About the opportunity
The Office of General Counsel at the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) provides a full range of legal services to support the agency’s mission. The Attorney-Advisor (Labor) serves as an Assistant General Counsel for Personnel Law, reporting to the Deputy General Counsel for Personnel Law. The incumbent provides legal advice and representation in areas including federal employment law, employee appointment, classification, compensation, benefits, conduct, performance, termination, labor management relations, whistleblower protection, and equal employment opportunity. Responsibilities include performing in-depth legal research, writing briefs, and representing the agency before administrative bodies such as the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Salary and benefits
- Salary range: $131,385 – $170,806 per year
- Federal employee benefits package
- Recruitment/relocation incentives may be authorized
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) may be authorized
Who can apply?
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law and hold a first professional law degree (LLB or JD)
- Must be an active member of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia
- Must have more than 3 years of professional legal experience commensurate with the position's duties
- Must be able to obtain and maintain required security clearances and pass drug testing
Required documents
- Resume (maximum 2 pages)
- Cover letter
- Writing sample (legal brief, memorandum, or letter, 5 pages or less)
- Law school transcript with class standing (if obtainable)
- Certificate of active bar membership
- Statement regarding fitness to practice law
- For current Federal employees: most recent performance appraisal and most recent non-award SF-50 or DD3434
- For veterans: DD Form 214 and SF 15 (if claiming 10-point preference)
When to apply
- Application deadline: 2026-09-21 at 11:59 PM EST
How to apply
- Prepare a 2-page resume and cover letter
- Email application materials to the DoW OGC Resume Bank at osd.pentagon.ogc.mbx.dodogcresumebank@mail.mil
- Send a copy of the application to deca.lee.hq.mbx.general-counsel@mail.mil
- Ensure the email subject line states: 'Resume File [APPLICANT'S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME], Office of General Counsel, Defense Commissary Agency'
Additional information
- This position is in the Excepted Service
- Occasional business travel (less than 20%) is required
- The agency is a drug-free federal workplace
- Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of War civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Attorneys with over three years of professional experience in federal labor and employment law.
- Legal professionals skilled in representing agencies before administrative bodies like the MSPB or EEOC.
- Candidates with strong research and writing abilities, particularly in personnel law and whistleblower protection.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role requires maintaining an active bar membership and the ability to obtain security clearances.
- Applicants must adhere to specific restrictions regarding retired military service members and federal employment.
- Occasional business travel is required, though it is limited to less than 20% of the time.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position offers a high-level legal career path within the Department of Defense, allowing for deep specialization in personnel law. It is a strategic move for an attorney looking to influence agency policy and provide critical counsel in a federal environment.
Our take
A prime opportunity for experienced labor attorneys; those without the required bar membership or federal employment experience will not be eligible.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
