ATTORNEY-ADVISER (GENERAL)

About this role

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (for example, 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 a career ladder position.

Applicants may be selected at any level advertised in the vacancy announcement. If selected below the full performance level, employees may be non-competitively promoted up to the full performance level upon verification of qualifications and management concurrence. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-12: GS-12 or equivalent entry-level attorneys are entrusted with the initial preparation of proposed solutions to projects. They conduct investigations to obtain facts, study legal precedents, make recommendations, and prepare necessary documents.

They receive preliminary instructions, their commitment authority is limited, and their completed written work is carefully reviewed. Assignments require the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.), active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, and one of the following: (a) Two years of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level. (b) The second professional law degree (LL.M.) plus one year of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level.

An attorney without experience may be employed at the GS-12 or equivalent level if the individual has advanced educational attainments substantially beyond those required for work at the GS-11 or equivalent level and if their education clearly indicates ability to perform the type of work to be assigned, including courses directly pertinent to the work of the agency. The individual's education must enable them to step into complex legal work characteristic of the GS-12 or equivalent level and to operate with the degree of independence and responsibility typical of that level.