is specified.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement; mobility is a condition of employment.
• May be required to work overtime, travel on temporary duty, and file OGE Form 450 upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• Complete a one-year attorney appointment probationary period; depending on appointment type, a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period may apply.
• Provide a legal writing sample demonstrating legal analytical skills before receiving an offer.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or training researching, evaluating, and implementing artificial intelligence technologies and related tools for legal-office workflows, including document review, drafting, legal research, verification, risk detection, and error reduction.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel to the 1st Special Operations Wing and tenant units in administrative law, claims, environmental law, contract law, labor law, international law, and other general law matters.
• Assess legal compliance, legal sufficiency, and advisability of policies, practices, proposed actions and decisions, official conduct and authority, transactions, documents, investigations, responses, public statements, plans, and initiatives.
• Evaluate claims by and against the government, assess legal risk, and recommend dispositions.
• Conduct legal research and special projects; analyze data and guidelines; and prepare reports and briefings with findings and recommendations.
• Prepare written correspondence and other documentation, including drafts of documents supporting the Staff Judge Advocate.
• Represent Department of the Air Force and installation interests in correspondence, meetings, negotiations, and judicial and administrative hearings involving government officials, adverse parties, and commercial entities.
• Provide legal assistance to eligible active-duty military members, dependents, DoD civilians, retirees, and other DoD cardholders in accordance with Air Force instructions and legal office policy.
• Counsel clients on personal civil legal matters, including family law, consumer law, real estate and automobile transactions, bankruptcy, financing, immigration, citizenship, personal injury, estate planning, probate, and taxes.
• Prepare cases for trial and/or try cases before courts, administrative bodies, or officials with quasi-judicial authority.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Recruitment and/or retention incentives may be used.
• Disabled veteran leave may be available to eligible qualifying federal employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree