Summary The Office of Support Operations (OSO) -Office of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Services is seeking an Attorney Adviser (FOIA Attorney-Adviser). As a FOIA Attorney-Adviser, you will join the Office of FOIA Services in receiving and responding to requests for nonpublic records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA, 5 USC 552) and the Privacy Act (5 USC 552a). Responsibilities In this role as a FOIA Attorney, you will be responsible for: Working on a team of FOIA professionals under a Branch Chief, researching the interpretations of statutes and rules, developing arguments addressing highly complex legal and factual issues, reviewing and redacting voluminous and complex sets of records, drafting correspondence, and responding to FOIA and Privacy Act requests. Performing analyses on the interpretation and application of the FOIA's statutory provisions as well as related laws and regulations, court rulings, precedents, and legislation changes that impact the SEC's FOIA program and operations. Providing authoritative advice on FOIA policy and legal issues confronting the SEC which are highly sensitive and confidential and may cut across organizational lines. Preparing thorough and innovative written legal analyses, arguments, briefs, or other analytical documents addressing the development, interpretation, or implementation of sensitive public policies and transparency principles. Representing the agency in meetings, conferences, and negotiations with representatives of other federal agencies, counsel representing the industry, and academic and industry legal experts. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following: J.D. or LL.B. degree --AND-- Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement. SK-14: Applicant must have three (3) years of post J.D. work experience identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as memoranda, correspondence, and orders, which also includes at least two (2) years of experience: Developing and providing briefings and training programs on FOIA statutory, regulatory and policy requirements, interpreting historical and current FOIA judicial decisions and precedents; AND Providing legal advisory services on questions of law for a federal agency and/or private sector firm focused on all aspects of FOIA administration. ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information: Critical Thinking - Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case. Teamwork and Collaboration - Interacts with internal and external customers in a manner that advances SEC goals and objectives. Legal Analysis - Utilizes expert legal knowledge to apply relevant law to the facts of each case. Workload Management (core) - Effectively prioritizes workload in a way that accommodates unforeseen developments and achieves successful outcomes. Education You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Internal Applicants: OHR will verify education qualifications for internal applicants using documents in the Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). If required transcripts or certificates are not present in your eOPF, you will be required to provide them to OHR. If selected, a start date will not be established until official transcripts are received. 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. For more information, click here. Applicants may also find the following helpful: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice. Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics. Additional Information Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement and may be filled from any division or office within the agency. SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range. The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please click here for a compensation overview. Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, click here. Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the SEC application process due to a medical disability, please contact reasonableaccommodation@sec.gov. For religious-based accommodations, please contact religiousaccommodation@sec.gov . Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: For more information, please click here. The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Legal and Policy Office in the Office of Human Resources at ElliottT@sec.gov.
