Attorney-Advisor (General)

DHS Headquarters•Washington, DC

About The Position

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), General Law Division (GLD). The Attorney-Advisor supports the Department by providing legal advice and counsel on acquisitions and procurement to DHS procurement and program officials and represents DHS in bid protests and claims appeals before various fora. This is a non-bargaining unit position. The position may be filled at the GS-14 or GS-15 grade level. It is a permanent, full-time appointment in the excepted service. Employees hired under an excepted service appointment generally serve a two-year trial period unless they have already completed one. If hired at GS-14, promotion to the next higher level may occur without further competition. The position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. The successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen, be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, and graduate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school. Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation for Secret clearance and a pre-employment drug test. A Confidential Financial Disclosure Form (OGE 450) is required.

Requirements

First professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or second professional law degree (LL.M.).
Graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Active membership in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
More than three years of specialized professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
For GS-14: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government.
For GS-15: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal government.
Specialized experience providing legal advice and support on federal acquisition and procurement matters, including advising contracting personnel, program offices, and senior agency leadership on procurement planning, contract formation and administration, bid protests, claims, disputes, and related litigation.
U.S. citizenship.
Successfully pass a background investigation and pre-employment drug test.
Submit law school and college transcripts with the application; unofficial transcripts are accepted initially, with official transcripts required if selected.
Meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Advise DHS clients verbally and in writing on legal issues related to acquisition and procurement throughout all stages of the procurement process.
Provide training to clients on procurement topics.
Advise on acquisition planning, exceptions to competition, solicitation language, evaluation of offerors, contract award decisions, debriefings, award documents, and contract administration.
Assist clients during internal and external reviews and audits, including determining what information may be released.
Coordinate with program offices and other OGC disciplines on acquisitions, litigation, and other legal matters.
Advise management and program officials to ensure actions comply with governing laws, regulations, and policies and to help avoid litigation and other legal challenges.
Serve as lead attorney in agency-level protests, Government Accountability Office bid protests, and contract appeals before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Assist the Department of Justice on claims or protests before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims or the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.