Attorney Advisor (International)(Public Notice Flyer) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OS-OGC-PNF-26-12876478 Department Office of the Secretary
Salary $102,415.00 to $187,093.00 Grade 12 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/2/2026 Close Date 3/2/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce, is seeking an individual with exceptional analytical, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills to join our team of international technical assistance Attorney-Advisors to partner with countries and counterparts to advance shared prosperity, diversify energy critical minerals supply chains, and advance energy and mineral governance partnerships.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.

Duties

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS:

Asia-Pacific Team:
Candidates should have prior legal experience in the project finance, alternative dispute resolution, infrastructure, and/or trade sectors. In this position, the Attorney-Advisor will be expected to be able to converse with a variety of stakeholders on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing infrastructure projects, including investment and project finance, arbitration, and government contracting. Prior legal experience with the administration, drafting, interpretation, and/or enforcement of legal, regulatory, and/or transactional documents in the infrastructure sector, such as: public-private partnership agreements and/or regulations, infrastructure concessions and contracts, or infrastructure project finance documents. Legal experience in the energy/power sectors also welcome. Prior experience and/or familiarity with working with foreign governments and/or development finance institutions is strongly preferred. Regular international travel to Asia will be required, averaging around 6-8 trips per year to the regional teams' country partners. CLDP Attorney-Advisors in this position carry out many of their programs in the host countries around the world, and also bring delegations to the U.S. for study tours. Knowledge of a language spoken in the Asia-Pacific region is preferred, but not required.

Europe Team:
Knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, or Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian is not required but is preferred. Candidates should have prior legal experience in trade and investment law including project finance, alternative dispute resolution, government procurement, customs, and intellectual property, and investment security law. Prior experience drafting or implementing trade and investment legislation or regulations is desirable. Prior experience and/or familiarity with working with foreign governments and/or development finance institutions is strongly preferred. Regular international travel is required, averaging around 6-8 trips per year to partner countries.

Latin America Team:
Candidates should have prior legal experience in the project finance, alternative dispute resolution, infrastructure, and/or trade sectors. In this position, the Attorney-Advisor will be expected to be able to converse with a variety of stakeholders on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing infrastructure projects, including investment and project finance, arbitration, and government contracting. Prior legal experience with the administration, drafting, interpretation, and/or enforcement of legal, regulatory, and/or transactional documents in the infrastructure sector, such as: public-private partnership agreements and/or regulations, infrastructure concessions and contracts, or infrastructure project finance documents. Legal experience in the energy/power sectors also welcome. Prior experience and/or familiarity with working with foreign governments and/or development finance institutions is strongly preferred. Regular international travel will be required, averaging around 6-8 trips per year to the regional teams' country partners. CLDP Attorney-Advisors in this position carry out many of their programs in the host countries around the world, and also bring delegations to the U.S. for study tours. Spanish professional fluency is required.

Middle East and Africa Team:
Candidates should have prior legal experience in the project finance, alternative dispute resolution, infrastructure, and/or trade sectors. In this position, the Attorney-Advisor will be expected to be able to converse with a variety of stakeholders on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing infrastructure projects, including investment and project finance, arbitration, and government contracting. Prior legal experience with the administration, drafting, interpretation, and/or enforcement of legal, regulatory, and/or transactional documents in the infrastructure sector, such as: public-private partnership agreements and/or regulations, infrastructure concessions and contracts, or infrastructure project finance documents. Legal experience in the energy/power sectors also welcome. Prior experience and/or familiarity with working with foreign governments and/or development finance institutions is strongly preferred. Regular international travel will be required, averaging around 6-8 trips per year to the regional teams' country partners. CLDP Attorney-Advisors in this position carry out many of their programs in the host countries around the world, and also bring delegations to the U.S. for study tours. Knowledge of French or Arabic is preferred, but not required.


This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Attorney Advisor (International)(Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-12/13/14 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

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully 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 trial 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.
  • Drug Test Required: Yes
  • License required: Yes, Active Good Standing Bar Membership
  • 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 the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/


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

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.

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.

To qualify for GS-12, applicants must possess a JD, active U.S. state/territory bar membership, and a minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience.

To qualify for a GS-13, applicants must possess a JD, active U.S. state/territory bar membership, and a minimum of 3 years of specialized and relevant professional experience as listed below.

To qualify for a GS-14, applicants must possess a J.D., active U.S. state/territory bar membership, and a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.

For this position, the candidate should meet the following criteria:

  • Prior legal experience in a variety of legal duties such as: researching and assessing the political, economic and legal environment in the countries to which CLDP intends to provide legal assistance; collaborate with US and host country government officials and legal communities to identify assistance requirements and interests.
  • Prior legal experience in negotiating funding agreements with organizations from which CLDP is receiving funds, as well as persons and organizations to which it is providing funds; establish and monitor compliance with budgets; plan and carry out legal assistance activities that are cost effective, appropriate to the need of our hosts, and lead to the accomplishment of CLDP programmatic objectives.
  • Prior legal experience in evaluating and preparing financial and programmatic reports with respect to individual events, the status of CLDP programs and objectives and the utilization of funds provided to and by CLDP. The incumbent advises on legal and practical meaning and effects of economic opportunities for developing countries.

Education

Must be a law school graduate with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

See Qualifications Above.

Additional information

This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.

Regular international travel will be required, averaging around 6-8 trips per year, to global and occasionally domestic destinations. CLDP Attorney-Advisors in this position carry out many of their programs in the host countries around the world, and also bring delegations to the U.S. for study tours. Please review specialized experience requirements for the regional team you are applying for.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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 a cover letter and resume to CLDPJobs@doc.gov with the following headers depending on the position you are applying for:

-"Re: Asia-Pacific Attorney-Advisor Position"
-"Re: Eastern Europe Attorney-Advisor Position"
-"Re: Latin America Caribbean Attorney-Advisor Position"

[PERSON'S NAME]

[PERSONS' ADDRESS]

[PERSON'S PHONE NUMBER]

[PERSON'S EMAIL ADDRESS]

Agency contact information

Lindsey Scannell
Email
lscannell@doc.gov
Address
Office of the Secretary
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230
US

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.).