Department: Department of Defense
Agency: Defense Health Agency
Announcement: HQKF-26-13060039
Pay grade: GS 13-14
Closes: Sep 21, 2026
Open to: Open to the public

• Advises DHA command on civilian personnel law, labor relations and equal employment law issues
• Provides preventive law guidance by informing all management personnel of the impact of changes
• Prepares, researches and issues oral and written opinions on civilian personnel law, discrimination and labor relations matters
• Counsels DHA leaders and supervisors on informal resolution of grievances, providing guidance on EEO matters
• Represents agency as litigation attorney before Merit Systems Protection Board
• Conducts settlement negotiations on behalf of the agency

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
• Must be a graduate of a law school possessing the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a State or District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or a U.S. commonwealth.
• Business travel may be required up to 5% of the time.

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 labor relations counsel
• Skill in administrative hearings practice.
• 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 GS-13: Applicant must have two (2) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the Bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Experience Required for the GS-14: 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.