Assistant Legal Adviser

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below.

Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B. or a J.D. degree at the time of application and submit proof of your degree with your application.

AND Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. You must submit proof of licensure with your application. The application process to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method.

You must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications ( MTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Please submit your 2-page resume as an additional attachment.

It is strongly recommended that you submit your 2-page resume in PDF format. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing ECQs or MTQs. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): YOUR RESUME (NOT TO EXCEED TWO PAGES) MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE OF YOUR ECQs : ECQ 1, Commitment to Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding.

This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2, Driving Efficiency. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3, Merit and Competence.

This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4, Leading People. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5, Achieving Results. This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

NOTE: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ)s: IN ADDITION, YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ): Your responses to the MTQ should be embedded/addressed within your resume not to exceed two pages. MTQ 1 Demonstrated experience providing sound legal advice and representation involving the interpretation and application of public international law and domestic law to the foreign policy and management activities of large public or private organizations.

MTQ 2 Demonstrated experience providing sound legal advice and representation through effective written and oral counsel and advocacy on issues relating to U.S. foreign relations, including with respect to foreign states, international organizations, and the conduct of U.S. diplomacy. NOTE: Your demonstrated leadership ability and the evidence of the ECQs and MTQs must be clearly shown in your resume. A separate narrative statement will not be accepted.

A sample 2-page resume that incorporates ECQs and MTQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17), “Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications” and “Senior Executive Service Qualifications & Fundamental-Competencies”. YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IF YOU FAIL TO FULLY DEMONSTRATE EACH ECQ AND MTQ AND IF YOUR RESUME EXCEEDS TWO (2) PAGES.

Current or Former (within last 5 years) Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employees in the Executive Branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee, please indicate this in your resume.

Serving in a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES appointment WILL NOT eliminate you from consideration.

The Assistant Legal Adviser for Buildings and Acquisitions (L/BA) provides legal advice and services on matters of particular importance to United States foreign policy interests.

This includes providing advice on the legal implications of contemplated actions (frequently in international situations that present novel issues), including, for example, the consistency of the action with respect to domestic and international law and the practice of the Department and what consequences might result in relations with other nations.

Responsibilities of the Assistant Legal Adviser (L/BA) include but are not limited to the following: Provides timely, effective, and expert legal advice for Department and interagency efforts regarding: the solicitation, award, and administration of Federal acquisition contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements; the acquisition, development, and disposition of real property abroad and domestically, including construction, leasing, and property management matters affecting U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities; the negotiation and mediation of contract claims and agency bid protests; direct representation of the Department in contract appeals before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office; the management of Government property both domestically and abroad; the drafting and interpretation of Federal acquisition laws, regulations, and policies, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Department-specific acquisition regulations; the oversight and administration of employee associations at posts abroad; and Federal grant and cooperative agreement laws, regulations, policies, and administrative guidance.

Assists in drafting related laws, regulations, procedures, and agreements, and handles related litigation, administrative proceedings, and claims, arising from these areas of practice. Directs and supervises the work of 15-18 attorneys and other staff assigned to the office. Reviews their work products to ensure that accurate and timely advice and services are provided. Discharges office management and administrative responsibilities.

Promotes the Department's human resources policies and encourages employee development through varied work assignments, continuing legal education, and other means.