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

Vacancy No. OS-OGC-PNF-26-12899485 Department Office of the Secretary
Salary $102,415.00 to $187,093.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/6/2026 Close Date 4/6/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the Office of the 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 engage in legal reform work related to telecommunications and the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, under the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP).

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

The CLDP team consists of highly skilled lawyers, telecommunications experts, and international program specialists with deep knowledge of commercial law, communications law, business, and economic development. With fluency in over 35 languages, CLDP staff work directly with foreign governments to advance U.S. interests abroad while helping host countries achieve their economic development objectives.

As an Attorney Advisor(International)(Public Notice Flyer) you will perform the following duties:

  • Manage and expand 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.
  • Serve as the representative for CLDP at stakeholder, interagency, and international meetings to coordinate policy reform efforts and technical assistance.
  • Work 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.
  • Use appropriate project management tools to track implementation progress, anticipating and identifying issues as they arise and concurrently developing optimal solutions with a view of sustainability.
  • Identify and work with pro bono experts on specific sub-issues, from within the U.S. Government, private law practice, industry, academia, the non-governmental organization (NGO) community, and elsewhere.

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

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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 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.

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

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

- Prior experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal) related to and conversing with a variety of stakeholders on the development of laws, regulations, or policies involving telecommunications, undersea cables, non-geostationary orbit satellite communications services, the Internet, privacy, 5G, or the digital economy.

To qualify for a GS-13, applicants must possess a J.D., active U.S. state/territory bar membership, and a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience as listed below.

- Prior relevant legal experience related to and conversing with a variety of stakeholders on the development of laws, regulations, or policies involving telecommunications, undersea cables, non-geostationary orbit satellite communications services, the Internet, privacy, 5G, or the digital economy.

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

  • 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 in 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
  • Spanish language preferred but not a requirement.

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.

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 no more than 2 pages 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

To be considered, please submit a current resume (up to 2 pages), law school unofficial transcript (if selected an official transcript is required), and cover letter to mmcmillan@doc.gov AND cldpjobs@doc.gov.

[PERSON'S NAME]

[PERSONS' ADDRESS]

[PERSON'S PHONE NUMBER]

[PERSON'S EMAIL ADDRESS]

Agency contact information

Megan McMillan
Email
MMcMillan@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.).