Attorney Advisor

Air Force Civilian Career Training•Davis Monthan AFB, AZ

About The Position

This competitive recent-graduate program offers law school graduates an opportunity to serve the Air Force and Space Force as civilian attorneys. Selectees receive extensive training and work as Attorney-Advisors (General), supporting the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA). They provide legal advice and counsel in administrative, claims, environmental, contract, labor, and international law to wing and tenant units. The position includes developmental and recurring assignments of increasing difficulty and complexity, performed with guidance from senior attorneys and/or the Judge Advocate. Work includes assessing legal compliance, sufficiency, and advisability; evaluating policies, proposed actions, decisions, official conduct, transactions, documents, investigations, inquiries, public statements, plans, and initiatives; and evaluating claims by and against the government, assessing legal risk, and recommending dispositions. The attorney interprets and adapts guidelines to resolve procedural or factual issues and participates in special projects, initiatives, and studies. The attorney researches policy and precedent, evaluates the impact of new or modified guidelines, analyzes data affecting program operations, prepares and coordinates reference papers and project documentation, presents reports, and recommends solutions. The position also prepares correspondence and other documentation for the SJA using word-processing, spreadsheet, and other software. The PALACE Acquire Program provides a formal training plan, mentorship, an individual training and development plan, at least 40 hours of formal interactive training annually, and opportunities for advancement. The program offers a permanent position upon successful completion of the training plan, subject to applicable performance, qualification, and conversion requirements. Training lasts two years for master's degree holders and three years for bachelor's degree holders, with yearly salary increases; promotions and increases depend on successful performance and supervisory approval.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Graduates must have completed a full course of study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school and hold a first professional law degree (LLB or JD).
Applicants must provide proof of passing a State Bar and be licensed as an attorney, in active or equivalent status and in good standing, in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth; bar membership in at least one jurisdiction must be maintained throughout employment.
The first law degree and all bar requirements must have been completed within the previous two years, subject to the stated exception for qualifying veterans whose military service obligation prevented timely application and who completed degree requirements no more than six years ago.
A GPA of 2.95 or higher out of 4.0 is required for Superior Academic Achievement.
For GS-11 qualification, applicants must meet one of the following: one year of professional law experience; a second professional law degree (LL.M.) requiring at least one full academic year of graduate study; or qualifying superior law-student work or achievement, such as upper-third class standing, significant law review or journal work, high-level academic honors, sustained legal-aid participation, significant summer law-office clerk experience, or other clearly superior accomplishment.
Knowledge of applicable law in assigned specialized practice areas to advise command and management and represent Air Force interests.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local law as it affects private individuals, sufficient to provide personal legal assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
Ability to recognize and analyze key legal issues and reach clear, concise conclusions through well-reasoned analysis.
Ability to research legal issues, analyze complex facts in light of legal principles and research, and prepare 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 official with quasi-judicial power.
Maintain current certifications.
A one-year trial period applies beginning on the first day of appointment.
Submit copies of all transcripts, including transferred hours; official copies are required if selected. Degree audits are not accepted.
Foreign education must be documented as equivalent to a conventional U.S. education program.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for or exempt from Selective Service.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and counsel to wing and tenant units in administrative, claims, environmental, contract, labor, and international law.
Assess legal compliance, sufficiency, and advisability of policies, actions, decisions, conduct, transactions, documents, investigations, inquiries, statements, plans, and initiatives.
Evaluate claims by and against the government, assess legal risk, and recommend disposition.
Complete recurring and developmental legal assignments of increasing difficulty and complexity, interpreting and adapting guidelines to address procedural or factual issues.
Carry out special projects and participate in initiatives and studies with assistance from senior attorneys and/or the Judge Advocate.
Research policy and precedent and assess the impact of new or modified guidelines.
Analyze data affecting program operations and prepare substantive evaluations and recommendations to resolve issues.
Prepare and coordinate reference papers and documentation supporting project initiatives.
Present reports to a variety of audiences.
Prepare written correspondence and other documentation for the SJA using word-processing, spreadsheet, and other software.

Benefits

A permanent position may be offered upon successful completion of the formal training plan; conversion is not guaranteed.
Formal training plan with yearly salary increases.
Promotions and salary increases based on successful performance and supervisory approval.
Participant agreement and orientation program.
Mentorship throughout the program.
Individual Training & Development Plan for career planning, professional development, and training activities.
At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year.
Opportunity for career advancement after program completion.
A federal employee benefits package is available; specific eligibility depends on position type.
Permanent Change of Station expenses may be paid if authorized.
Student loan repayment may be authorized.
Recruitment incentive may be authorized.
Leave accrual may be authorized upon request.