Summary The FMC is the federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and the U.S. consumer. The FMC is dedicated to ensuring a competitive and dependable international ocean transportation system that supports the U.S. economy and safeguards the public from unfair or deceptive practices. Join the FMC and be part of a mission-driven organization during an important and exciting time in the maritime industry. Responsibilities The ideal candidate, in his/her capacity as Attorney-Advisor, serves as the Office of Managing Director's senior administrative and policy advisor on enterprise-wide management programs, integrating legal, operational, and strategic considerations to ensure effective delivery of administrative services and support to agency programs. The incumbent services as an Attorney-Advisor and reports directly to the Deputy Managing Director. In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Attorney-Advisor include: Provide legal, policy, and strategic advisory support to the Deputy Managing Director on agency-wide administrative management functions, including human capital, budget and financial management, information technology, procurement, and facilities operations. Provide authoritative analysis and guidance on the legal and administrative processes governing the development, implementation, and oversight of maritime programs, ensuring alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and Commission priorities. Lead the development, review, and execution of the Commission's budget justification, strategic plan and various other reporting initiatives, ensuring alignment with agency priorities, statutory authorities, and OMB guidance, and supporting informed decision-making by senior leadership. Provide legal analysis and guidance to support enterprise initiatives, including risk management, internal controls, and compliance programs. Engage and collaborate with senior leadership, program offices, industry stakeholders, and intergovernmental partners to address complex regulatory, administrative, and operational issues affecting agency mission execution. Represents the Deputy Managing Director in meetings, briefings, and conferences, as required. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. 2-year trial period may be required. 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 the FMC. Active bar membership and a certification that the member is in good standing is verified by a Human Resources Specialist in OHR prior to appointment. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service, see http://www.sss.gov/. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. This position is in the Excepted Service There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)" Qualifications For the GS-15: You must have earned a professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, be an active member of the BAR, and have at least four (4) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level. Professional legal education above the first professional law degree may be substituted for experience required as follows:(a) The second professional law degree (LL.M) may be substituted for one year of experience (b) The third law degree (J.S.D) may be substituted for one year of experience beyond the LL.M. 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. Applicants must possess excellent research and oral and written communication skills. Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Providing strategic and operational advice on policy development, regulatory implementation, and agency initiatives, including coordination of internal directives, procedures, and supporting documentation across HR, budget, procurement, acquisition, and IT functions. Experience supporting administrative proceedings and agency actions, including the preparation and review of memoranda, decision documents, and internal guidance. Experience applying maritime law and regulatory frameworks to support agency programs, policy implementation, and compliance activities. Education Please refer to the qualifications and required documents for applicable education requirements. 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. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information Relocation expenses will not be paid. If selected, 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. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, please refer to the agency contact information. 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. Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the EEOC 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. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) Federal employees are required to adhere to the 14 Principles of Ethical Conduct. 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.
