Summary About the Position: New England is a full-service District that handles all Corps business lines. The District's area of responsibility includes Hanscom Air Force Base, Westover Air Force Base, and the Natick Soldier Systems Center. Civil works responsibilities include the operation and maintenance of forty-one flood control projects, the Cape Cod Canal, three storm-damage reduction barriers, and numerous federal navigation and coastal projects throughout New England. Responsibilities The Incumbent serves as Assistant Counsel in the New England District, providing legal advice to management and project teams on all matters arising in the District. The individual works under the general supervision of the District Counsel and independently plans and executes assignments in specialty areas and confers with the supervisor, as needed or requested. Work products are reviewed for soundness of decisions and recommendations, along with conformity with legal precedents and Corps of Engineers policy. Provides advice, guidance, and direction to District staff elements, headquarters, contracting officers, and others regarding complex contract formation and administration problems on construction, service, supply, and architect-engineer contracts. Provides legal guidance and assists in formulating the District's position on contract claims, disputes, and appeals, which routinely involve factual and legal issues, such as differing site conditions, delay, acceleration, and suspension claims. Provides legal guidance and support to the District Commander and staff on the District's regulatory program and activities related to Civil Works projects with respect to environmental laws and requirements. Reviews all controversial permit matters, environmental impact statements, feasibility studies, and decision documents for all Civil Works projects. Provides advice, guidance and direction to District staff in the review of personnel administration, EEO, and labor relations policies and procedures. Support duties to the Department of Justice and local offices of the United States Attorney including but not limited to: the preparation of litigation reports and extending assistance in all pre-trial, trial, and appellate matters. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration. 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 requirements: Education: Applicants must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree (LLB or JD). Bar membership: Applicants must be a current member in good standing of the bar of a State, Territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of a certificate or other evidence showing you are a current member in good standing with the bar of a State, Territory of the US, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, together with a sworn (notarized) statement that your fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction, OR if either has been challenged, a sworn (notarized) statement concerning the facts and circumstances together with any explanation you deem appropriate may be submitted. As an alternative to a sworn (notarized) statement, a declaration under penalty of perjury may be submitted in the following format: "I declare (or certify, verify or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct....executed on (Date)....(Your Signature)." (28 U.S.C. 746). This statement and certificate or other evidence showing you are in good standing with the Bar must be attached with your application and dated within 3 months of the date of your submitted application.) PLEASE NOTE: Official or unofficial law school transcript must be submitted with your resume. IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, ALL APPLICANTS (CURRENT ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ATTORNEYS DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT ITEMS 1-4) MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: (1) Official certificate or other evidence showing employee is in good standing with the Bar; (2) Sworn (notarized) statement that fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction; (3) List of References from three members of the Bar; (4) Official or unofficial law school transcript; (5) Copies of your most recent performance appraisal and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) (current federal employees only); (6) Relevant training, awards history, professional registration/licenses, if applicable, should be included in the content of the resume; (7) Writing sample which shall not exceed 10 pages total;(8) OF612, SF171 or resume demonstrating specialized experience applicable to the job Experience at the GS-11:Applicant must have one or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, this is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of this position, OR have graduated in the top third of class, OR have obtained an advanced law degree (Master of Laws (LL.M). However, this criterion may be waived for applicants who demonstrate unusual compensating qualifications, such as significant pertinent public service experience, technical background, or other academic degrees.. Experience at the GS-12/13:Applicant must have two years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. (Exceptions to the experience requirement may be made for possession of special qualifications. For example, a second professional law degree (master of laws) or graduation with a distinguished record from an accredited law school (for example, in the top 25 percent of the class) may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience. Specialized experience is defined as meeting all of the following: (1) Knowledge and ability regarding federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to acquisition and contract claims and litigation; (2) Knowledge and ability regarding federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to environmental and regulatory law; (3) Knowledge and ability regarding litigation, administrative law, federal standards of conduct/ethics, employment law, labor relations, real estate, torts, Freedom of Information Act, and fiscal law; (4) Knowledge and ability to serve a as a legal advisor to a senior managers and project teams; to develop and implement innovative legal solutions to complex problems achieving organizational goals and objectives; and (5) Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. VETERANS PREFERENCE INFORMATION: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Army considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (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.(SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov .) This is an excepted service position. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Professional Services Career Field position Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.