- Defense Institute of International Legal Studies
- Attorney (International/Military) Vacancy Annou...
Attorney (International/Military) Vacancy Announcement
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Personnel Notice: 05-21
Closing Date: July 11, 2021
Grade: GS-13/14
Type: Attorney (International/Military)
The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) is recruiting for an attorney (international/military) position for maritime legal institution capacity building at Naval Station Newport, RI. DIILS is a joint agency activity under the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
DSCA's mission is to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of foreign security forces to respond to shared challenges. DSCA leads the broader U.S. security cooperation enterprise in its efforts to train, educate, advise, and equip foreign partners. DSCA administers security cooperation (SC) programs that support U.S. policy interests and objectives.
DIILS is the lead Defense SC resource for legal institutional capacity building (ICB), legal education and training, and dissemination of international humanitarian law and human rights training. DIILS conducts SC and ICB programs with partner nation security sector officials, trains partner units on international human rights standards, and hosts resident legal education programs for international students at the DIILS Education Center in Newport, RI.
The Maritime Institution Capacity Building attorney serves as a program manager and subject matter expert (SME) in DIILS legal aspects of defense ICB efforts in maritime security. In collaboration with, and the general oversight of, the Maritime Law Functional Program Director (Maritime FPD), this attorney develops, coordinates, executes, and conducts Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (AM&E), and reporting with respect to legal maritime ICB programs. This attorney ensures these programs are consistent with applicable guidance from Department of Defense (DoD) and, when applicable, Department of State. Maintains open, regular and timely communication with the Maritime FPD and Operations Director on the overall programmatic approach to be taken and the theory of reforms, and to obtain concurrence with the Maritime FPD on all ICB programs. This attorney ensures and confirms to the Maritime FPD that Maritime Security ICB program goals and prioritization ranking is consistent with DoD and DSCA SC priorities, the DIILS mandate and agency policy.
This attorney coordinates with other DIILS elements to ensure that functional ICB programs advance DIILS human rights/law of armed conflict mandate and are coordinated with DIILS regional ICB programs. Maintains and advances maritime law expertise through research, networking, and education/conference attendance.
This attorney researches and analyzes applicable regional SC policies and objectives and engagement guidance. Coordinates the planning and execution of DIILS capacity building programs with appropriate U.S. Government stakeholders. Researches and advises on maritime rule of law issues relevant to DIILS engagements. Based on guidance by Maritime FPD, conceives and develops tailored and appropriately scoped engagement tools designed to support professional military legal education, training, and ICB programs. Reviews and analyzes treaties and international agreements and arrangements with the objective of incorporating relevant material into capacity building planning, program design, and reporting.
As directed, this attorney participates in legal capacity assessments and program scoping missions with partner nations. Based on the results of these assessments, develops a capacity gaps analysis and programmatic plan. Advises on country-engagement strategy and develops courses of action for complex engagement efforts tailored to the legal, military, operational, historical, social, cultural and political characteristics of the partner nations. Monitors the progress of ICB programs, and completes reporting on benchmarks and outcomes, using standard accepted qualitative and quantitative assessment techniques.
This attorney supports the Maritime FPD in planning and executing DIILS resident course, other educational programs, and to develop specialized curriculum and other training and educational materials, as needed.
This attorney position is responsible for conducting factual and legal research and analysis. Prepares finding of facts and opinions for consideration in researching and analyzing legal and institutional gaps of partner nations. Work requires analytical and writing abilities, and verbal communication skills. Incumbent is involved in complex legal problems. The work directly impacts short and long-term U.S. strategic interests with participating nations, consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals. This position requires the ability to interpret laws, regulations, and opinions of the DoD and other federal agencies, and apply to defense ICB program development, in support of DoD policies. Requires experience in the analysis of factual and legal issues, in particular international law, to determine what further facts are needed and what legal sources are applicable. Reviews policies, procedures, regulations, technical manuals, and other agency publications, and studies practices, policies, procedures, and operations of other government agencies, and professional publications and other authoritative sources of information required in the technical interpretation of factual issues. Incumbent conducts research of international agreements, laws, policies, regulations. Must demonstrate ability to resolve complex legal and programmatic issues with the guidance of the Maritime FPD and the supervisor. Must also demonstrate the ability to manage large projects independently, assimilate large amounts of materials quickly, balance a large and diverse workload, and work effectively in a team with other attorneys and support staff.
Requires skill in oral and written communication dealing with technical legal issues, in effectively communicating with a widely varying audience, including DIILS staff, adjunct faculty and SMEs, partner nation officials, and in persuading, educating and advising varying audiences.
