Summary This position is located in the Office of The General Counsel, Copyright Office. Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The Assistant General Counsel position works in the Office of General Counsel of the Copyright Office. The incumbent serves as an expert on all legal and factual matters related to the administration of title 17 of the U.S. Code. Responsibilities The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers the Copyright Law, advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world's largest database of copyright public records; and provides information and reference services to the public. Serves as an expert on all legal and factual matters related to the administration of title 17 of the U.S. Code, including matters related to registration and recordation of claims but also emerging technological issues such as those involved in 17 U.S.C 1201, implicated by artificial intelligence, or other new subjects which have been added to title 17. Provides authoritative advice and assistance on all policy and legal issues in these areas. Evaluates the merits of complex laws, legislative proposals, regulations, and policies governing the administration of title 17. Provides professional legal advice and related services to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and the Register of Copyrights on matters concerning specified matters relating to the administration of title 17, including the implementation of procedures pursuant to the amendment of title 17. Prepares probing and innovative written legal analyses, and other analytical documents such as reports requested by Congress or memoranda on complex legal questions arising from the administration of title 17. Applies a comprehensive knowledge of a range of specialized areas of the law to the development, interpretation, and implementation of sensitive public policies with long-range national or international significance. Drafts the most complex regulations and policies dealing with the administration of title 17 and makes recommendations for revisions to existing procedures and policies based on changes in the law, developments in technology, developments in the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office and other decisions or developments that affect title 17. Conducts extensive legal research on highly intricate and exceedingly complex and novel questions of law and policy concerning all aspects of title 17. Performs analyses involving the interpretation and application of complex laws and regulations, or court rulings affecting the administration of title 17. Prepares complex proposals, responses to policy inquiries, letters, legal memoranda, litigation materials, and testimony. Analyzes complex proposals originating from other departments/agencies, including the Department of Justice, Congress, or the White House and responds to substantive or procedural questions concerning the operation of the title 17. Prepares written material on matters of potential significance to the courts, the Copyright Office, and the Library and on matters relating to pending reports, advisory committees, professional organizations, and other interested parties. Drafts reports and notices in the Federal Register soliciting responses on matters related to the administration of title 17. Analyzes Library operations, precedents, and current practices to recommend management's position on issues related to various legal areas. Represents the Copyright Office at professional, business, and bar association meetings and symposia. Acts as the legal counsel to the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel. Develops networks of key national and international individuals and organizations and communicates regularly to share and receive critical information. Serves as a principal liaison between the Library and other agencies or Congress on specific matters or areas related to the administration of title 17. Also serves as a liaison for the General Counsel's Office with other divisions of the Copyright Office and others. Performs other related duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 012595. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to Write/Communicate in Writing. Ability to Conduct Legal Research. Knowledge of Copyright Law. ** Knowledge of Administrative Law. Ability to Meet and Deal with Others. Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally Through Briefings, Consultations, and Other Presentations. Ability to Communicate Effectively Other Than in Writing. Education Applicants must possess an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Appointees must maintain active membership in good standing of the bar throughout their employment. Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law must be attached to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of the application. Official documents will be required if selected. Also, a copy of bar membership demonstrating that applicant is a member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico must be attached to your online application. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. Additional Information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the @type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
