Summary This position serves as an Attorney-Advisor (GS-0905) in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides legal services to the Commission under the Shipping Act and related statutes, including the agency's competition oversight role, and represents the agency in federal court. Responsibilities The duties of an Attorney-Advisor cover a broad legal practice including both the shipping statutes and general administrative law. The major duties of this position are: Provide advice on rulemaking and prepare rulemaking notices and documents. Practice before federal courts and administrative agencies, including writing and reviewing briefs and presenting oral arguments. Provide advice and recommendations to the Commission on legal and policy matters, including review of antitrust-exempt agreements. Provide advice and draft decisions in adjudications before the Commission. Provide technical and policy assistance to other government agencies engaged in bilateral and multilateral international negotiations or discussions on shipping matters. Draft opinions on the legal implications of the Freedom of Information Act, Government in the Sunshine Act, fiscal and appropriations law, procurement law, and other general law issues, such as personnel issues, as needed. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Trial Period: A 2-year trial period may be required. Background Suitability Investigation: Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability or security clearance. Please note: If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/ Required to participate in the Direct Deposit program. May be required to obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel. May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Qualifications In addition to the above minimum requirements, you must meet the following: GS-12: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship. GS-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship. GS-14: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (4) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (5) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. Specialized experience is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include experience working on complex rulemaking or policy proceedings; reviewing and editing policy statements, position papers, and other decisional documents; conducting appellate litigation; and providing legal guidance to attorneys and other professionals. Specialized experience can also include experience in civil and administrative litigation in courtroom or agency adjudication settings, including researching and writing briefs, reviewing and editing orders, discovery and trial practice. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.It is your responsibility to ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year (MM/YYYY), and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position. Qualifications for the GS-12 and above: In addition to meeting the education requirements, applicants applying for the one or more of these grade level(s) must possess professional law experience and specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, outlined under the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section. Education Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. Minimum educational requirements include a professional law degree (LLB or J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school. NOTE: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. An ABA-approved law school may allow students to receive credit for law study or activities at a foreign institution and grant credit for the J.D. degree if those studies or activities are approved in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Criteria adopted by the ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Current active membership in a bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Active bar association and a certificate that the member is in good standing will be verified prior to appointment and employees must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with the FMC. Additional Information The Commission encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the FMC mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. This is appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period, unless already completed. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service. This position may be filled at the GS-12, GS-13, GS-14 or GS-15 grade levels. If selection is made at the GS-12, GS-13 or GS-14 level, promotion to the next higher levels may occur without further competition. The agency may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Federal employees are required to adhere to the 14 Principles of Ethical Conduct. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Reasonable accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis
