Attorney-Adviser (General)

Full Job Description

About the Position: This position is located with the U.S. Cyber Command, Office of the Cyber National Mission Force at Fort Meade, MD.

If you are currently serving in a permanent, competitive service appointment in the Federal service, and are selected for this position, the appointment will remove you from the competitive service while you occupy this position.

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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 knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.

KSA's: Skill in identifying and researching highly technical and complex legal issues. Skill in providing legal, technical, and policy guidance.

Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.

Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education Requirements: Position requires the possession of the first professional law degree (LL.B.

or J.D.) AND active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.

Applicants for initial appointment into attorney positions within the Department of Army must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of the applicant's graduation.

As indicated below, a law school transcript must be submitted with your application materials.

Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be a member in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S.

territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As noted below, proof of such membership and good standing must be submitted with your application materials.

Experience: In addition to the requirements above, applicants for the GS-15 or equivalent Attorney positions must also possess 3 years of professional legal experience , acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LLM may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.

Time in Grade: The Qualifying Authorities (QA's) will make a determination as to the applicability of time in grade based on the requirements of the position.

If you are currently employed as an attorney by the Federal government you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position being filled.

NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the 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 (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.

The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with the list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/.

Major Duties:

• Serves as the Cyber National Mission Force's (CNMF) principal subject matter expert and senior legal advisor for cyber operations and national security law by providing legal counsel on the most complex and often highly classified legal matters.
• Advises on issues involving not only strictly legal matters, but also significant matters of command operations and the day-to-day activities of offensive and defensive cyber operations.
• Responsible for applying cyber operations and national security law in consideration of international, federal, state and local laws, as well as Department of Defense (DoD) and United States Cyber Command (USCC) policies and directives.
• Conducts extensive research on a myriad of legal and operational issues associated with cyberspace operations, telecommunications, and information operations to ensure compliance and freedom of action for friendly forces.
• Assists in the development and comprehensive review of all orders, concepts of operations (CONOPs), and other planning and policy documents, including DoD and Service publications, providing expert comments and products.
• Reviews operation plans and orders, command annexes to USCYBERCOM plans and orders, and rules of engagement, as well as revising provisions to resolve legal and operational issues or concerns.
• Proactively practices and promotes preventive law by conducting and participating in briefings for command leadership on current and highly specialized areas of law, including difficult, complex, controversial, or unprecedented legal issues.
• Maintains personal availability to key senior management officials and Commanders to provide expert legal and policy advice and ensure appropriate legal services are provided to military and civilian personnel worldwide.
• Provides advice and guidance on matters related to information technology and cyberspace such as artificial intelligence; privacy and security; copyright, trademark, intellectual property issues, and data-encryption.
• Serves as the primary legal advisor and subject matter expert on cyber security policy and authorities for the Command and subordinate elements.
• Reviews existing and proposed legislation and legal instruments to enhance the Command's authority and scope of operations, recommending new legislative language where needed.
• Serves as subject matter expert on the application of the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement for the Command and its major subordinate elements.
• Provides advice on computer network attack, defense, and exploitation, military applications for self-defense and attack, and the legal implications of using or interfering with telecommunications services.
• Reviews and advises on all aspects of intelligence operations and activities, including the legalities of the collection, retention, and dissemination of intelligence information.
• Advises on planning and executing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations to ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with applicable legal authorities and oversight requirements.
• Analyzes and interprets legislation, executive orders, directives, and regulations governing intelligence operations, activities, and organization, including the oversight of the intelligence community and its DoD elements.
• Negotiates and confers with other federal agencies regarding the administration and regulation of USCYBERCOM intelligence and counterintelligence operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the diverse requirements of a small, highly specialized legal office covering multiple legal discipline.