Federal Education Association

Attorney

Based out of Washington, DC
(flexibility to perform travel to the Pacific Region – South Korea and Japan, including Okinawa)

 

The Federal Education Association (FEA) is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA). The FEA is the exclusive representative of educators employed by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in schools on DoD installations stateside and overseas, except in Puerto Rico and the Mediterranean Region. FEA bargaining unit members are all DoDEA educators and Federal employees.

The ideal candidate would be an experienced Federal sector labor attorney, though less experienced attorneys may apply and be considered based on background, to serve as a full-time Attorney for DoDEA educators employed in the Pacific Region (South Korea and Japan, including Okinawa). The role of this full time attorney is to provide advice, representation and guidance to bargaining unit educators on a diverse array of legal matters. This full-time attorney would also provide training, advice and guidance to FEA elected leadership. 

The caseload of this full-time attorney will primarily involve independently representing FEA in all stages of the grievance and arbitration process. The attorney will also provide advice and assistance in disciplinary/adverse actions and with individual grievances filed by bargaining unit employees, as well as possibly representing FEA members in administrative proceeding. The attorney will also represent the Association in grievance appeals or Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) filings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and potentially other forums. Work may also include discussions with DoDEA management and coordination with the FEA General Counsel.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school required.
• Experience in Federal sector labor law, including litigation/arbitration preferred.
• Substantive knowledge of, and practice in, the following areas of law preferred:
  • Experience in litigating grievance arbitrations
  • Federal Sector practice
    • Federal Labor Management Relations Statute- 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71
    • Federal Sector arbitration
    • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
    • Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)
    • Merit Service Protection Board (MSPB)
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills, including public speaking and brief writing.
• Ability to perform complex legal analytical work.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks concurrently.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadlines and pressure, managing litigation independently and with expertise.
• Demonstrate respect for bargaining unit members, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Flexibility to perform travel to the Pacific (Japan and Korea).
• Pay will be commensurate with experience.

To Apply:
Please forward a letter of interest in the FEA full-time attorney position, a résumé, citations to or copies of two arbitration decisions in which the applicant was the lead attorney, or two recent writing samples, to FEA Executive Director/ General Counsel Richard Tarr at FEALegal@nea.org or by regular mail to: 

Mr. Richard Tarr 
Executive Director/General Counsel 
Federal Education Association
1201 16th St., N.W., Suite 117 
Washington D.C. 20036

All applications must be postmarked/emailed by the close of business on November 13, 2025.