Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

The positions are located in the Division of Enforcement, Division of Marketing Practices, Division of Advertising Practices, Division of Financial Practices, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, Southwest Regional Office, and Western Region San Francisco.

The Division of Enforcement litigates civil contempt and civil penalty actions to enforce federal court injunctions and administrative orders in FTC consumer protection cases; coordinates FTC actions with criminal law enforcement agencies through its Criminal Liaison Unit; develops, reviews, and enforces consumer protection rules; coordinates multi-pronged initiatives to address current consumer protection issues; and administers the BCP's bankruptcy program.

The Division of Marketing Practices leads the Bureau's fraud program, filing actions in federal district court against entities perpetrating telemarketing, online, or direct mail frauds such as sham business opportunities, fraudulent investment schemes, and technical support scams. It also focuses on entities that facilitate frauds, such as payment processors, lead generators, and VoIP service providers, and directs the Bureau's Do Not Call Program. The Division fights fraud that targets or disproportionately affects particular segments of the population, such as lower-income communities, communities of color, older adults, and others.

The Division of Advertising Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive advertising for a broad range of products and services, including: foods, dietary supplements, and drugs including those marketed to treat, cure, or prevent COVID-19; addiction-related services; emerging issues such as social media influencers, online reviews, native advertising, and other digital advertising techniques; and broadband providers, online ticket sellers, online travel sites, and other national advertisers. In addition, DAP leads the agency's efforts against the deceptive and unfair marketing of tobacco (including e-cigarettes), monitoring and reporting on tobacco marketing practices, and reviewing and approving tobacco company labels and ads. The Division also enforces the Contact Lens Rule and the Eyeglass Rule. Finally, DAP monitors and reports on alcohol industry self-regulation, bringing law enforcement actions as needed.

The Division of Financial Practices brings enforcement actions and works on policy projects across a variety of critical financial areas, including mobile and financial technology, lead generation and short-term lending, student loans and education, auto sales and financing, debt collection, debt relief, and deception relating to other financial services. The Division enforces statutes and rules to protect consumers in the financial marketplace from false information and unfair business practices. Additionally, the Division engages in rulemaking, outreach, and education about developing financial products and services to help prevent consumer harms in these areas.

The Division of Privacy and Identity Protection oversees issues related to consumer privacy, credit reporting, identity theft, and information security. The Division enforces the statutes and rules within its jurisdiction, engages in outreach and policy development, and educates consumers and businesses about emerging privacy, credit reporting, and information security issues, as well as identity theft prevention and assistance. BCP enforces consumer protection laws through aggressive litigation in a fast-paced environment. Attorneys get the opportunity to lead cases, and take on primary responsibility for all aspects of the litigation.

The Southwest Region plays an integral role in fulfilling the FTC's consumer protection mission. The office enforces federal consumer protection laws through investigations, litigation, and other projects that touch on a wide variety of consumer protection issues, such as privacy, false advertising, and frauds and scams. It also addresses unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices by collaborating with state and local consumer protection partners and by educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.

The Western Region San Francisco plays an integral role in fulfilling the FTC's consumer protection mission. The office enforces federal consumer protection laws through investigations, litigation, and other projects that touch on a wide variety of consumer protection issues, such as privacy, false advertising, and frauds and scams. It also addresses unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices by collaborating with state and local consumer protection partners and by educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory - US, PR, DC.
• The position may be subject to completion of a two-year trial period.
• The position is not in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

As a General Attorney (Trade Regulation), you will:

- Make initial determinations as to whether matters should be investigated.

-Determine legal theories and plans for investigations and litigation and carry them out.

- Recommend whether cases should be closed, resolved informally or through administrative or federal court settlements, or litigated administratively or in federal court.

- Investigate matters, including deceptive acts and practices related to COVID-19, and engage in all aspects of civil litigation, including preparing cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence; conferring with witnesses; deposing witnesses; drafting motions and legal briefs; drafting and responding to discovery requests; participating in pretrial conferences; examining and cross-examining witnesses; trying cases; and negotiating settlements.- Prepare and prosecute difficult, complex, and important cases.

- Confer with government agencies, public authorities and attorneys, business people and other members of the public, providing them with information on matters of law, Commission procedure and policy.

- In FTC Regional Offices, build state and local partnerships, and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.


Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency.


Additional Requirements

GS-12 Positions
For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-12 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level.Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level include examples such as working on non-complex litigation matters and performing basic legal research, drafting, and legal analysis.

GS-13 Positions
For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-13 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level include examples such as work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analysis, and effective oral communications.

GS-14 Positions
For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-14 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level include examples such as independently plan, organize and conduct analysis of the matters on which they are working, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by the supervisor. Their written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. At this level, attorneys are journeymen attorneys whose work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. They contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, they should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. Attorneys at this level take charge of basic matters, moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters.

GS-15 Positions
For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-15 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school to qualify for the GS-15 level. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-14 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-15 level include examples such as being an outstanding writer and highly effective oral advocate. They must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. They must function independently and their work should not require close supervision or substantive review. The supervisor must have complete confidence in their judgment. At this level, they should be recognized for their competence. They should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, all stages in the appeal of such a case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists.

Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the Federal Government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school 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

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on the overall strength of your credentials as demonstrated by your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and experience. The most qualified candidates will be selected for interviews, which will also be considered in making the final decision. Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Federal Trade Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. If you are eligible for veterans' preference, you are encouraged to include that information in your cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214 or other substantiating documents) to your submission.