Summary About the Position: This is an Attorney Adviser (Contracts), GS-0905-11/12/13 position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Southwestern Division (SWD), Fort Worth District, Office of Counsel. This is a permanent and full-time position and will be located in Fort Worth, TX. The position is developmental and may be filled at the GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 level. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for this position. Responsibilities Works under the technical and advisory supervision of the District Counsel. Responsible for the preparation or review of complex legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on complex questions relating to state and Federal laws and regulations. As assigned by the District Counsel, responsible for activities pertaining to contract formation affecting the award of contracts, including review of Invitations for bid, Requests for Proposal, and source selection documents. Responsible for activities pertaining to contract performance and administration. Responsible for post contract performance activities, including advice on contract closeout, architect-engineer liability, warranties, and latent defects. Reviews, analyzes, and provides legal advice on post-contract performance actions. Manage and administer the procurement fraud prevention program. In the area of fiscal law, responds to/advises on alleged Anti-deficiency Act violations, project funding issues, and District purchase/expenditure issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.). Law school transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Experience for the GS-11 level: An applicant must have one or more years of professional legal experience acquired after being admitted to the bar. Experience for the GS-12 level: An applicant must have two or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Experience for the GS-13 level: An applicant must have two or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Time in Grade Requirement: If 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 as the position being filled. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Your application package will be evaluated to ensure your experience, knowledge, skills, training and/or education meet the qualification requirements stated in this vacancy announcement. Quality of experience relates to how closely or to what extent an applicant's background and recency of experience and education clearly reflect that you possess the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of this position. The following KSA's must be addressed in your resume. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating or effect your overall rating. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs) Qualification Requirements: 1. Knowledge, skills, and abilities with regards to providing advice related to federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the formation and administration of contracts for construction, architect-engineering, and services. 2. Knowledge, skills and ability as it applies to providing legal advice on interagency actions and authorities to include the Economy Act requirements, applying another agency's authorities when acting as a servicing agency, interagency agreements, and general fiscal law requirements and principles related to both USACE's and another agency's funding. 3. Knowledge, skills and ability in the following areas of federal law and practice, including but not limited to: FOIA and Privacy Act inquiries, investigations, environmental law, and administrative law. 4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For fur ther information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Legal Career Field position Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. NOTICE OF VETERANS' PREFERENCE 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 (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 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.)