Attorney-Advisor (USTR)

Job Description

Job Description

Executive Office of the President | Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Office of Human Capital and Services (OHCS)
Attorney-Advisor Vacancy Announcement

Position Title (Organizational): Attorney-Advisor
Pay Scale & Grade: GS-0905-15
Office: Office of General Counsel
Position Location: Washington, D.C.
Number of Positions: Multiple positions
Work Schedule: Full-Time

Opening Date: March 6, 2026
Closing Date: Open Continuous


Application cut off - Friday, June 5, 2026
Application cut off - Friday June 19, 2026
Application cut off - Friday, July 3, 2026
Application cut off - Friday, July 17, 2026

Who May Apply: All U.S. Citizens
Telework Eligible: Yes, as determined by the agency policy
Travel Required: Yes, occasional travel may be expected for this position
Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
Appointment Type: Permanent (Excepted Service)
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Drug Test: Yes
Financial Disclosure: Yes
Security Clearance: Top Secret

Major Duties:
Serves as an attorney in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Office of General Counsel. The incumbent provides expert legal analysis and advice on a variety of trade issues.

As an Attorney-Advisor, GS-905-15, your typical work assignment may include the following:



 

• Pursue trade enforcement actions, including trade investigations under U.S. law, and representation in international trade disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and under bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). Advise on trade investigations and dispute settlement, including substantive legal issues, procedural matters, and litigation tactics. Develop legal arguments and strategies.

 

• Represent and negotiate on behalf of the United States in trade investigations and dispute settlement proceedings and in bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral fora on matters relating to litigation and settlement of trade disputes.

 

• Conduct and advise on bilateral and multilateral negotiations concerning trade issues related to a variety of goods and services, committing the United States to the terms of the resulting agreements.

 

• Work closely with an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) or equivalent in formulating U.S. trade policies. Conduct research of laws, legal opinions, policies, or regulations on specific trade areas or broad trade issues. Advise and recommend policy options to the appropriate AUSTR or other senior level official. Establish policy options during trade negotiations to achieve satisfactory results. Develop and apply negotiating strategies and tactics. Prepare reports and other documents in anticipation of potential problems and issues.

 

• Provide expert advice and guidance to USTR officials on legal issues with respect to assigned trade issues. Develop and coordinate USTR’s legal position on all issues related to area of responsibility.

 

• Review current and pending legislation to assigned areas and potential effect and impact on U.S. trade and the economy.

 
Conditions of employment:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or National.
• Selective Service registration if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Direct Deposit is required.
• RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.
• Suitability for Federal employment.
• May be required to successfully complete a two-year probationary period.
• Must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
• You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. State, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement

Qualifications:
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-15 Grade Level: Possess four years professional legal experience; one year must be equivalent at the GS-14 grade level that demonstrates the following:



 

1. Advising and counseling mid to senior level leaders on complex, difficult legal questions requiring extensive research, analysis, and evaluation of information in controversial areas.

 

1. Preparing legal documents for filing, such as drafting complaints, orders to show cause, indictments, preliminary motions, supporting affidavits, and briefs.

 

1. Drafting or pleading motions for case litigation, conducting investigations to obtain facts, study of legal precedents and preparation and recommendation.

 

1. Experience working with trade related issues, participating in negotiations, and providing legal advice for negotiations.

Required Documents:

• For qualification determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Your resume should be no more than 2 pages.

 

• A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. Once selected and prior to appointment, you must provide an official transcript. (Applicant must be a Graduate with a J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association).

 

• A certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. When submitting your resume, you must provide a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing that applicant is duly licensed to practice law as an attorney and was so licensed for at least one year prior under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the U.S. Constitution.

 

• Your most recent compensation statement or SF-50 reflecting salary (If applicable).

Are you a current or former Federal employee ? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s.

Are you a veteran ? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference. The member 4 copy of your DD214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).If applying based on eligibility under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.



 
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title,
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
• Agency Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Application Submission:
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please read this announcement in its entirety and all instructions prior to submitting an application. For consideration, applications must include the required documentation. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date.

Eligible applicants will be referred for interviews to the hiring manager/selecting official by the Office of Human Capital.

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