Summary
*This vacancy announcement is open continuous for one year to create a standing register.*
- The first cut-off date is: 23 June 2023
- Future cut-off dates will be at the hiring manager's discretion.
- If you are found qualified and eligible, your name will remain on the register through the closing date of this announcement.
Salary Ranges:
GS-11: $78,592 - $102,166
GS-12: $94,199 - $122,459
GS-13: $112,015 - $145,617
GS-14: $132,368 - $172,075
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to all U.S. citizens
Duties
In this position, you will serve as an Attorney in the Enforcement Division in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the Federal Election Commission. You will work under an Assistant General Counsel providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or investigative activities in connection with the enforcement of the Federal Election Campaign Act and compliance with Commission policy and regulations.
As part of your duties, you will:
- Analyze a large range of complex and sometimes high-profile enforcement matters generated internally or by complaints filed by members of the public alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
- Write legal reports, memoranda, and briefs.
- Deliver oral presentations to the Commission in support of recommended actions.
- Conduct investigations that include interviews, depositions, and requests for documents.
- Conduct conciliation discussions with enforcement subjects and/or their counsel and recommend conciliation agreements (settlements) to the Commission for approval.
Under the FEC's current policy, the person serving in this position is permitted to telework up to seven days per pay period and take advantage of flexible work hour arrangements.
This is a bargaining unit position.
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.
- All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirements and the 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 both 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 experience requirements for the applicable grade level.
Minimum Qualification Requirement for the GS-11:
You 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.
Experience Requirement for the GS-12:
You 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.
Experience Requirement for the GS-13:
You 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.
Experience Requirement for the GS-14 Level:
You 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, you must provide a cover letter of at least two pages summarizing your evidence of the following competencies:
- Legal Writing: Writes clear, concise, persuasive legal documents.
- Legal Analysis: Researches, analyzes, and explains complex legal issues.
- Investigations: Gathers information and examines facts for investigations or research; takes depositions; conducts witness interviews; drafts formal and informal written discovery.
- Negotiating: Develops negotiation strategy; drafts and negotiates settlement agreements; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
- 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.
Note: If you are selected at the GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the next higher grade level once you have served 18 months and met performance requirements. Selection at the GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance GS-14 grade level.
Education
You must submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcripts conferring a J.D., or LL.B., or higher degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
A self-created transcript or a list of courses you have prepared is not acceptable.
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.
Review our 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.
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.
- Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held.
- Cover Letter addressing the competencies in the Qualifications section above.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/25/2024 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Additional phases of the review process will determine the best qualified candidates, and whether or not your application is referred to the selecting official. You will be contacted directly if further evaluation or an interview is required. You will receive notifications by email about the status of your application throughout this process.
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