Attorney-Adviser (Small Claims Officer)

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.

Duties

The ideal candidate in his/her capacity as Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) serves as will independently adjudicate Shipping Act cases including deciding legal and factual issues. Your written decisions will impact common carriers shippers and the public in general. Preference for those with maritime or judicial experience (which may be from federal state administrative or specialized courts).

The incumbent serves as an Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) in the Office of the Administrative Law this capacity the responsibilities of the Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) include:

• Reviews the record and conducts comprehensive legal research to issue sound decisions resolving factual and legal issues in the Shipping Act small claims cases (under $50000).
• Conducts prehearing meetings and discussions with parties and attorneys evaluates the evidence requests additional evidence from the parties applies controlling law and acting as independent adjudicator prepares and issues decisions.
• Reviews and analyzes extensive factual records often consisting of thousands of pages of exhibits.
  Independently evaluates the factual basis of alleged Shipping Act violations and communicates this evaluation to an Administrative Law Judge in oral or written form.
• Recommends disposition of legal and procedural issues presented in the proceeding including motions and discovery disputes and communicates reasons for proposed disposition to administrative law judges both orally and in writing.
• Applies extensive knowledge and experience analyzing legal problems that may have far reaching legal implications for the Shipping Act.

Requirements

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 aftermust be registered for Selective Service see 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:

Qualifications

For the GS-15: You must have earned a professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association be an active member of the Bar and have at least four (4) years of professional legal experience one of which was specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 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. Applicants must possess excellent research and oral and written communication skills. Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Exceptional experience making or recommending decisions in federal state administrative or specialized courts.
• Exceptional experience in litigation at the appellate trial or administrative hearing level.
• Exceptional skill and ability to communicate highly complex and at times controversial legal and administrative issues both orally and in writing with a preference for experience with maritime antitrust or economic issues.

Education

Please refer to the qualifications and required documents for applicable education 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 must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicants resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: 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 ()

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 : born after must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see 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.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority