Attorney-Advisor (General)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), General Law Division (GLD).

The primary purpose of this position is to draft decisions on the applications of Coast Guard members and veterans to the Board for Correction of Military Records of the Coast Guard (Board).

Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Basic Requirements: GS-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B.

or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship.

GS-14 and GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B.

or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.

Specialized Experience: The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application.

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government.

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government.

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal government.

Specialized experience is experience researching and drafting legal decisions concerning military personnel matters pursuant to judicial clerkships or in other adjudicatory fora.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

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).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Major Duties:

As an Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-13/14/15, your typical work assignments may include: Read case files concerning allegations of error and injustice in Coast Guard members' and veterans' military personnel and medical records-such as claims about promotion, punishment, retirement, pay, discharges, and disability benefits-to learn and be able to discuss the facts of each assigned case.

Research the relevant law and policy concerning applications received by the Board and identify significant factual and legal issues for the Board to consider and deliberate.

Perform other research, writing, and legal and administrative work as directed.

Draft formal legal decisions with excellent logic and clarity and containing thorough summaries of the allegations, military and medical records, and applicable law and policy, as well as findings with clear and careful applications of the law and policy to the facts.

Present and discuss draft decisions at Board meetings for deliberation and adjudication by the Board and rewrite decisions as required by the Board.

Manage your assigned case load to ensure that the Board's decisions are timely issued.

Communicate with Coast Guard members and applicants and respond to their telephone calls and written inquiries about Board cases and procedures.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.