Assistant Chief Counsel

As an Assistant Chief Counsel you will:

• Plan direct and control legal services of the Division. Analyze activities and cases which involve extremely complex and novel legalquestions or require a high order of originality and competence to resolve. Assign work to the Division attorneys for review andapproval of legal opinions and decisions.
• Provide legal opinions and interpretations on statutes and regulations applicable to motor carrier operations and FMCSA enforcement program and policies including in the areas of safety commercial passenger carrier and hazardous materials regulation.
• Direct the work of subordinate legal professionals reviews and edits draft documents hires and trains new attorneys and identifies opportunities for continued professional development.
• Coordinate judicial defense of FMCSA rulemaking and other final agency action through the DOT Office of General Counsel and of Justice.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience researching drafting and reviewing litigation filings and analyzing complex legal issues and atleast some experience arguing before judicial or administrative tribunals. The ideal candidate also will have demonstrated creativity in legalproblem solving worked directly with clients and have strong emotional intelligence and people skills and outstanding verbal and writing or she should be an effective communicator and advocate in formal and informal settings in both large organizations and small groups. Weare seeking a well- organized highly intelligent persuasive leader with experience supervising attorneys. Familiarity with the Administrative
Procedure Act and Federal rulemaking processes is valuable and a general familiarity with FOIA the Privacy Act and other statutes applicable toFederal agencies is also a plus. Knowledge of motor carrier or other transportation law is useful but not required.

Immerse yourself in the heart of interstate commercial truck and bus safety. This opportunity for a mid-career attorney offers you the chance to serve the American people lead a talented group of lawyers and paralegals support mission-driven and highly energized program colleaguesmaster and improve a body of Federal regulations and leave your mark on reauthorizing legislation. Gain experience supervising and mentoring other professionals while continuing to keep your own legal skills sharp. This job offers daily legal puzzles engagement with Congress the public and other external stakeholders creative problem solving limitless and unpredictable scenarios and hours of spirited debate over regulatory
operations and enforcement. Please join us as we strive to keep our Nations roadways safe!

• You must be a and eligible for consideration.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• This is an Excepted Service position.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE:Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• TRIAL PERIOD:This is anExcepted Serviceposition. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted serviceposition may be subject to a two-year trial period.
• ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT:All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations section 2635 including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations section 263.
• PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT:Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Relocation and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and aservice agreement may be required.
• SCHEDULE POLICY/CAREER: As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be serving in a position in Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service. You will obtain competitive status after two years of service in this positionif applicable. Your employment in this position will be at-will. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals of adverse actions concerning performance discipline and other matters arising under chapters 23 43 and 75 of title 5 United States Code will not be available to an individual serving in this position. Prohibitions on prohibited personnel practices will be enforced by the DOT Office of General Counsel and not the Office of Special Counsel.

To qualify your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

GRADE 15 - You must possess a law degree and bar membership in good standing.

• Experience interpreting and applying safety statutes and regulations and supporting development and /or implementation of nationalenforcement policies and guidance is highly relevant.
• Experience leading and/or supervising attorneys and other legal staff.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge skills abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Legal Government and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws legal codes court procedures precedents legal practices and documentsGovernment regulations Executive orders agency rules Government organization and functions and the democratic political process.
• Leadership - Influences motivates and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
• Interpersonal Skills ()- Treats others with courtesy sensitivity and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
• Writing (*)- Recognizes or uses correct English grammar punctuation and spelling; communicates information (for example facts ideas or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions please click on the following link: applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.