Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC), located in Alexandria, VA. Responsibilities The incumbent furnishes legal counsel and assistance in matters relating to contracts and procurements; lends assistance and guidance in reviewing the legal sufficiency of proposed legislation, regulations and instructions relating to contracts and procurement; as needed participates in representing the Government in protests, contract appeals cases presented by contractors under the "Disputes" clause of contracts; and assists Department of Justice attorneys in disposition of claims matters arising out of Coast Guard contracts. Being a CG civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team. Typical work assignments at full performance/grade level include: Provide legal counsel, guidance, and assistance to contracting officers, contract administrators, and other cognizant officers furnishing opinions with respect to the legal aspects of the procurement process from initiation of the procurement action, award, and administration of contracts, to completion or termination thereof. Recommend directives relating to contracts and procurement and reviews proposed Coast Guard procurement guidance and directives and those circulated for review by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), General Services Administration, and other agencies; and assists in representing the Coast Guard on contract and procurement matters with other government agencies, and in litigation before the Comptroller General, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, Contract Adjustment Board, and the Small Business Administration. Prepare litigation reports for, and otherwise assists, the Department of Justice trial attorneys in preparing the government's defense in litigation in the Court of Federal Claims or District Courts involving Coast Guard contract claim matters. Provide support for nonrecurring special project assignments that relate to various functions and activities of the Coast Guard’s Acquisition Program for which there are no established guidelines. Recommends settlements in whole or in part to the Contracting Officer; and participates in negotiation and preparation of settlement agreements with contractors. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. This position requires membership in the State Bar. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. This position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI). Telework is in accordance with agency policy and supervisor's approval. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifications Basic Requirement for all grade levels: 1. You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; AND 2. You must have bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico or the US. Virgin Islands. Minimum Requirements: The minimum qualifications are as follows: GS-14: Applicants at the GS-14 level should have at least three years of professional legal experience in contracting and procurement. Examples of this experience includes: preparing bid protests reports, evaluation of contractor claims, equitable adjustments, protests, disputes, terminations, contract interpretation, contract modifications, fiscal considerations, contract types, and similar matters. Applicants at the GS-14 level should also demonstrate the ability to work independently with lower levels of supervision. The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Note: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Education This position does have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail. All Candidates must possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from an accredited law school. Law school official transcripts must be submitted before an offer is extended. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here. Additional Information Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here Recruitment incentives may be authorized. If selection is made below the full performance level, you may be promoted up to the target grade without further competition, if all legal and regulatory requirements are met and when recommended by the supervisor. However, promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed and is dependent on successful performance at the lower grade level(s). All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-795-6328. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation