General Attorney (Contract)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Kansas City, MO

10d

About The Position

The General Attorney independently plans, organizes, and performs legal work on assigned cases and matters involving construction claims and appeals, contract formation, environmental law, equal employment opportunity, and employee relations. The attorney reviews and analyzes contract claims, including monetary claims and difficult legal and factual issues such as fraud, and advises on their disposition. The attorney conducts factual and legal research using relevant Federal and State court decisions, boards of contract appeals decisions, Comptroller General decisions, statutes, and regulations, and prepares and tries cases appealed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.

The position also involves research and legal advice on important legal or policy issues arising during the formation of innovative, high-dollar, long-term contracts, as well as advice on procurement matters before contract award. The attorney provides legal assistance on environmental issues, including environmental impact statement reviews under NEPA and permits under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The attorney advises managers, the District Engineer, and the Equal Employment Office on Federal employment law.

The position requires an ABA-accredited law degree and active, good-standing membership in a qualifying bar. Applicants must have at least two years of professional legal experience or qualify through the described combination of advanced legal education or class standing and experience. Appointment may require a suitability or fitness determination and a two-year trial period. The role requires TDY or business travel 20% of the time, direct deposit, and confidential financial disclosure upon entry and annually thereafter.

Requirements

• Successfully complete a full course of study at an ABA-accredited law school and hold a first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.).
• Have at least two years of professional legal experience, or meet the stated combination-of-education-and-experience qualification using an LL.M. or graduation in the top 25% of an ABA-accredited law school as a substitute for one year of required professional legal experience after bar admission.
• Be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; a copy of proof must be provided.
• Be currently fit to practice law; if fitness or conduct has been challenged, submit a sworn statement with the facts and circumstances, notarized and dated within three months of application, unless currently employed as an attorney with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• If currently employed as a Federal Government attorney, meet the stated time-in-grade requirement: one year at the next lower level within 30 days of the announcement closing date, or prior service at the same or higher grade.
• Provide documentation of qualifying experience in the resume.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) upon entry and annually thereafter.
• Meet any suitability or fitness determination based on a completed background investigation.
• Complete the required two-year trial period.
• If relying on foreign education, provide the required evaluation or evidence of equivalency to an accredited U.S. education program.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Use direct deposit for pay.

Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and advise on the disposition of contract claims, including monetary claims and difficult legal or factual issues involving fraud and disputed facts.
• Conduct factual and legal research on claims using Federal and State court decisions, boards of contract appeals decisions, Comptroller General decisions, statutes, and regulations.
• Lay the foundation for and try cases appealed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
• Research and advise on important legal or policy issues arising during formation of innovative, high-dollar, long-term contracts.
• Provide legal advice on procurement matters before contract award.
• Provide legal assistance and advice on environmental law issues, including environmental impact statements under NEPA and permits under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
• Provide legal advice and assistance to managers, the District Engineer, and the Equal Employment Office on Federal employment law.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to the employee and family; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Permanent Change of Station allowances may be authorized subject to applicable regulations and agency determination.
• A relocation incentive may be authorized if it is in the Government's best interest.

What This Job Offers

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