In order to conceive, manage and assess a portfolio of complex legal capacity-building programs, the Maritime ICB attorney must have a combination of legal, SME, instructional, managerial, military, or other international experience relevant to the mission of DIILS. Must possess the ability to develop a program of legal aspects of maritime security ICBs. Must demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to effectively administer multiple simultaneous projects in several countries and complex program planning, monitoring, assessing, and reporting.
This attorney must be adept at cross-cultural communication in the context of effective organization and delivery of DIILS programs in the functional area of focus, and must have the maturity and adaptability to function within complex, challenging and uncertain environments.
Domestic and international travel (not to exceed 50%) will be required, which may include developing countries with limited medical facilities and particular security concerns. Receiving immunizations and taking prophylactic medication (such as for malaria) as recommended by the Center for Disease Control may be required. The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays and/or overtime.
This vacancy will be filled at the GS-13 or GS-14 level of the General Schedule, which currently has a pay range of $102,601 to $157,614 (which includes a locality adjustment for the Newport, RI area). Applicants must clearly identify the grade level(s) for which they wish to be considered in either a cover letter or within the resume. Candidates will only be considered an applicant for the position(s) identified. Pay will be commensurate with qualifications.
To be considered for the GS-13 level, the successful candidate must demonstrate a minimum of five years of professional legal experience after admission to the bar in the field of maritime law; at least one year of which was at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS‐12 level.
To be considered for the GS-14 level, the successful candidate must demonstrate a minimum of six years of significant professional legal experience after admission to the bar in the field of maritime law, one full year of which was at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS‐13 level in the Federal service that included:
- Experience representing an organization and assuring its compliance with Federal laws or legal capacity building consistent with international laws and norms;
- Experience advising organizations on the application of laws and regulations related to projects such as but not limited to implementation and oversight of large‐scale and complex maritime security programs or projects.
Applicants will be evaluated on: (1) the depth, breadth and quality of their relevant, successful legal experience; (2) analytical, oral, and written communication skills; and (3) interpersonal skills, including the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience in the areas of practice identified above, and within DoD, is a positive factor.
The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen, has graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), be admitted to practice before a state or federal court, and be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
This position has been identified as a Testing-Designated position and any individual tentatively selected that does not currently occupy a Testing-Designated position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
Only complete applications will be considered. Your resume may be submitted in any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e.," HRS per week and month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present"). Applicants must clearly identify the grade level(s) for which they wish to be considered in either a cover letter or within the resume. Candidates will only be considered an applicant for the position(s) identified. Pay will be commensurate with qualifications. All applicants must provide a complete copy of their law school transcripts including class rank and evidence of active membership in good standing in the bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Acceptable evidence may be a copy of your bar card or letter from the bar. Provide two recent performance appraisals, if available; and the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least three (3) references who may be contacted. Former military personnel provide a copy of the most recently issued Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD 214.
Electronic submission of applications is preferred. Materials should be sent to Mrs. Lisa Clay at lisa.j.clay.civ@mail.mil. Applicants submitting by U.S. mail or other delivery services are strongly encouraged to consider using expedited services, such as USPS Express Mail. Send applications to:
Defense Institute of International Legal Studies
Attn: Mrs. L. Clay, Executive Assistant
441 Elliot Ave
Newport, RI 02841-1531
Click here for ABA Center Announcement link
Complete applications must be received by midnight, Sunday, July 11, 2021 to be considered.
Relocation package, including recruitment or relocation incentive, superior qualifications, and leave accrual, may be authorized depending upon availability of funding.
You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
DIILS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EMPLOYER
All hiring and advancement at DIILS is based on merit without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or marital status.
DIILS provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should inform the individual identified in the personnel notice. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE IN HIRING
Applicants eligible for Veterans’ Preference must specifically claim such eligibility in their cover letter, identify the basis for the claim, and include supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other supporting documentation) with their submission. Applicants who do not claim and do not provide adequate supporting documentation for Veterans’ Preference will not receive the positive factor consideration.
DoD attorney positions are in the excepted service, not the competitive civil service. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, DoD considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. If you are eligible for veterans’ preference in hiring, you are encouraged to include that information in your application along with the supporting documentation. Not all veterans are eligible for veterans’ preference. To find out if you are, you may visit the Department of Labor Veterans’ Preference Advisor at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/vetspref.htm or the Office of Personnel Management’s Feds Hire Vets site at https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .