Summary
The Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of General Counsel that helps achieve U.S. foreign policy goals in developing and transitional countries through commercial legal reforms.
Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.
Duties
The Attorney Advisor (International) position at the GS-13 grade level is entry-level and the duties may vary with increasing responsibilities. The following duties represent Attorney-Advisor (International) position at GS-14 level:
- Manages and expands legal technical assistance portfolio related to telecommunications and the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, through legal reform and technical assistance program activities that meet the host countries' development needs.
- Serves as the representative for CLDP at stakeholder, interagency, and international meetings to coordinate policy reform efforts and technical assistance.
- Works in partnership with foreign government officials to develop and support technical assistance programs under the State Department's DCCP, by organizing programming on matters relating to the deployment of new technologies, telecommunications regulations, data management laws, and digital economy issues.
- Uses appropriate project management tools and tracks implementation progress, anticipating and identifying issues as they arise and concurrently developing optimal solutions with a view of sustainability.
- Identifies and works with pro bono experts on specific sub-issues, from within the U.S. Government, private law practice, industry, academia, the NGO community, and elsewhere.
- Serve as the primary implementer for the Office of General Counsel's international development programs.
- Consult with other U.S. government agencies, foreign government officials, and members of the private sector to assess development needs and to design and implement assistance programs.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Attorney Advisor (International) (Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-13/14, FPL GS-14 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Please send applications to mmcmillan@doc.gov as seen in the "How to Apply" section for instructions for submitting your resume and supporting documentation.
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must successfully be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance and 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.
- Travel: Frequent International travel to the Asia-Pacific region is required. Attorney-Advisors carry out many of their programs in the host countries around the globe.
- Drug Test Required: Yes
- License required: Yes, Active BAR Certificate
- 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 this vacancy announcement are based on the Department of Commerce Attorneys and Law Clerks standards for Hiring and Advancement guidelines. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has no Group Coverage Qualification Standard for this series.
Basic Requirements for All Grade Levels:
1. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Must be a law school graduate with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and
2. Must be able to verify ACTIVE BAR MEMBERSHIP in good standing in one of the 50 United States, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum required experience applicants must possess at each grade level (or equivalent) is as follows:
GS-13: Must have two (2) years legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal) obtained after receipt of J.D. degree. Applicants applying at the GS-13 grade level must have two years of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal) related to conversing with a variety of stakeholders on the development of laws, regulations, or policies involving telecommunications, the Internet, privacy, 5G, or the digital economy.
GS-14: Must have three (3) years of relevant legal experience post J.D. degree of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. Applicants applying at the GS-14 grade level must have a minimum of three years of relevant legal experience related to conversing with a variety of stakeholders on the development of laws, regulations, or policies involving telecommunications, the Internet, privacy, 5G, or the digital economy.
AND
The following experience is preferred but not required:
- Prior experience in working with senior officials of the U.S. and foreign governments and international multilateral institutions, and in coordinating within the U.S. interagency and among organizations.
- Prior experience designing, organizing, and conducting seminars, conferences, workshops, or consultations.
- Prior experience with competitive tendering of ICT equipment or services.
- Interest or familiarity with countries in the Indo-Pacific region or Latin America
- Proficiency in Spanish and/or Arabic.
Note: The General Counsel or designee retains the discretion to waive minimum qualifications as described above.
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
Please see Qualifications and Required Documents section for more information.
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 resume and supporting documents for the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position:
- Manages and expands legal technical assistance portfolio related to telecommunications and the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, through legal reform and technical assistance program activities that meet the host countries' development needs.
- Serves as the representative for CLDP at stakeholder, interagency, and international meetings to coordinate policy reform efforts and technical assistance.
- Works in partnership with foreign government officials to develop and support technical assistance programs under the State Department's DCCP, by organizing programming on matters relating to the deployment of new technologies, telecommunications regulations, data management laws, and digital economy issues.
- Uses appropriate project management tools and tracks implementation progress, anticipating and identifying issues as they arise and concurrently developing optimal solutions with a view of sustainability.
- Identifies and works with pro bono experts on specific sub-issues, from within the U.S. Government, private law practice, industry, academia, the NGO community, and elsewhere.
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.
Please DO NOT put your SSN on pages within your application package. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
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
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING RESUMES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Please submit the required documents specified in this vacancy to Megan McMillan, Senior Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program, U.S. Department of Commerce at email mmcmillan@doc.gov with the subject line OS-OGC-PNF-24-12502178 for Attorney Advisor (International) GS-905-13/14, and include the following information in the email's body:
- Your name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
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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