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 (akin to antitrust merger review), and represents the agency in federal district and circuit courts. 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: Prepare rulemakings to implement statutory provisions, including provisions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. Practice before federal district and circuit 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 Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. A 2-year trial period may be required. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. Must have an Active BAR Membership in Good Standing. If selected, must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with FMC. 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. This position is in the Excepted Service. 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. 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 three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. 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 four (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 five (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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Applicants must have a professional law degree (LLB or JD) from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). 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. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov. Attorney's appointed in the excepted service are required to maintain active membership in a bar within U.S. jurisdiction, 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. Attorneys must provide documentation supporting active membership and good standing status (or equivalent) on at least an annual basis. Additional Information Relocation expenses will not be paid. You will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across FMC. 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. 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. 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 Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the FMC considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their application submission documentation. All employees of the Federal government are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations including the Standards of Ethical Conduct that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. This position may require the incumbent to complete a confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment.
