Summary The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of the General Counsel, is seeking full-time attorneys to join the Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCC-IC). This Attorney-Advisor position provides legal support to the International Trade Administration on international trade and investment issues. Responsibilities As an Attorney Advisor in OCC-IC, you will, among other things: Serve as a legal advisor to ITA concerning the interpretation and application of U.S. and international law and international trade and investment agreements. Support ITA in working with other U.S. Government agencies on trade and investment policy, trade negotiations, monitoring compliance by foreign trading partners, and trade compliance and enforcement actions. Advise on matters relating to export and inward investment promotion programs and activities. Analyze U.S. law, U.S. trade and investment agreements, and foreign trade agreements, laws, regulations, and policies. Coordinate with legal offices in other parts of DOC and in other U.S. Government agencies. Perform duties on a range of legal issues that will vary in legal and factual complexity, often of a novel nature, and with limited if any applicable precedents. With supervision, conduct research, develop legal strategies, and develop and present recommendations to policy officials. Work on matters that can have an important impact on U.S. industry and the U.S. economy. Thoroughly and thoughtfully research and develop legal options in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Attorney Advisor (Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-12/13/14, FPL GS-15 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen. You must be suitable for Federal Employment. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs. You will be required to access national security information and you must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance. (For more information, please see https://www.commerce.gov/osy/programs/personnel-security/background-investigationrequests). A two-year trial period is required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/) If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Drug Test Required: Yes, Applicants are required to undergo drug testing prior to selection. (For more information, please see: https://www.commerce.gov/hr/employees/drug-free-workplace). Bargaining Unit Position: No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes. You will be required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure on an annual basis (For more information, please see: https://www.oge.gov/Web/oge.nsf/Resources/OGE+Form+450). Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Qualifications Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ 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. To be considered for this position, applicants must have a demonstrated interest in international economic or commercial matters and a minimum of one year of specialized professional legal experience interpreting and advising on U.S. and international law or one year of specialized professional experience, ideally in the area of U.S. international trade, commercial, and investment policy. For purposes of this position, specialized professional legal experience may consist of paid or unpaid experience post bar-admission, including Federal or State Government experience, law firm or legal practice, judicial clerkship, and/or unpaid or volunteer legal work. Specialized legal experience is preferred. We are seeking a candidate with the following additional qualifications: strong research, editing, and writing skills; effective analytical and reasoning skills with respect to identification and recommended minimization of legal risk; professional communication skills needed to successfully engage with peers, colleagues, supervisors, and clients; ability to handle and be responsible for a variety of assignments with short, time-critical deadlines; and interpersonal communication skills suitable for successfully working on a team on projects that require legal analysis. We are also seeking a candidate with familiarity or experience with Government work, or other demonstrated interest in public service, and a demonstrated ability to meaningfully contribute to OCC-IC's workplace culture. Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet these qualifications. Education and Active Bar Membership Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or Master of Laws (L.L.M.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package. In addition, applicants must have an active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. AND For the GS-12 level have a minimum of one year of specialized professional or legal experience. For the GS-13 level have a minimum of two years of specialized experience, one year of which must be specialized legal experience. For the GS-14 level have a minimum of five years of specialized experience, three years of which must be specialized legal experience. Education See Qualifications Above. Additional Information OCC-IC attorneys work on a wide range of legal topics in support of ITA's work, including: Developing and Implementing the Administration's Trade Agenda: Providing advice on the negotiation and implementation of bilateral and regional trade deals and on implementation of tariff regimes to achieve reciprocal trade and protect the national security. Negotiating and Implementing Cross-Border Data Arrangements: Working with ITA and other agencies in developing, negotiating, and implementing international arrangements that allow for the free flow of data while maintaining high standards of privacy protection. Protecting the National Security and Fostering Foreign Investment: ITA seeks to promote foreign investment that creates American jobs and grows the U.S. economy while also restricting foreign investment that might endanger U.S. national security, and OCC-IC supports both activities. We also work with ITA in implementing new restrictions on U.S. investment in countries of concern. Bringing Down Trade Barriers: Advising ITA on addressing barriers to U.S. exports and foreign investment. We work with ITA to determine the nature of the barrier, the applicable international legal requirements, and the legal and policy tools available to address the barrier. Promoting U.S. Exports: Providing legal support to ITA in promoting U.S. exports through trade missions and other activities. OCC-IC is strongly interested in candidates with specialized expertise in customs, tariffs, intellectual property, and/or international tax, but such experience is not required. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply. OCC-IC is strongly committed to its mission, public service, and collegiality. OCC-IC attorneys are known for their creativity, dedication, and track record of providing high-quality legal service and counsel. For more information about the Office of Chief Counsel for International Commerce, please visit https://www.commerce.gov/ogc/about-ogc/offices/office-chief-counsel-international-commerceocc-ic. 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.
