Duties
Enforcement Bureau
The Enforcement Bureau (EB) has primary responsibility for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) enforcement of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, other statutes, and the FCC’s rules, orders, and terms and conditions of licenses and other authorizations. In addition to general enforcement and deterrence goals, EB dedicates its resources to investigations and enforcement actions involving FCC-regulated services and equipment that significantly impact: (1) consumer protection and privacy; (2) data security, cybersecurity, and supply chain integrity; (3) national security, public safety, emergency services, and harmful interference; (4) fraud targeting critical FCC-administered programs; and (5) fair competition and equal opportunities.
Investigations & Hearings Division
Within EB, the Investigations & Hearings Division (IHD) handles some of the EB’s largest and most complex enforcement matters. It conducts investigations and takes enforcement actions across a broad range of issues involving virtually all services subject to FCC jurisdiction. IHD’s functions include investigating and taking appropriate enforcement action against telecommunications, broadcast, cable, and satellite licensees; multichannel video programming distributors (MPVDs); DBS operators and/or wireless licensees for violations of Titles II, III, and VI; various FCC privacy, data security, cybersecurity, and transparency rules concerning broadband services, cable television, satellite services, and other communications offerings; as well as Universal Service Fund and Congressionally appropriated programs rule violations. IHD also conducts complex investigations of violations involving unauthorized transfers of control of domestic and international FCC authorizations and licenses and undisclosed and unauthorized foreign investment in FCC license holders. In addition, IHD serves as FCC trial staff for all administrative hearings and oversees the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance of television and radio broadcast licensees, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) providers and MVPDs.
Major Duties
As a Senior Attorney Advisor, the incumbent works on cases or legal issues of extreme complexity, including compliance with Universal Service Fund requirements, unauthorized transfers of control/unauthorized operations, national security matters, foreign ownership issues, Digital Discrimination and Open Internet rules. The incumbent is responsible for providing authoritative legal advice to the Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief, Assistant Division Chief, and other supervisors concerning highly complex and controversial, policy-oriented enforcement issues including, but not limited to, those impacting telecommunications services.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Bar Membership Documentation Required Upon Selection.
- Education-Transcripts Required Upon Selection.
- US Citizenship.
- Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
- Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
- Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
- Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status
- SF-50 Documenting One Year of Time in Grade Required
Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.
SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov
Qualifications
Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
In order to be deemed as "BEST QUALIFIED" candidates must meet both the educational requirements AND the Specialized Experience.
A. Education
You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M.
NOTE-If you do not provide a transcript at the time of application, a transcript will be required to be provided at the time of selection.
AND
B. Specialized Experience
For GS-14: Applicants must possess at least three years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience includes:
- Conducting legal research on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services;
- Preparing comprehensive legal documents;
- Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues;
- Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority.
For GS-15: Applicants must possess at least four years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience includes:
- Providing legal advice and guidance on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services;
- Preparing comprehensive legal documents including reviewing and editing documents drafted by others;
- Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues;
- Making oral presentations, communicating legal research results, and defending legal positions at all levels of authority;
- Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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.
Education
Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the "Qualifications" section.
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.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting
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.
All candidates will be considered without regard to political or religious affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap, age, or any other non-merit factor. THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who do not submit a supporting resume will be rated ineligible.
There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:
1. the core questions
2. supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, transcripts, bar membership); and
3. your resume.
Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process
You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs):
- Knowledge of legal and policy issues relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services.
- Skill in analyzing and resolving legal and policy issues.
- Ability to communicate in writing to develop complex legal documents.
- Ability to communicate orally to individuals of various levels involving significant or controversial legal and policy issues.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement.
You must submit a resume at the time of application. Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.
This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.
- Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
- Proof of current, active bar membership.
- Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues.
- Professional references.
Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Supplemental Documents Required:
- Current Federal employees should submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
- Transcripts
- Bar Membership
If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.
Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge. Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide
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
To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov/
Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.
If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.
Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts.
To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov
NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.