Full-time - This is a full-time position. Work schedules, including telework, are at the discretion of the supervisor, consistent with agency policy and reentry planning.
This position is in the Enforcement Bureau, Telecommunications Consumers Division, Washington, DC.
The FCC is an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, and acts as the primary authority for regulating interstate and international communications, implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations, and related technological innovation. Within the FCC, the Enforcement Bureau (EB) is primarily responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Communications Act and the Commission’s rules, orders, and various licensing terms and conditions. In addition to general enforcement and deterrence goals, EB dedicates its resources to investigations and enforcement actions involving FCC-regulated services and equipment that significantly impact:
Consumer Protection, Privacy, Data Security, and Cybersecurity;
Supply Chain Integrity and National Security;
Public Safety, Emergency Services, and Harmful Interference;
Fraud Targeting Critical FCC-Funded and -Administered Programs; and
Fair Competition and Equal Opportunities.
EB’s work further supports the FCC’s mission to strengthen the defense of the nation’s communications infrastructure. That work is of vital importance as communications and related technologies are critical in today’s world, where life is increasingly data-driven and interconnected. Continuingly evolving communications technologies not only give consumers access to the wider world, but also act as an attack vector for wrongdoers. Within EB the Telecommunications Consumers Division (TCD) investigates many of the Commission’s highest profile consumer protection cases, including those focused on combatting illegal robocalls and protecting consumer privacy. Attorneys on TCD’s Privacy Team investigate issues relating to consumer privacy, data protection, supply chain, and cybersecurity issues in potentially high-profile incidents, sometimes affecting millions of consumers. These attorneys work on cases involving myriad and often cutting-edge technologies. TCD Privacy Team cases typically require critical and creative thinking, an ability to learn about both new technology and methods of attack, and coordination with other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities. The Privacy Team’s cases offer attorneys a chance to work on fast-paced, high stakes, and intellectually challenging investigations that can implicate both individual consumer and broader security risks. In addition to investigative work, TCD Privacy Team attorneys have the opportunity to advance policies related to consumer protection, data security, and cybersecurity, leverage cooperation among other federal, state, and local entities, and continually develop their skills and knowledge. TCD Privacy Team attorneys coordinate with other FCC bureaus and offices to provide relevant expertise for use in rulemakings and other policy proceedings. Both EB and TCD attorneys maintain working relationships with counterparts at other federal agencies (including Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission) and international regulatory organizations to heighten awareness of relevant legal and privacy issues. The purpose of this position is to serve as an Attorney Advisor. This position is responsible for providing advice and guidance on legal issues pertaining primarily to privacy, data security, and cybersecurity, and the enforcement of Sections 201 and 222 of the Communications Act and the Commission’s rules. The incumbent works on moderate to highly complex legal cases. These cases typically involve complicated factual situations where clear precedents are not readily available or apparent. The incumbent applies rigorous critical thinking and analysis skills to solve problems, make recommendations to supervisors, and executes tasks needed to complete investigations and issue legal actions. Decisions about legal conclusions based upon the facts and the relevant legal authorities are made in conjunction with the supervisor. Incumbent performs very specific functions which are moderate to complex. In some instances, incumbent will work in teams; in others, incumbent will serve as the lead attorney on an investigation, with the guidance and oversight of a supervisor. Incumbent researches various issues related to case or legal problems and drafts the relevant document for that issue. Incumbent may take depositions on matters related to the case. In carrying out his/her duties, the incumbent: (1) conducts investigations and makes findings of fact; (2) prepares charging documents (Notices of Apparent Liability, Citations, and Forfeiture Orders) for Division, Bureau, or full Commission approval; (3) negotiates or assists with negotiation of settlements with targets of investigations where appropriate, and; (4) drafts recommendations for policies to advance the Commission’s consumer protection objectives.
Bar Membership Documentation Required Upon Selection.
Education-Transcripts Required Upon Selection.
US Citizenship.
Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 to verify grade, status
Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.
ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
In order to be deemed as "BEST QUALIFIED" candidates must meet both the educational requirements AND the Specialized Experience.
A. Education
You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M.
NOTE-If you do not provide a transcript at the time of application, a transcript will be required to be provided at the time of selection.
AND
B. Specialized Experience
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:
GS -11 Specialized Experience: No specialized experience required according to FCC internal Attorney Advisor recruitment procedures; only educational qualification requirements are required to be met. Education requirements include: a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M.
GS -12 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of professional law experience and a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following: 1. Conducting in-depth legal research; 2. Drafting legal documents; and 3. Providing input regarding the resolution of legal issues.
GS -13 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least two years of professional law experience and a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following: 1. Conducting in-depth legal research; 2. Preparing complex legal documents; 3. Developing research strategies for legal issues; and 4. Making oral presentations, to communicating research results.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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
Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the "Qualifications" section.
Other: - Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.
- If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.
- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
*NOTE-This position is in the bargaining unit. The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.
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.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance Life Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Long-Term Care Insurance Holidays and Leave Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Transit Benefit Alternative Work Schedule Telecommuting
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All candidates will be considered without regard to political or religious affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap, age, or any other non-merit factor. THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who do not submit a supporting resume will be rated ineligible.
There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:
1. the core questions 2. supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, transcripts, bar membership); and 4. your resume.
Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process
You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs): • Knowledge of research strategies and techniques to research legal issues where no clearly applicable precedents are available. • Ability to communicate in writing in order to produce legal documents. • Knowledge of the policies, rules and regulations, and relevant case law. • Ability to communicate orally on issues related to in-depth legal research.
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.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance Life Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Long-Term Care Insurance Holidays and Leave Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Transit Benefit Alternative Work Schedule Telecommuting
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.
Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement.
You must submit a resume at the time of application. Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.
ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.
Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
Proof of current, active bar membership.
Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues.
Professional references.
Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Supplemental Documents Required:
Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent annual performance appraisal and an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
Transcripts
Bar Membership
If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.
Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge. Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.
If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.
Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts.
NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20554
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement.
You must submit a resume at the time of application. Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.
ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.
Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
Proof of current, active bar membership.
Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues.
Professional references.
Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Supplemental Documents Required:
Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent annual performance appraisal and an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
Transcripts
Bar Membership
If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.
Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge. Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.
If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.
Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts.
NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20554
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
