Attorney Advisor

Summary

The FMC is the federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and the U.S. consumer. The FMC is dedicated to ensuring a competitive and dependable international ocean transportation system that supports the U.S. economy and safeguards the public from unfair or deceptive practices.

Join the FMC and be part of a mission-driven organization during an important and exciting time in the maritime industry.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

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As an attorney-advisor, you will assist in the adjudication of complex proceedings, often involving multiple parties, extensive records, discovery disputes, and expert economic evidence. Your work will have an impact upon common carriers, shippers, and the public in general. Preference for candidates with strong legal research and writing skills and litigation, decision-writing, or clerkship experience.

• Conducts comprehensive legal research independently, including examination of applicable laws, statutes, regulations, administrative and court decisions, and other materials to recommend decisions resolving factual and legal issues. Able to conduct research on complex discovery issues, motions, and international law when needed.
• Reviews extensive factual records, often consisting of thousands of pages of exhibits. Independently evaluates the factual basis for the most complex allegations of Shipping Act violations. Identifies additional information that may be necessary to make a legal determination of the merits of the claim. Evaluates expert witness testimony. Recommends disposition of complex discovery disputes that arise between the parties.
• Applies extensive knowledge and experience to analyze the most complex legal issues by evaluating the factual basis and applying legal principles derived from rules, regulations, and case law precedent where there is no existing guidance. Communicates reasons for proposed disposition of cases to Administrative Law Judge's or Small Claims Officers primarily in writing. Provides justifications for recommended decisions with citations to relevant facts in evidence and sound legal authorities.
• Manage multiple competing assignments with tight timelines independently and ensure the office has sufficient resources to complete assignments on a timely basis.
• Conducts prehearing meetings with potentially challenging parties (including unrepresented pro se parties) and attorneys, either orally or in writing, ensuring that all applicable rules are followed. Trains other attorneys and staff on policies and procedures, including for hearings, ensuring that proper notice is provided. Assist with hiring new staff members and training them.
• Independently prepare reports regarding caseload and budget. Evaluate and provide training on applicable case management systems. Research and provide recommendations on complex service issues such as international service.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• 2-year trial period may be required.
• Must have an Active Bar Membership in Good Standing. If selected, must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with the FMC. Active bar membership and a certification that the member is in good standing is verified by a Human Resources Specialist in OHR prior to appointment.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service, see
• Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• FMC participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
• This position is in the Excepted Service

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

• Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
• FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
• SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

Qualifications

Candidates for all grades must meet the following by the close of the announcement:

1. Minimum educational requirements include a professional law degree (LL.B or J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school. NOTE: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. An ABA-approved law school may allow students to receive credit for law study or activities at a foreign institution and grant credit for the J.D. degree if those studies or activities are approved in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Criteria adopted by the ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
2. Current active membership in a bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Active bar association and a certificate that the member is in good standing will be verified prior to appointment and employees must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with the FMC.
3. Applicants must possess excellent research and oral and written communication skills.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, you must meet the following:

For the GS-12: You must have at least two (2) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

For the GS-13: You must have at least three (3) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

For the GS-14: You must have at least four (4) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.

Professional legal education above the first professional law degree may be substituted for experience required as follows:(a) The second professional law degree (LL.M) may be substituted for one year of experience (b) The third law degree (J.S.D) may be substituted for one year of experience beyond the LL.M. 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 refer to the qualifications and required documents for applicable education requirements. Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position. 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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website:

Foreign Education : If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

If selected, will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across FMC.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, please refer to the agency contact information.

This is appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period, unless already completed. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.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.

Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the FMC considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their application submission documentation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement :

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see

Federal employees are required to adhere to the 14 Principles of Ethical Conduct. All employees of the Federal government are subject to the conflict of interest statutes and regulations including the Standards of Ethical Conduct that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. This position may require the incumbent to complete a confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment.

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.

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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.

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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.