Summary
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking one or more attorney advisors to join its Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). OCC serves as legal counsel for NTIA, providing legal advice and guidance for all matters that arise in support of NTIA's missions.
These OCC attorney advisors provide legal support for NTIA's efforts to close the digital divide, manage federal spectrum resources, and build a better internet.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.
Duties
These are new positions to support NTIA's mission.
The legal matters and issues involved in this work are characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex and difficult legal or factual issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; (2) matters that can have the effect of substantially broadening or restricting the activities of an agency or have an important impact on a major industry whose economic position affects the health and stability of the general economy; or (3) the matter involves, directly or indirectly, providing counsel on the implementation of sizable grant programs to meet legal requirements and ensure program integrity. (4) OCC responsibilities also include legal support for NTIA's efforts to connect everyone in America to high-speed, reliable, and affordable Internet service.
This position requires a knowledge of telecommunications and information law and policy. This includes knowledge and/or experience related to the broadband grant programs NTIA is administering under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or similar programs involving broadband access or adoption.
The attorney(s) will be hired at the GS-12 through GS-15 grade levels, depending on experience. The promotion potential for this position is GS-15 level.
GS-12 Level:
Performs very specific legal functions relative to extremely complex cases, normally as part of a team, such as researching various issues related to the case or legal problem and drafting the team position for that issue or taking deposition on very specific subject matter related to the case.
GS-13 Level:
Performs a variety of legal duties relative to cases or legal issues of extreme difficulty as characterized by one or more of the traits described above in I. Incumbent usually works as part of a team addressing a broad legal issue. Typically, the incumbent would be conducting legal research, determining what facts or legal issues are relevant, and determining, in conjunction with their supervisor, the legal conclusion based upon the fact and relevant legal authorities. Where the incumbent is reviewing applications for specific governmental approval in I. above, the incumbent will not have final approval on all applications reviewed. Has subject matter expertise in telecommunications and information law and policy. In adversarial proceedings, the incumbent may present portions of the agency's position, but would be working under the guidance of a supervisor or higher graded attorney.
GS-14 Level:
Performs a variety of legal duties relative to cases or legal issues of extreme difficulty as characterized by one or more of the traits described above in I. The incumbent may act as the primary legal counsel to a significant operating program or in adversarial proceedings where legal questions posed are of an extremely complex nature. Where the incumbent is reviewing applications for specific governmental approval or protection, the types of applications reviewed will have one or more of the characteristics outlined in I. above. The incumbent will have the final approval authority relative to the application and will normally review and approve the work of lower graded attorneys. Has in-depth subject matter expertise in telecommunications and information law and policy. Has extensive telecommunications and information law and policy experience.
GS-15 Level:
As the lead attorney on a particular case or legal issue characterized by one or more of the traits described in I above or counsel to a major operating program posing complex legal questions, the incumbent is responsible for the analysis of the legal issue in question, the development of the strategy to deal with the legal issue, and the content and means of delivery of the completed analysis of the legal issue. At this level, the incumbent typically deals with the top management of their agency as well as the top management and/or attorneys of other private and public organizations. Has in-depth subject matter expertise in telecommunications and information law and policy. Has extensive telecommunications and information law and policy experience.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Attorney Advisor (Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-12/13/14/15 FPL:15 positions within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- 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.
- A probationary period may be 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: No
- License required: J.D. Degree and Bar membership
- Pre-employment physical required: No
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
- Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes
- Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid
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/
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
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.
Basic requirement for all grade levels:
- You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; AND
- You must have bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.
Minimum Requirements:
The career ladder for attorney positions in OGC is generally GS-12 to GS-15. The minimum qualifications for hiring at each grade level (or equivalent) are as follows:
GS-12: J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (The requirement that an applicant possess a J.D. may be waived if his or her bar membership is in a state that allows individuals to "read for the law" rather than pursue a formal academic degree). 1 year of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal).This may include: a superior academic record; specific course work or an internship in the relevant legal area; another graduate or doctoral degree.
