Attorney-Adviser (Contract).

About the role

This is an Excepted Service position as an Attorney-Adviser (Contract) within the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The role serves as a Team Lead for contract attorneys and acts as a senior legal advisor for the DLA Acquisition Supply Chain Directorate on all acquisition matters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Team Lead for contract attorneys under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Counsel, acting as Senior Contracts Counsel.
• Act as a senior legal advisor and subject matter expert on acquisition matters for supplies and services, including legal issues related to solicitation, negotiation, award administration, and modification.
• Provide advice and risk assessments for special procurements involving high-level officials, negotiations of special terms, high visibility, and substantial fund expenditures.
• Review and coordinate decisions by contracting officers on contract claims, terminations, breach of contract actions, revocation of acceptance of defective material, and re-procurement after default.
• Provide advice and litigation support for contract challenges, overseeing or directly handling contract-related actions before the Government Accountability Office, Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and Federal Courts.
• Manage the distribution of work among contract team attorneys, ensuring accuracy, responsiveness, and timeliness. Provide guidance and training to junior attorneys on complex or precedential issues.
• Review and advise on local acquisition policies, procedures, and instructions for legal sufficiency, consistency, and compliance with applicable laws, including the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
• Prepare timely responses to Congressional and Executive-level inquiries, and advise on administrative matters such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, fiscal law, contract fraud, labor law, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) law, ethics, and installation law.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Tour of Duty: Flexible.
• Security Requirements: Non-Critical Sensitive with Secret Access. Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness determination; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt.
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
• Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized.
• Bargaining Unit Status: No.
• Financial Disclosure Requirement: Required.
• This position may be used to fill various shifts within DLA General Counsel, DLA Weapons Support in Richmond, VA.

Qualifications

• Possess the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.).
• Proof of licensure and membership in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Acceptable proof includes a "certificate of good standing" issued within 6 months of the closing date of this announcement or a dated screenshot of your bar status from your state's licensure website.
• For the GS-14 level: Professional legal experience in excess of 3 years commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Principal selection factors include:

• Knowledge and experience in Federal acquisition law, preferably with the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Analytical and legal ability, including issue identification, legal research, analysis of options, risk analysis, and creative problem-solving.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and client relationships, with the ability to interact well with clients, colleagues, and senior officials on routine as well as sensitive issues.
• Excellent legal and business judgment.
• Ability to lead team members toward achievement of organizational goals.
• Ability to train and assist in the development of junior attorneys.
• Ability to work effectively with a breadth of colleagues and geographically dispersed clients.

Security Clearance

This position is designated Non-Critical Sensitive. If selected, you must obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Failure to obtain this clearance within a reasonable period may result in withdrawal of the employment offer. Incumbent is subject to periodic re-investigation to maintain security eligibility.

Education

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. If using foreign education, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education programs and deemed equivalent to a U.S. education program.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing. Applicants tentatively selected for employment in testing-designated positions will undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to undergo testing or testing positive for illegal drugs will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and a six-month denial of employment with DLA. Employees in drug-testing designated positions are subject to random drug testing. The DLA drug testing panel tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, norfentanyl, MDMA, MDA, and opioids. Use of cannabidiol (CBD) products may result in a positive drug test for marijuana.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.