Attorney-Adviser

Summary

About the Position: This position is in support of the DHA Office of General Counsel, located in Falls Church, Virginia. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Responsibilities

Manage fraud cases by determining and coordinating optimal civil, criminal, and administrative remedies.

Coordinate with government partners, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and criminal investigators, providing direct litigation support, and delivering official agency analysis on legal matters such as settlements.

Responsible for the entire suspension and debarment process, from analyzing referrals and preparing administrative records to drafting decisions for the Suspension and Debarment Official (SDO).

Support Department of Justice (DOJ), Defense Health Agency’s Office of Inspector General, and other relevant stakeholders on TRICARE program-related healthcare fraud and abuse matters..

Represent the government in adversarial proceedings and hearings, such as those before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for bid protests and the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals for appeals.

Support the Department of Justice (DOJ) in civil litigation that significantly impacts the Military Health System (MHS), Defense Health Agency, and the TRICARE program, often involving millions of dollars and complex policy issues.

Review complex contractual documents and provisions for legal sufficiency and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policy.

Formulate the government’s legal position on claims, disputes, and appeals, often against top-tier law firms.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position: Skill in identifying contracting and acquisition legal issues Ability to prepare litigation reports and briefings Skill in oral and written advocacy. Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs. NOTICE OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Defense Health Agency considers veteran's preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documents (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 a 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 http://www.opm.gov/). TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 52 weeks 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. Time-in grade may be waived for current federal employees at management's discretion. 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 (LLB or JD). Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three months of the date the application is submitted. If the document has been ordered, but not arrived, you may provide a screenshot of your certificate (clearly showing a time/date within the last 90 days) which validates your active status. Experience Required for the NH-04: Applicant must have three (3) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the Bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

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 further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.