Attorney-Adviser (Small Claims Officer)

The ideal candidate, in his/her capacity as Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer), serves as will independently adjudicate Shipping Act cases, including deciding legal and factual issues. Your written decisions will impact common carriers, shippers, and the public in general. Preference for those with maritime or judicial experience (which may be from federal, state, administrative, or specialized courts).

The incumbent serves as an Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) in the Office of the Administrative Law Judges. In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) include:

• Reviews the record and conducts comprehensive legal research to issue sound decisions resolving factual and legal issues in the Shipping Act small claims cases (under $50,000).
• Conducts prehearing meetings and discussions with parties and attorneys, evaluates the evidence, requests additional evidence from the parties, applies controlling law, and, acting as independent adjudicator, prepares and issues decisions.
• Reviews and analyzes extensive factual records, often consisting of thousands of pages of exhibits.
  Independently evaluates the factual basis of alleged Shipping Act violations and communicates this evaluation to an Administrative Law Judge in oral or written form.
• Recommends disposition of legal and procedural issues presented in the proceeding, including motions and discovery disputes and communicates reasons for proposed disposition to administrative law judges both orally and in writing.
• Applies extensive knowledge and experience analyzing legal problems that may have far­ reaching legal implications for the Shipping Act.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• 2-year trial period may be required.
• Must have an Active Bar Membership in Good Standing. If selected, must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with the FMC. Active bar membership and a certification that the member is in good standing is verified by a Human Resources Specialist in OHR prior to appointment.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service, see http://www.sss.gov/.
• Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• FMC participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
• This position is in the Excepted Service

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

• Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
• FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
• SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

Qualifications

For the GS-15: You must have earned a professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, be an active member of the Bar, and have at least four (4) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level.

Professional legal education above the first professional law degree may be substituted for experience required as follows:(a) The second professional law degree (LL.M) may be substituted for one year of experience (b) The third law degree (J.S.D) may be substituted for one year of experience beyond the LL.M. 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. Applicants must possess excellent research and oral and written communication skills. Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Exceptional experience making or recommending decisions in federal, state, administrative, or specialized courts.
• Exceptional experience in litigation at the appellate, trial, or administrative hearing level.
• Exceptional skill and ability to communicate highly complex and at times controversial legal and administrative issues both orally and in writing, with a preference for experience with maritime, antitrust, or economic issues.

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.

There are no numerical rating systems through which to apply veterans preference. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their resume. If selected, additional information may be required. Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements outlined in this announcement.

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) or SME Panel may be utilized to assist in the technical evaluation of candidates' qualifications. Applicants who meet these requirements will be certified and referred to the selecting official. A writing sample may be included as a part of the interview process.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES) showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of your qualifications, you will not receive consideration for the position.
2. This position has a basic education requirement; you must submit a copy of your official or unofficial law school Transcripts for further consideration. An official transcript is required before being appointed.
3. A cover letter explaining interest in the position and demonstrating how all qualifications are met.
4. A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's own work and includes legal analysis.
5. Proof of current and active BAR Membership in good standing. During the initial review of applications, the Agency will accept photocopies of BAR Membership Cards or screenshots providing proof of active membership in a BAR Association that reflects the bar's jurisdiction or territory, the attorney's full name, bar number, date of admission, and bar status (i.e. active, inactive, retired, etc.).
6. Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable.
7. Current or Former Federal Employees (if applicable) - please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which preferably shows your current title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade held, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade held.
8. Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active-Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
9. Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable) - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently or have been a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch within the last 5 years, you must disclose this in your application package.

Failure to submit documents required may result in loss of consideration.

Optional Narrative Statements:

The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to public service to hiring managers and agency leadership. Although responses are optional and will not be scored, applicants are encouraged to address each question thoughtfully. Please limit each response to 200 words or fewer. At the beginning of your submission, please certify that the responses are your own work and that you did not use a consultant or any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Copilot.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Next steps