ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (GENERAL)

Defense Finance and Accounting Service

Polis, IN

JobSummary

This position is in the excepted service. It is filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. Position is located in: DFAS Office of General Counsel, Total Force Pay Law Directorate - Indianapolis, IN.

LowGrade

HighGrade

PromotionPotential

SubAgencyName

DFAS Director's Office, General Counsel, Total Force Pay Law Directorate

OrganizationCodes

DD/DD35

Relocation

True

HiringPath

public

MCOTags

NatSec

TotalOpenings

AgencyMarketingStatement

Defense Finance and Accounting Service's (DFAS) mission is to lead the DoD (Department of Defense) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information. We take pride in serving the men and women who defend America. DFAS is seeking goal-oriented people who like a challenge and care about serving our country. The announced position is in the Office of General Counsel (OGC). The DFAS OGC mission is "to provide comprehensive legal counsel and solutions to DFAS and DoD." The General Counsel is the chief legal officer and is responsible for all legal advice and services to the Director and Headquarters staff of DFAS on all matters affecting DFAS. Examples of areas of practice include, but are not limited to the following: acquisition, administrative law, FOIA, Privacy Act, bankruptcy and debt collection, contract pay, administrative and employment and labor law, military pay, retired pay and annuity pay, civilian pay, and litigation. For more information, visit www.dfas.mil.

TravelCode

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

For vacancies filled at less than the full performance level of the position, duties will be developmental in nature.
Serves as an Assistant Counsel within the DFAS Office of General Counsel.
Drafts comprehensive, clear, and concise written opinions on legal problems involving complex issues with little or no legal precedents and makes recommendations for action.
Effectively manages multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently.
Demonstrates and maintains strong written and verbal communication skills.
Works both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment.
Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships within and outside DFAS.
Practices law in multiple areas with a primary practice areas of law: military compensation, military retirement pay and survivor benefits, civilian compensation, tax law, Federal non-tax debt collection and fiscal law.
Demonstrates capability to learn new areas of law or demonstrates existing knowledge and experience in one or more of the primary practice areas.
Legal Practice may also include, but is not limited to: commercial law, contract law, assisted acquisitions, commercial bankruptcy and debt collection, contract pay, and litigation.

Education

Education requirements are listed in the Qualifications section above.

Requirements

Evaluations

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING. All information included in the resume and Occupational Questionnaire is subject to review and verification. HR will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be further evaluated based upon information you provided in the Occupational Questionnaire. If a determination is made that the work experience described in your submitted resume does not support your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire, your score may be reduced, and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are already a DFAS employee, you may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service, if you are found to have exaggerated, embellished, inflated, mischaracterized, or falsified your resume or qualifications. The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies: You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12930019

HowToApply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below. Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. 1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. 2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application. 3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

WhatToExpectNext

The occupational questionnaire and the resume that you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job, and to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

RequiredDocuments

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two-page resume requirement may be found here or here. 2. Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement. 3. Transcripts or Proof of Education: You must submit documentation to verify that you possess a law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Click this link for specific information on acceptable documents: Transcripts and Certifications. 4. Proof of Bar membership: A certification document that reflects active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia and that you are a member in good standing is required. You may certify to your status as an active member in good standing in responding to the assessment questionnaire; however, all applicants will be required to submit a current bar certificate prior to receipt of a firm offer. 5. Cover Letter: Although not required, you may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility. 6. Military Spouses: Spousal Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, marriage certificate/license and the Self-Certification form are required to claim Military Spouse Preference. 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, VA letter or any documentation that verifies "Character of Service", dates served, campaign badges, or disability of the Veteran) to their submissions. For additional information regarding Veterans' eligibilities and required documentation please click here. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit all supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. Please refer to Standard Form 15, Application for 10 point preference which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents. This form is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at: http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf. WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) 04/21/2026, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.dfas.mil/Careers/Benefits/

OtherInformation

Moving expenses will be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements. Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 or 2 year trial period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.? We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom (1-24%). This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here) Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

ServiceType

AnnouncementClosingType

AgencyContactEmail

dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil

AgencyContactPhone

(317) 212-0454

SecurityClearance

Other