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DODNH-4
Attorney Adviser (General)
Defense Health Agency
Falls Church, Virginia$143,913 – $197,200SecretOccasional travel - 25% or less
4 days remaining to applyOpen: August 26, 2026 — Close: September 4, 2026
What You'd Actually Do
About the position: Serves as an Attorney-Adviser (General) in the DHA Office of General Counsel. This position is located in Falls Church, Virginia. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Key Duties
- Provides legal advisory services across the range of clients in acquisition law and policy, contract financing, formation and administration, TRICARE and Research and Development Renders oral and written advice and opinions relative to the legal sufficiency of such documents and provisions Drafts special provision and policies for unusual contracting situations Serves as the lead attorney in charge of preparing and presenting litigation matters in administrative and judicial forums Prepares legal briefs and materials for agency cases Coordinates legal advise with other attorneys Performs professional legal research and analysis and renders written and oral opinions Serves as senior counsel for acquisition and program policy advising on acquisition, contract, and programmatic policy for DHA acquisition clients.
Qualifications
- Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on 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.
Benefits
Standard federal benefits including FEHB, FERS pension, TSP with matching, annual and sick leave.
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Quick Facts
AgencyDefense Health Agency
LocationFalls Church, Virginia
Pay GradeNH-4
Salary Range$143,913 – $197,200
Pay PlanNH
Hiring Path[object Object]
ClearanceSecret
TravelOccasional travel - 25% or less
RemoteNo
Categorylegal