Department of Veterans Affairs
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
VA Central Office, Washington, DC 20420
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Announcement Number: |
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BCA04-03 |
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Position Title: |
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General Attorney (Contract) |
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Pay Plan, Series & Grade: |
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GS 0905 -15 |
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Promotion Potential: |
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None |
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Salary Range: |
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$98,023 - $127,434 |
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Number of vacancies: |
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1 |
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Opening Date: |
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03/04/2004 12:01:00 AM |
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Closing Date: |
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03/25/2004 04:30:00 PM |
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Location: |
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Board of Contract Appeals |
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Duty Location: |
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Washington, DC |
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Area of consideration: |
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All Sources |
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Point of contact: |
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Keesha Monk (202) 273-9705 |
New information has been added to vacancy announcements and you are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Procedures may have changed and your application may not get full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined.
What are the major duties and responsibilities of the position?
The incumbent serves as a General Attorney in Board of Contract Appeals. The incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
Serves as Dispute Resolution Counsel to the VA Dispute Resolution Specialist and prepares legal opinions and papers that subsequently may be used for the Department’s ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) program.
Provides technical and legal advice to senior VA officials, managers, and employees in resolving disputes.
Develops, analyzes and implements Department wide programs and policies relating to ADR.
The incumbent serves as a hearing examiner and duties include:
Conducting prehearing conferences and hearings and prepares recommended decisions for consideration by the deciding panel
Rules on non-dispositive motions, objections, and other interlocutory matters at hearings and is responsible for the orderly conduct of hearings.
Obtains agreements as to facts not in dispute and defines the issues on which evidence and arguments are needed.
The incumbent will also serve as the Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Board of Contract Appeals. As such the incumbent will perform the following duties:
Provide legal counsel to the Chairman with regard to the consideration and decision of appeals and/or Equal Access to Justice Act applications before the Board.
Insures that all necessary actions are taken between receipt and disposition of an appeal which the Chairman has assigned to himself/herself.
Prepares necessary correspondence, orders, and decisions on both procedural and substantive motions.
Prepares findings of fact, conclusions of law and final decisions for the Board.
Conducts conferences with the litigants involved in appeals to resolve procedural problems, narrow issue in appeals, and encourage settlement where appropriate and when directed by the Chairman.
Oversees the formulation and execution of the budget for the VA Board of Contract Appeals.
What qualifications are required?
Applicant must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state or the District of Columbia or any territorial court established under the Constitution.
For each grade level applicants must have the following
amount of specialized experience:
·
GS-15 level - one year equivalent to the GS-14
Specialized experience is experience related to the work to be performed and has equipped the applicant with the following:
Familiarity with laws, rules and regulations pertaining to federal employment such as civil rights and labor laws, judicial decisions, Executive Orders, and administrative and other related regulations that apply to the federal government and those that impact the Alternative Dispute Resolution process.
Thorough knowledge of VA, OPM and labor management policy regarding employment issues as well as thorough knowledge of EEO related concepts, principals and practices.
How is my application evaluated?
Any substitution of education for experience will be made using OPM guidelines. If you meet the minimum qualification requirements your application will be further evaluated to determine the extent your work or related experience, education, training, awards, outside activities and supervisory appraisal (if requested) shows you have the knowledges, skills and abilities (KSAs) of the position. KSA statements must show clear, concise examples of level of accomplishment and the degree to which you possess the KSA. If you paraphrase the KSA without giving examples, you will not receive credit. The information provided is used to determine “best qualified” candidates either by a single evaluator or a rating panel.
What do I need to know before I apply for this position?
In accordance with procedures in VA Handbook 5330, displaced or surplus VA employees in the local commuting area will receive special selection priority consideration if determined “well qualified” for this position. Well-qualified candidates must possess Thorough knowledge of VA, OPM and labor management policy regarding employment issues as well as thorough knowledge of EEO related concepts, principals and practices. Candidates should submit documentation of eligibility under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) to be offered special selection priority
Equal Employment Opportunity: Actions to fill this position will not be based on discriminatory factors that are prohibited by law. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to non-merit reasons (race, sex, national origin, age, religion, handicap or any other non-merit factor).
Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the specialist listed in the announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
What other information do I need to know?
This information is important to know before you apply for the position:
· All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
· A one-year trial period is required if you haven’t previously completed one.
· Non-VA employees may be subject to drug testing.
· This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.
· This
is a career (permanent) position with a full time tour of duty.
· Travel
may be required.
· Relocation
expenses are not authorized.
· Position
is at the full performance level.
· Salary
includes 13.43% locality pay adjustments for the Washington, DC – Baltimore, MD
area.
· More than one position may be filled from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the date of the issuance of the certificate.
How do I apply?
To apply for this position you must submit all required forms by 4:30 pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement.
· Postmarks are not acceptable.
· Application packages that are hand carried must be stamped in by the closing date and time.
· All applications and supplemental information must have your name and announcement number on each page.
The following forms are required to complete your application package:
An Optional Form (OF) 612, or Standard Form (SF) 171, Application for Federal Employment, resume containing data required by OF-612 or VA electronic resume format.
A copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
A copy of your most recent SF50, “Notification of Personnel Action” which shows your current title, series, grade, tenure and position occupied.
Optional Form 306
Proof of license and authorization to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state or the District of Columbia or any territorial court established under the Constitution.
Application forms are available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/index.htm
What are the rating factors?
The rating factors are the KSAs listed below. The rating factors package must be received by the closing date of the announcement. (See “How do I apply?”) Postmarks are not acceptable.
· Knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, 48 U.S.C 601-613 as they related to the Board’s jurisdiction. This includes knowledge of precedent decisions of the Department’s and other Federal agencies’ Board of Contract Appeals and United States courts.
Ability to accurately and effectively analyze, evaluate and resolve contract disputes and appeals.
Ability to participate effectively in and conduct hearings held pursuant to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, 48 U.S.C 601-613.
Knowledge of the laws, regulations and directives pertaining to the Department ‘s Alternative Dispute Resolution program.
Ability to comprehend and communicate effectively on the subject matter of ADR.
Ability to independently assess and carry out the tasks necessary to effectively promote and help advance the Department’s ADR program.
Where do I submit my application?
Applicants must submit complete application packages as described.
· US mail send to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Central Office
Central Office Human Resources (035C)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
· Courier service (FedEX, UPS, etc.) send to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Central Office Human Resources Service (035C)
Room 140/142
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
· Hand carry to:
VACO, Central Office Human Resources
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Room 140/142
If you slide your application package under the door of room 140/142 after 4:30pm on the closing date, your application is not on time and you will not receive consideration for the position. It is your responsibility to stamp the application to insure its receipt by 4:30 p.m on the closing date.
All questions relating to this position must be directed to the HR specialist whose name and phone number appears at the beginning of the announcement.