Attorney Advisor

Summary

This position is in the Enforcement Bureau (EB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC. Selectees will be placed at various divisions throughout EB. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Duties

The incumbent serves as an attorney working primarily to support the Commission's efforts to enforce the Communications Act and the FCC's rules across a wide range of industries regulated by Commission. The incumbent is responsible for providing authoritative legal advice to the Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief, and Bureau Leadership, including the Bureau Chief, concerning highly complex, policy-oriented enforcement issues including, but not limited to: fraud, waste, and abuse involving FCC-administered funds; equipment authorization rules and 911 system failures; formal complaints against common carriers and utility pole owners; administrative hearings; and national security risks. The incumbent may serve in any one of the Enforcement Bureau's divisions, including: the Investigations & Hearings Division; the Fraud Division; the Market Disputes Resolution Division; and the Spectrum Enforcement Division. While serving in the Enforcement Bureau, the incumbent will work on highly complex legal cases. These cases typically involve complicated factual situations where clear precedents are not readily available or apparent. These are often characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex, difficult issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; (2) matters that can have an important impact on major industry parties whose economic position affects major private and public interests; (3) matters of intense public interest and impact, including involving national security. The incumbent applies rigorous critical thinking and analysis skills to solve problems, make recommendations to supervisors, and executes tasks needed to complete investigations and issue legal actions. Decisions about legal conclusions based upon the facts and the relevant legal authorities are made in conjunction with the supervisor, with the incumbent playing a critical role in (1) identifying, (2) researching, and (3) communicating accurate, timely, and appropriately detailed information to support well-reasoned legal conclusions and informed decision-making at all levels. In carrying out his or her duties, the incumbent may be expected to (1) make findings of fact based on audits, investigations, complaints, or compliance reports; (2) research applicable law and policy; (3) draft Memorandum Opinions and Orders for Commission approval resolving litigation between parties and mediates pre-complaint disputes; (4) prepare charging documents (Notices of Apparent Liability, Citations and Forfeiture Orders) for Commission approval; (5) negotiate settlements with targets of Division investigations where appropriate; (6) develop the evidentiary record and presents legal arguments in adjudicative administrative hearings; and/or; (7) devise and implement policies to advance the Commission's enforcement goals and objectives. The incumbent is responsible for the proper interpretation of the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Commission's rules, regulations, and policies, including, but not limited to those impacting telecommunications services. The incumbent therefore keeps abreast of legal developments affecting enforcement issues and broadcast and/or telecommunications regulatory matters by reviewing court and Commission decisions, professional publications and trade press, relevant Congressional actions, and regulations of other agencies.

Requirements

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified. SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to [email protected]

Qualifications

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. In order to be deemed as "BEST QUALIFIED" candidates must meet both the educational requirements AND the Specialized Experience. A. Education You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M. NOTE-If you do not provide a transcript at the time of application, a transcript will be required to be provided at the time of selection. AND B. Specialized Experience For GS-14: Applicants must possess at least three years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience includes: 1. Conducting legal research on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services; 2. Preparing comprehensive legal documents; 3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues; 4. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority. For GS-15: Applicants must possess at least four years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience includes: 1. Providing legal advice and guidance on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services; 2. Preparing comprehensive legal documents including reviewing and editing documents drafted by others; 3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues; 4. Making oral presentations, communicating legal research results, and defending legal positions at all levels of authority; 5. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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. SME REVIEW In addition to meeting all of the qualification criteria listed above, candidate's resumes must demonstrate all required competencies. Subject matter experts will review your application to determine if you meet all qualification criteria listed above in addition to the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's). GS-14 COMPETENCIES Expert ability to fomulate both legal and policy statements, proposed decisions, and proposals for the modification of regulations or the adoption of new regulations. Expert ability to write legal position papers and related policy memoranda. Expert ability to resolve highly complex and controversial legal which are frequently the subject of challenge in the courts. Expert ability to evaluate divergent points of view and present findings and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion. GS-15 COMPETENCIES Expert ability to fomulate both legal and policy statements, proposed decisions, and proposals for the modification of regulations or the adoption of new regulations. Expert ability to write legal position papers and related policy memoranda. Expert ability to resolve highly complex and controversial legal which are frequently the subject of challenge in the courts. Expert ability to evaluate divergent points of view and present findings and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion.\ Expert ability to prepare notices of inquiry, notices of proposed rulemaking. If you are deemed to be qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration. Alternatively, if your application is not deemed as qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will not be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration.

Education

Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the "Qualifications" section.

How you will be evaluated

Optional Four Essay Questions At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions. 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. In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation. 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. Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question. All candidates will be considered without regard to political or religious affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap, age, or any other non-merit factor. THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who do not submit a supporting resume will be rated ineligible. There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including: 1. the core questions 2. supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, transcripts, bar membership); and 3. your resume. Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including: Health Insurance Life Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Long-Term Care Insurance Holidays and Leave Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Transit Benefit Alternative Work Schedule Telecommuting

Required documents

Merit Hiring Plan Resume Requirements In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length. The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement. Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below: Contact Information Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number. Relevant Work Experience Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions) Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022) The number of hours you worked per week Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement. Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration. The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit USAjobs-How to Write a Federal Resume Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement. You must submit a resume at the time of application. Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible. This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection. Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable). Proof of current, active bar membership. Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues. Professional references. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. Supplemental Documents Required: Current Federal employees should submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible. Transcripts Bar Membership If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection. Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge. Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide

How to apply

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?a=FC00&k=Federal%20Communications%20Commission As outlined in the "Required Documents Details" section of the announcement, resumes must meet be no longer than two pages in length and must meet the resume formatting requirements. Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/process If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Apply Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at [email protected] or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Apply Government Solutions Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST. NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission's automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date. NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission's automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.

Other information

EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance Other: - Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job. - If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year. - In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

What to expect next

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.