Description
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: Your Job: Serves as the sole non-US Legal Advisor to Exchange (AAFES) General Counsel, Exchange (AAFES) Command, Staff and Field Operators, covering all legal aspects and issues in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the broad spectrum of international agreements between the U.S. and foreign nations within the EUR Exchange (AAFES) AOR. Provides legal and policy guidance and support on difficult and complex legal matters involving diverse aspects of German, EU, and international law. Recommends legal action to ensure protection of Exchange (AAFES) interests and develops appropriate legal strategy. Manages the “indirect” litigation against the Federal Republic of Germany involving the Exchange (AAFES) in German courts. Incumbent works closely with Principal Management Officials and Human Resources advising on non-routine German labor law matters, including those involving the Works Council and representing the Exchange (AAFES) in German labor court cases. Reviews Exchange (AAFES) instructions and other command policy guidance in the LN personnel administration for compliance with pertinent provisions of German law. Incumbent analyzes legal decisions, opinions, rulings, and relevant legal principles of law related to the Exchange (AAFES) in the FRG.
Participates in Sending State Forces meeting and conferences, ensuring that the Exchange (AAFES) position is represented on issues relative to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the German Supplementary Agreement (SA). Participates in German attorney meetings hosted by USAREUR, USAFE, USEUCOM and German Ministry of Finance to maintain currency as to German law issues being handled by the various Services throughout the FRG. Must be attuned to legal developments in the host nation as they affect Exchange (AAFES) operations and activities in Germany.
The incumbent translates and advises on the substance of official notices, correspondence, pleadings, court decisions, legislation, administrative regulations, and other written material from German to English and vice versa.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant must have successfully completed both state exams in law at a German university.
Applicant should be specialized in German labor and international law. Thorough knowledge of contract law, commercial law, public law, private law, tax law, customs law, criminal law is required.
Applicant must have minimum 3 years of working experience as an attorney.
Creditable experience of 3 years must have been gained at one level below.
Extensive and comprehensive experience with international law, and an understanding of the structures, roles and responsibilities of the U.S. DoD and German government agencies is required. Knowledge of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the German Supplementary Agreement (SA) are highly desired.
Incumbent should be generally familiar with the U.S. military organization, its procedures and terminology.
Position requires direct interaction with U.S. and host nation agencies and civilian/military officials. Performance of duties require outstanding professionalism, diplomacy, ingenuity, tactfulness, and initiative. Incumbent is expected to execute at an exceptional level of discretion and independence.
Position involves travel; driver’s license Class B is required. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: Position requires the highest degree of fluency in written and oral English and German language, to include areas of a difficult and specialized nature.
