Summary The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies through the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings! This Attorney-Adviser (Public Utilities) position is located in the Office of General Counsel(OGC). For more information visit: Office of the General Counsel (OGC) Responsibilities This Attorney Adviser position is located in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Energy Markets section. The Energy Markets section is seeking mid- or higher-level attorneys with electric utility or pipeline regulatory experience who will be able to advise on complex issues relating to the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, and other relevant statues. Such issues include cost-of-service, rate design, wholesale energy markets design, and terms and condition of service. As a Attorney-Adviser (Public Utilities), some of your typical work assignments may include: Drafting orders, opinions, regulations, memoranda, or other documents related to Commission jurisdictional matters affecting the electric utility, natural gas, and oil pipeline industries. Evaluating facts, legal pleadings and briefs, data or other relevant materials, marshaling evidence and arguments to support conclusions and identifying and recommending appropriate resolution of questions of law and policy. Working collaboratively with cross-departmental teams that may include attorneys, analysts, engineers, other subject-matter experts, or external stakeholders Providing advice to senior staff members and senior officials within the Commission. Performing legal research and analysis of legal decisions, opinions, rulings, and other documents. Applying the provisions of statutes such as the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, Natural Gas Policy Act, Interstate Commerce Act, Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, Public Utility Holding Company Act, and Administrative Procedure Act. Applying applicable regulations, precedents, and policies governing matters relating to the Commission's jurisdiction and proceedings and working with other program offices within the agency. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university. Current, active bar membership required. A two-year trial period may be required. This is a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421). Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service. This position has an education requirement you must submit transcripts. If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities. A background investigation is required. Maximum of 2 page resume. You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications You must meet the following basic requirements, by the closing date of this announcement: (1) hold a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited college or university and (2) be a current, active bar member in good standing. In addition to the minimum requirements above, you must meet the following qualifications for each grade level by the closing date of this announcement: At the GS-12: At least one year of professional specialized legal experience post bar admission. The GS-12 salary range is $102,415 through $133,142 per annum. At the GS-13: At least two years of professional specialized legal experience post bar admission. The GS-13 salary range is $121,785 through $158,322 per annum. At the GS-14: Three years of professional specialized legal experience post bar admission. The GS-14 salary range is $143,913 through $187,093 per annum. At the GS-15: Four years of professional specialized legal experience post bar admission. The GS-15 salary range is $169,279 through $197,200 per annum. Specialized experience is defined as: applies relevant experience and professional knowledge to case assignments that contain difficult legal or factual questions; knowledge of relevant statues, regulations and policies pertaining to the agency; independently manages caseload and completes activities within schedules with limited supervision. 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 any volunteer experience. Please do not cut and paste the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Education This position has a basic education requirement listed under the "Qualifications" section of this announcement. Additional Information Our employees ranked FERC as a top 5 mid-size agency in Effective Leadership according to the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places to Work in the Federal Government! In addition, FERC was also ranked #1 in Work-Life Balance and we are proud to offer telework and workplace flexibilities in accordance with agency policy. The duty location of this position is Washington, DC. Agency employees are eligible for telework and other workplace flexibilities. Telework days and waiting periods for eligibility are determined when an employee enters on duty. When promotion potential is shown, future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. If selected for this position, you will be required to: Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for Federal employment. Have your Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify. Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC's supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of at least some energy securities is likely to be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment. Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
