Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff logo

ATTORNEY ADVISORY (GENERAL)

Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Pentagon, Arlington, VAFull-time$144–187K/yrPosted 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$144–187K/yr
Location
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

State Bar Membership In Good Standing

Job overview

The Attorney-Advisor serves as statutory legal advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and provides legal and policy counsel to senior Joint Staff officials. The role focuses on civilian personnel and labor law, ethics and standards of conduct, administrative law, FOIA and Privacy Act matters, litigation support, and fiscal, acquisition, and contract law. The position is in the Excepted Service.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Civilian Personnel LawLabor LawGovernment EthicsAdministrative LawFreedom of Information ActPrivacy ActLegal ResearchLegal AnalysisEqual Employment OpportunityLitigation SupportFiscal LawAcquisition LawContract LawAppropriations Law

Qualifications

One Year Specialized ExperienceBachelor of Laws or Juris DoctorState Bar Membership in Good Standing

Full job description

Summary

This position is being filled under Schedule A Excepted Service (5 CFR 213.3102(d)) The Attorney-Advisor (general) is the statutory advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and provides a broad range of legal and policy advice and counsel to the CJCS, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director and Vice Director of the Joint Staff, the Directors and senior supervisory officials.

Duties

As a ATTORNEY ADVISORY (GENERAL) you will be responsible for the following duties: Providing full range of legal services, but focuses primarily on Civilian Personnel and Labor Law, Standards of Conduct and Government Ethics, and Administrative Law, including legal issues associated with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act. Providing legal services, advice, counsel, and representation in the fields of civilian personnel and labor law; equal employment opportunity; and standards of conduct and government ethics. Acting independently on the assigned range of legal issues, conducting required legal research independently and preparing legal analyses and opinions regarding assigned legal matters. Maintaining close liaison with legal counterparts within Department of Defense, Office of General Counsel; Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Office of the Legal Counsel; the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which provides human resources services and support to the JS; the combatant commands; subordinate joint organizations, including Chairman's Controlled Activities; the Military Departments; and other federal agencies. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) issues and requests, as well as protection Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Information Assurance (IA), and Information Technology (IT) systems use. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel concerning substantive and procedural Administrative Law, including command investigations, grievances, adverse actions, Inspector General Complaints, Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding, legislation and Congressional hearing support, and Foreign Liaison Officer Agreements. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel concerning litigation support including tracking and summarizing ongoing litigation, discovery support, review of pleadings, and drafting of witness declarations. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on the full range of ethics and standards of conduct issues referencing the Department of War Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) and applicable guidance from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to include acceptance of gifts; activities with non-federal entities; travel benefits; use of government vehicles and U.S. military aircraft (MILAIR); procurement integrity; political activities; Public Financial Disclosure Reports, post government employment, and conflicts of interest. Providing timely and effective legal analysis and advice concerning fiscal law to include acquisition and contract law issues, federal appropriations law, source and type of funding, limitations on fiscal authority, proper use of funds, performance of work statements, inter-service and intra-governmental support agreements, conference issues, contract administration, military operations, to include contingency operations, exercises and other activities. Qualifications

Qualification standards for attorney positions may be found in DoD Directive 1442.2, "Personnel Actions Involving Civilian Attorneys" at DoD Instruction 1442.02, September 30, 2010 (whs.mil). The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened for competencies needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES section of this announcement. The QUALITY of experience relates to how closely or to what extent your experience, education, and training are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the announced position. Your resume must show you have the competencies necessary to successfully perform the work of the position at the appropriate level. Salary will be set within the range specified in this vacancy announcement based on the complexity of work to be performed, the selectee's experience, education, training, and availability of funds. You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service: Providing timely and effective legal advice applying statutes, executive orders, directives, regulations, administrative rulings, and court decisions. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on U.S. law and regulations governing standards of conduct and government ethics, including the Department of War Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) and applicable guidance from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) . Providing timely and effective legal advice to senior officials (General and Flag Officers and Senior Executive Service personnel) and supervisors on filing and review of Public Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE 278s) and Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE 450s), as well as potential disqualification of employees for conflicts of interest, divestiture of personal financial interests, and other corrective actions. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on substantive administrative law to include a broad range of issues, including legislative reviews; use of Official Representation Funds (ORF); administrative investigations; support to private organizations; and non-appropriated fund instrumentalities. Providing timely and effective legal and policy advice to comptrollers, budget personnel, and acquisition program managers. Providing timely and effective legal advice, counsel, and recommendations regarding fiscal matters. Providing timely and effective legal advice and counsel on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) issues and requests, as well as protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Information Assurance (IA), and Information Technology (IT) systems use. Providing timely and effective legal advice on acquisition strategy, solicitation, source selection, and contract administration. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0905 series.https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0900/general-attorney-series-0905/ *NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo.pdf. You must be a graduate from an accredited law school, and be in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar AND possess a Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school at the time of applying for the position. This position is in the Excepted Service. Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status. Applicants must provide proof that they are licensed and a member in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Proof is a "certificate of good standing" issued by your state of licensure within 6 months of the date of application or a screenshot of your bar status taken from your state of licensure website dated within six (6) months. The successful applicant selected for employment must provide a "certificate of good standing" issued by their respective bar showing they are in good standing and in active status prior to appointment. To qualify, applicants must possess the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.).

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.abanet.org/legaled/approvedlawschools/approved.html You must be a graduate from an accredited law school, and be in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar. AND Possess a Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school at the time of applying for the position. A copy of college transcripts must be submitted with your application. NOTE: Failure to provide college transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. We will evaluate your application for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience meets the qualifications and other basic requirements are eligible for referral and selection consideration. Other Information

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d Veteran's 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 (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 www.opm.gov.) *NOTE: If you submit a resume but no questionnaire, you cannot be considered for the position. If you submit a questionnaire but no resume, you cannot be considered for the position. Your application will be appropriately documented and you will be removed from further competition against this announcement. *NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy. This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: https://www.sss.gov Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

How this job compares

Set against the 2,054 open Attorney jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 7, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$144–187K/yr
  • Virginia median$154–203K/yr30 salary ranges
  • US median$115–186K/yr1,346 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $166K, is 9% below the Virginia median midpoint ($183K) — in the lowest quarter of Attorney salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 38 open Attorney jobs in Virginia and 2,054 across the US. 6% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Attorney postings that state a minimum ask for (median 4 years, across 1,426 postings).
Education
1,266 of the 2,054 open Attorney jobs (62%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 7, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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