Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all qualified candidates.

• Primary job duty of this position is litigation of cases before administrative and judicial forums such as Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Federal courts.
• The employee is expected to develop and maintain expertise in Federal Government Administrative and Employment law with the goal of providing advice, guidance, counseling, and training to clients on a routine basis.
• Litigates cases primarily before the MSPB and EEOC. Conducts all phases of litigation including discovery, motions practice, administrative hearings (bench trials), settlements, and appeals.
• Serves as an Attorney responsible for identifying agency interests, facts, and relevant issues; conducting sound and thorough legal research and insightfully applying the law to draw sound legal conclusions and solutions.
• Practices preventative law to aid clients in policy development in multiple areas, such as military and civilian pay law, military retired pay law, tax law, bankruptcy law, fiscal law.
• Advises senior leadership officials of litigation risks and settlement recommendations and engages in settlement negotiations both inside and outside of formal mediations and settlement conferences.
• Provides suggestions and recommendations for process improvement. Renders opinions on legal problems involving complex issues with little or no legal precedents and makes recommendations for action. Conducts complex meetings and/or special projects.
• For vacancies filled at less than the full performance level of the position, duties will be developmental in nature.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen or National
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
• Suitable for Federal employment
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

GS-12 Qualifications: Assignments require 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. In addition, one of the following requirements must be satisfied:
a. Two years of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level.
b. The second professional law degree (LL.M.) plus 1 year of professional legal experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level.
2. An attorney without experience may, in unusual cases, be employed at the GS-12 or equivalent level provided the individual has advanced educational attainments substantially beyond those required for work at the GS-11 or equivalent level, and his or her education clearly indicates ability to perform work of the type to be assigned; for example, education that included courses directly pertinent to the work of the agency. The essential point in such cases is to ensure that the individual's education has enabled him or her to step into complex legal work characteristic of the GS-12 or equivalent level, and to operate with the degree of independence and responsibility typical of that level.

GS-13 Qualifications: Assignments require 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. In addition, the attorney shall have professional legal experience in excess of 2 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

This announcement is being used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-12, or GS-13 with a full performance level of GS-13. The minimum salary for grade GS-12 is $89,447, the maximum salary is $116,286. The minimum salary for grade GS-13 is $106,365, the maximum salary is $138,276.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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/12829497

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 at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ or at http://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit
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. For additional information on acceptable documents click here: 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. If a certificate is not available by the closing date of the announcement, you may certify to your status as an active member in good standing in responding to the assessment questionnaire. 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)
11/21/2025, 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.

Next steps