Summary
The Department of Commerce's (Department) Office of the General Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel for Technology Security is seeking an Attorney-Advisor to provide legal counsel to the Department in support of its mission to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) supply chain.
Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.
Duties
The Attorney-Advisor will provide legal advice regarding, and perform functions related to, ongoing and anticipated ICTS transaction reviews as well as related regulatory matters. This includes formulating an investigative strategy, drafting legal memoranda and legal recommendations, drafting administrative subpoenas, reviewing subpoena responses and responsive documents, interacting with outside counsel, assessing evidence, advising and preparing risk assessments, developing measures to resolve any risks, including through mitigation agreements, and making recommendations to the Secretary concerning initial and final determinations.
The Attorney-Advisor will also perform rulemaking and other legal duties related to ICTS work, as assigned.
Additional duties include:
- providing technical legal advice, particularly in connection with the Department's ICTS authorities.
- drafting and reviewing statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that include Department equities as they pertain to ICTS.
- reviewing compliance with statutory, regulatory, and executive order requirements.
- coordinating with other Departmental and interagency offices, as necessary.
- counseling and bringing to the attention of office and Department leadership matters within the purview of the office; and briefing Department leadership on these matters.
In addition, the Attorney-Advisor will be required to carry out duties with minimal preliminary instruction and review, often requiring independent legal research, approach planning, and the development of legal recommendations related to the Department's ICTS responsibilities.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other General Attorney (Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-11/12/13/14/15 GS-15 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Conditions of Employment
- Please send applications to ICTSattorneys@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 TOP 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.
- Must complete a two-year trial period.
- 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: 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 qualifications for all grade levels:
- Must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; and
- You must have Active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
The minimum required experience applicants must possess at each grade level (or equivalent) is as follows:
GS-11: Applicants applying at the GS-11 grade level must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
GS-12: Applicants applying at the GS-12 grade level must meet GS-11 qualifications plus one-year of legal experience, or additional relevant experience that distinguishes an entry-level attorney from the GS-11. This may include: a superior academic record; specific course work or an internship in the relevant legal area; another graduate or doctoral degree.
GS-13: Applicants applying at the GS-13 grade level must have two years of legal experience or relevant experience.
GS-14: Applicants applying at the GS-14 grade level requires at least three years of legal experience.
GS-15: Applicants applying at the GS-15 grade level requires at least four years of legal experience.
Note: The General Counsel or designee retains the discretion to waive minimum qualifications as described above, as necessary.
The ideal candidate would have:
- Experience in international law and/or national security law;
- Experience promulgating rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act;
- Experience investigating matters, whether in the criminal or civil context;
- Experience litigating matters before a Federal or state court;
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex and novel legal issues and developing strategies to deal with those issues, often within short deadlines; and
- Strong writing and organizational skills.
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.
This position will be filled at a grade and step level commensurate with the applicant's experience. The promotion potential of this position is up to GS15. Promotion to GS15 is neither guaranteed nor implied.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the above qualifications. Applicants will be related based on their education, experience, demonstrated legal research and writing abilities; and performance during the interview process.
If the candidate is eligible and meets basic qualifications, the candidate's application package will be evaluated in conjunction with submitted documents, including resume, based on the following attributes:
- Knowledge of research strategies and techniques sufficient to research complex legal issues. The issues researched are almost always factually complex and are in areas of law which are in continual state of growth and evolution, thus requiring atypical and innovative research;
- Knowledge of and experience in litigation techniques and strategies, as well as of conducting investigations or drafting and reviewing Federal regulations;
- Ability to effectively communicate with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics;
- Ability to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively, with particular emphasis on the ability to analyze and explain complex legal issues;
- Ability to communicate effectively orally with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics;
- Ability to maintain effective working and reporting relationships with interagency peers, subject-matter experts, support staff, and management officials;
- Ability to organize work effectively to meet established deadlines and priorities.
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.
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 for the application, but official transcript may be required before appointment);
- 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.
- Writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
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.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING RESUMES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Please submit the required documents specified in this vacancy to the email: ICTSattorneys@doc.gov with the subject line "OS-OGC-PNF-24-12256949 for Attorney-Advisor, GS-905-11/12/13/14/15," and include at least 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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