Attorney-Advisor

The Office of the Secretary serves as the focal point for all matters and documents submitted to and emanating from the Commission. The Office receives and processes a variety of documents filed by the public including: formal and informal complaints initiating proceedings involving alleged violations of the shipping statutes; special docket applications and applications to correct clerical or administrative errors in service contracts; all communications petitions pleadings briefs or other legal instruments in regulatory and administrative proceedings; and subpoenas served on the Commission or its members.

The incumbent functions as an Attorney-Advisor to the Secretary. The incumbent provides a full range of legal advice to the Secretary on issues arising under the Shipping Act and other legal and procedural statutes and regulations.

As an Attorney Advisor you will:

• Review and issue legal documents (i.e. orders decisions or other notices) pursuant to actions of the Commission.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research with minimal guidance including examination of applicable laws statutes regulations administrative and court decisions and other materials necessary for ensuring and supporting sound decisions resolving factual and legal issues that may affect the Office of the Secretary.
• Review formal and informal complaints for legal sufficiency and compliance with statutory requirements and the Commissions Rules of Practices and Procedure.
• Administer the agencys Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs to process all FOIA and Privacy Act requests and consultations and complete all required reporting.
• Conduct legal research and provide recommendations regarding Privacy Act Systems of Records Notices (SORNs) the Congressional Review Act (CRA) the Government in the Sunshine Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

• 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:

• Noncriminal Justice Applicants 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
• () (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)

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 ABAs 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-11: You must have one year of professional law experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.

OR

You have the experience required above plus a second professional law degree that requires one full year of graduate study OR You possess the first professional law degree and your record shows superior law student work or activities.

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.

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. Examples of specialized experience include conducting civil litigation including discovery and of trial practice; and providing legal guidance to attorneys and other professionals.