Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. citizens

Join the FEC's legal team! Our attorneys advise the Commission on complex legal questions involving FECA and cutting edge First Amendment principles.

As an Attorney-Adviser in this position, you will work within the Litigation, Enforcement, or Policy division providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or investigative activities in connection with the Federal Election Campaign Act and compliance with Commission policy and regulations.

The Attorney-Adviser for the Litigation Division will:

• Handle all aspects of district court and appellate court litigation including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, conducting trials, and presenting oral arguments.
• Draft briefs, complaints, answers, motions, and other documents necessary to represent the Commission in court, frequently including sophisticated dispositive motions involving complex constitutional and administrative law issues.
• Conduct depositions, manage discovery, present oral arguments, and negotiate settlements.
• Advise and report to the Commission on assigned litigation matters including development of strategy in complex cases.
• Assist the United States Solicitor General in representing the Commission and addressing questions before the Supreme Court that impact the agency's programs.

Please note: Depending on workload considerations, staff attorneys assigned to a specific division may assist on projects from other divisions within OGC.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You must be able to pass a background investigation.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
• You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• You must meet qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience Requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. A copy of your unofficial or official transcripts must be provided with your application.

Basic Requirements (applicable to ALL grade levels):

A. Education: Possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

AND,

B. Bar Membership: Be an active member in good standing of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting both of the Basic Requirements above, you must meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level listed below.

Minimum Qualification Requirement for GS-11: Applicant must possess the minimum requirements of (1) a law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and (2) Bar admission, being licensed and in good standing to practice law as an Attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.

Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-12: Applicant must have at least 1 year of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 federal grade level, participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other legal documents; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; and (4) making oral presentations of legal research/analysis.

Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-13: Applicant must have at least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 federal grade level participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other documents in preparation for trial or administrative proceedings; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; (4) assisting senior staff with settlement negotiations with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) making oral presentations of legal arguments or results of legal research/analysis.

Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-14: Applicant must have at least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 federal grade level providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting extensive legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching precedent or opinions bearing on a legal issue; (2) writing briefs, motions, reports, or recommendations in preparation for trial or administrative proceedings; (3) taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; (4) participating in negotiating settlement agreements with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) presenting oral arguments in a court or administrative hearing.

In addition, applicants must provide a cover letter of at least two pages summarizing your evidence of the following competencies:

1. Legal Writing: Writes clear, concise, persuasive legal documents.
2. Legal Analysis: Researches, analyzes, and explains complex legal issues.
3. Investigations: Gathers information and examines facts for investigations or research; takes depositions; conducts witness interviews; drafts formal and informal written discovery.
4. Negotiating: Develops negotiation strategy; drafts and negotiates settlement agreements; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
5. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; communicates complex legal principles succinctly and clearly.

We recommend your cover letter include examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the functions, activities, or services you delivered; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed, and the results of your actions.

Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer work experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Please Note:

• If you are selected at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the next higher grade level once you have served 12 months and met performance requirements.
• If you are selected at the GS-13 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the GS-14 level once you have served 18 months at the GS-13 level and met performance requirements.
• Selection at the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 level does not guarantee promotion to the GS-14, full performance level.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications.

If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process which will determine the best qualified candidates.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package including the documents listed below. We strongly encourage applicants to doublecheck that all required items are properly submitted to ensure consideration.

1. Resume listing your hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. For more information, view the following link. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
2. Cover Letter addressing the competencies in the Qualifications section above. Please limit your cover letter to 2 pages.
3. Unofficial law school transcripts to verify you meet the educational requirements of this position. All applicants are required to submit unofficial law school transcripts prior to the closing of this announcement. If selected for this position you will be required to submit official law school transcripts upon entry into duty. Self-created "transcripts" will not be accepted.
4. Copy of Bar License to verify you are licensed and in good standing to practice law as an Attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. You must submit a copy of your current Bar card, or letter of good standing. Alternatively, a PDF or printout from an online bar database reflecting your status is acceptable.
5. Veterans documents (if applicable): DD-214 including character of service, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days, and if applicable, SF-15 Form, VA letter, or other documentation required by that form.

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