GS-13: Two years of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal). Relevant non-legal professional experience could include, for example: experience as an International Program Specialist with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) when applying for a CLDP attorney position; or experience as an Employee Relations Specialist when applying for an Employment Law position. Likewise, experience in a non-attorney position within the Department, with resulting insight into the client's mission could warrant a higher grade, as could non-legal experience in regulated industry. When relying on non-legal professional experience, hiring managers must articulate in writing how the cited experience enhances the applicant's skills to warrant the higher grade.
GS-14: Typically requires a minimum of three years of relevant legal experience. On the rare occasion, two years of relevant legal experience may, in the opinion of the General Counsel or his or her designee, suffice.
GS-15: Typically requires a minimum of four years of relevant legal experience. On the rare occasion, three years of relevant legal experience may, in the opinion of the General Counsel or his or her designee, suffice.
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.
Specialized Experience Requirements:
Applicants must meet the General Professional Experience requirements set forth above and the specialized experience below by the closing date of the announcement. Specialized experience equips applicants with knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience includes knowledge of telecommunications and information law and policy. This includes knowledge and/or experience related to the broadband grant programs NTIA is administering under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and similar broadband grant programs. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop legal opinions whether through the litigation process or administratively, which may alter the state of the law in the area or expand the charter of the agency concerning critical issues related to telecommunications and information law and policy. Applicants must demonstration a record of oral and written expression sufficient to pursue the particular legal issue against opposition which vigorously contests the agency position and is highly sophisticated and talented usually involving top attorneys in both the private and public sector. (See above to for specific desired experience for each grade level).
Applicants may be hired at any of the grades shown in this announcement, commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications. You are encouraged to identify the grade level(s) or salary for which you wish to be considered.
Education
Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school. Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package.
See Qualifications Above.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be rated based on their education, experience, demonstrated legal research and writing abilities, and performance during the interview process. Basis for evaluation: If eligible and meeting basic qualifications, your application package will be evaluated in conjunction with your résumé and supporting documents for the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position:
- Knowledge at the expert level of the controlling statutes, regulations, and case law pertaining to the subject matter of the particular issue sufficient to develop legal opinions whether through the litigation process or administratively, which may alter the state of the law in the particular area or expand the charter of the agency.
- Skill in oral and written expression sufficient to pursue the particular legal issue against opposition which vigorously contests the agency position and is highly sophisticated and talented usually involving top attorneys in both the private and public sector.
Please be advised that Department of Commerce Attorney positions are in the Excepted Service. As such, these positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications stated herein. We will perform an initial review of applications to determine basic eligibility and minimum qualifications for the position and numeric scores will not be assigned. There are no numerical rating systems through which to apply veterans' preference; however, the Office of the General Counsel favorably considers veterans preference eligibility in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume. If selected, additional information may be required.
Required Documents
A complete application consists of the following:
- Cover letter. Address demonstrated interests and qualifications as it relates to the position.
- Resume showing relevant experience. Your resume should list your educational and work experience, including the dates (mm/dd/yyyy) and provide the hours per week, if less than 40. For work in the Federal Service, please include the pay plan and grade level for the position(s).
- Copy of law school transcript (Unofficial copy is sufficient, but official copy must be submitted before appointment). You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
- Certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing.
Failure to provide documents, if selected, may result in lost consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please send the following documents to OCCHiring@ntia.gov with subject line: Attorney Advisor - Office of Chief Counsel
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Proof of active bar membership.
4. Certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing.
Contact phone number: 202-482-1816
Contact address:
National Telecommunications & Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230
Next steps
Once your application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your eligibility. You will only be contacted if you are found eligible and if you are selected for an interview. Applicants selected for interviews may be requested to provide a legal writing sample.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for OGC to share your application with others in OGC for similar positions.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed.
After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
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