About the Position: Selects and accomplishes procedures and methods of preparation and trial of cases consults on more unique or complex cases with the managing counsel regarding the Government's positions, strategies, and arguments.
Summary
About the Position: Selects and accomplishes procedures and methods of preparation and trial of cases consults on more unique or complex cases with the managing counsel regarding the Government's positions, strategies, and arguments.
Preparation or review of extremely complex legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on complex litigation relating to state and federal laws and regulations.
Work is characterized by difficult legal or factual questions involved because of the absence of clearly applicable precedents or it is highly arguable which precedents.
Preparation of legal briefs and demurrers, motions and written arguments; direct examination and cross-examination of witnesses and summations on completion of evidence.
Represents the Command to which assigned in meetings, negotiations, conferences, presentations, hearings, administrative litigation, or other forums.
Renders legal advice and assistance (either oral or in writing as required) to all elements of the Command.
Assumes full responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the Government's case in adversarial proceedings, the majority of which are Type III cases, the most complex type.
Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
This position requires a financial disclosure OGE-450 and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R.
Two-year trial period may be required.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and education requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Education Requirement for Trial Attorney, GS-0905-14:
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 (L.L.B or JD). Only a law degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the American Bar Association is acceptable to meet positive education requirements. You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualifications determination and you may be found "not qualified."
In addition to meeting the education basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Experience: Three or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. This experience was acquired after being admitted to the bar.
Examples of this experience are: (1) examining all correspondence, contracts and other pertinent documentary evidence as well as reviewing all applicable laws, regulations and directives, (2) preparing legal opinions and all written pleadings including answers, motions, briefs and such other legal papers as are required in each case, (3) securing, interviewing, arranging for and taking depositions of parties and witnesses, (4) initiating and responding to other discovery procedures, including preparation of interrogatories, (5) coordinating and arranging for hearing dates with the hearing authorities and opposing counsel, and providing for the presence of all government witnesses at such hearings, (6) planning and developing trial techniques, tactics, legal theories and procedures to be used in trial of each assigned case, (7) examining and cross-examining witnesses and introducing evidence during the course of adversary proceedings.
Must be a current member in good standing of a bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Time in Grade Requirement: If currently employed as an attorney by the federal government you must have completed one year of time-in-grade 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.
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/
Additional information
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
This is a Career Field (CF) 56 - Legal position.
Situational telework may be available according to agency policy.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.
Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.
Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Basis for Rating: If eligible and meeting basic qualifications, your application package will be evaluated in conjunction with your résumé and supporting documents for the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position:1. Knowledge and experience with federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in research, analysis, and effectively advising regarding contract and/or construction law, with more weight given to federal government contract law experience.2. Ability to analyze problems, documents and proposed courses of action; identify any client objectives and legal issues involved; research and interpret pertinent laws, regulations, and precedents; and formulate well-researched and well-reasoned advice that is responsive to client needs.3. Ability to balance multiple national (external) and agency (internal) program goals and priorities; ability to review program implementation and results; ability to balance customer programs with legal goals and priorities; and ability to develop and utilize innovative approaches in solving problems and issues.4. Ability to organize work effectively to meet established deadlines and priorities.5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics.
Please provide a writing sample, demonstrating your verbal communication and legal analysis skills through legal briefs, memoranda, or letters. WRITING SAMPLES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 10 PAGES.
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 (for example, DD Form 214, "Certificate of Uniformed Service") 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. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with a list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/sf/."
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
3. In addition to the above documentation, you must also provide the following: If you are a current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attorney, you MUST submit the following documents:
Your latest non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50);
Most recent Performance Appraisal
4. If you are NOT a current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attorney, you MUST submit the following documents:
Copy of law school transcripts AND an official statement of relative standing in your class, or official statement demonstrating the unavailability of class standing information (official copies will be required if selected and before placement);
Certificate issued by the Bar Registrar or similar official showing that you are a member in good standing with the Bar, dated NO MORE THAN 3 months before the opening date of this announcement (a copy is sufficient for the application, but a certified copy may be necessary upon selection);
A sworn statement, certifying that your fitness to practice law or your conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction.This statement MUST be notarized, on a date NO MORE THAN 3 months before the opening date of this announcement. As an alternative, a declaration under penalty of perjury may be submitted in the following format: "I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct... Executed on (date) (signature of applicant)." If your fitness to practice law or your conduct as an Attorney has been challenged in any jurisdiction, you must provide a notarized statement concerning the facts and circumstances, and any other explanation that you deem appropriate;
The names of three professional references who are each members of the Bar of a State or Territory; and
A writing sample NOTE: Writing samples shall not exceed 10 pages
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/24/2026 to receive consideration
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12902010).
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
RH-W07105 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-KANSAS CITY
DO NOT MAIL
Kansas City, MO 64106
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
3. In addition to the above documentation, you must also provide the following: If you are a current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attorney, you MUST submit the following documents:
Your latest non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50);
Most recent Performance Appraisal
4. If you are NOT a current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attorney, you MUST submit the following documents:
Copy of law school transcripts AND an official statement of relative standing in your class, or official statement demonstrating the unavailability of class standing information (official copies will be required if selected and before placement);
Certificate issued by the Bar Registrar or similar official showing that you are a member in good standing with the Bar, dated NO MORE THAN 3 months before the opening date of this announcement (a copy is sufficient for the application, but a certified copy may be necessary upon selection);
A sworn statement, certifying that your fitness to practice law or your conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction.This statement MUST be notarized, on a date NO MORE THAN 3 months before the opening date of this announcement. As an alternative, a declaration under penalty of perjury may be submitted in the following format: "I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct... Executed on (date) (signature of applicant)." If your fitness to practice law or your conduct as an Attorney has been challenged in any jurisdiction, you must provide a notarized statement concerning the facts and circumstances, and any other explanation that you deem appropriate;
The names of three professional references who are each members of the Bar of a State or Territory; and
A writing sample NOTE: Writing samples shall not exceed 10 pages
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/24/2026 to receive consideration
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12902010).
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
RH-W07105 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-KANSAS CITY
DO NOT MAIL
Kansas City, MO 64106
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
