Government Contracts Attorney at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

Would you like to use your federal procurement law expertise to help create the next defining innovation? 

Are you a strategic and innovative thinker who can generate creative solutions to complex problems?

Are you looking for an opportunity to deepen your knowledge working on government contracts and ethics issues?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

Join our team of experienced professionals working together with astronautical scientists, artificial intelligence engineers, cryptologic mathematicians, and many other researchers to boldly support our nation on critical missions.

We are seeking a mid-level government contracts attorney who will also support our Ethics and Compliance (E&C) program as an Associate General Counsel position within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).  The position reports to OGC’s Deputy General Counsel for General Services.  You will work with a senior government contracts attorney providing advice and counsel across APL on issues involving the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and similar regulations and policies.  You will provide advice to APL’s contracts and subcontracts groups as well directly to our mission areas.  You will team with the Principal Ethics and Compliance Officer in supporting the E&C program. You will work on a wide range of complex issues, coordinating with OGC team members on legal analysis, identifying risks, and providing solutions to achieve business objectives. You will work with our intellectual property and export control teams to resolve contractual concerns.  If you like to work on complex and novel legal issues that help secure the country’s security, explore the cosmos, and promote global health, come work with us!

As an Associate General Counsel...

• Your primary responsibility will be to advise contracts/subcontracts organizations as well as APL Sectors, Departments, and Mission Areas on federal (FAR, DFARS, etc.) and state laws and regulations, government contracting policies, commercial contracts and purchase orders, contract cost accounting principles, requests for proposals, flow downs and contract clauses, grants, statements of work, non-disclosure agreements, memoranda of understanding and memoranda of agreement, and teaming arrangements.
• You will provide primary support on reviewing, mitigating, and resolving organizational conflicts of interest issues across the Lab.
• You will assist with some components of APL’s E&C program in a matrixed environment as it continues to advance novel approaches to compliance. These duties include, but are not limited to, supporting the E&C Office with legal analysis, personal conflict of interest analysis, and other duties as appropriate.
• You will provide legal advice to management on business issues integral to APL operations.
• You will support/lead the defense of APL with respect to handling of external investigations, administrative complaints, and litigation arising out of government contract-related matters. You will assist in responding to government investigations and queries as appropriate.
• You will represent APL to outside agencies/entities.
• You will provide focused training to both enterprise and programs/projects relative to contract-related matters.
• You will perform other duties as assigned. 

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, admission to practice and are in good standing in one or more U.S. jurisdictions, and a minimum of 3 years of legal experience in federal government contracts working in a government agency, corporation, university, or a law firm.
• Have substantive knowledge of federal (FAR, DFARS, etc.) government contracting policies and some experience related to government contractor ethics.
• Have experience reviewing, and providing legal advice on standard government contracting documents to include: requests for proposals, prime contracts, subcontracts, flow downs, contract clauses, grants, statements of work, non-disclosure agreements, MOUs/MOAs, and teaming agreements.
• Have experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to evaluate risks, and designing and implementing mitigation strategies or company-wide action plans.
• Have significant experience providing legal advice on organizational conflicts of interest and personal conflicts of interest especially as they pertain to government contracting.
• Have strong research, writing, and verbal communication skills; the ability to translate complex legal principles into practical business solutions; strong organizational skills; the ability to work independently and as a team player; the ability to work closely with a wide variety of staff of diverse backgrounds and levels; sound judgment; professional demeanor; good work ethic; and, business acumen.
• Are able to obtain an interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately be able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.  If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have knowledge of cybersecurity law as it specifically relates to government and contractor requirements.
• Have some experience with government contract cost accounting principles, or DCAA and DCMA audits.
• Have a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), a Leadership Professional in Ethics & Compliance (LPEC), or other recognized ethics and compliance-related certification.
• Have knowledge of intellectual property, international trade compliance and export control, and national security and intelligence-related law.
• Have prior experience working with the U.S. Department of Defense and its agencies, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), or member organizations of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
• Have knowledge of operations in the non-profit or university sector.
• Have an active Top Secret or higher level clearance.

Why work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

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APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.