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ATTORNEY ADVISER

Securities and Exchange Commission
Office of Support Operations
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Office of Support Operations (OSO), Office of FOIA Services located in Washington, DC.

If selected, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for ensuring that the SEC remains in compliance with federal laws regarding records creation, maintenance, and disposition.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/20/2023 to 08/02/2023
Salary
$140,830 to - $238,592 per year

Starting salary is based on experience. The range is listed for informational purposes. Initial pay will be set below the maximum. See more below.

Pay scale & grade
SK 14
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-EX-12058901-BS
Control number
738542600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

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Duties

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At the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and value a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the communities we serve. As such, we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds who share our commitment to public service.

  • As a senior FOIA attorney the employee works on a team of FOIA professionals under a Branch Chief researching the interpretations of statutes and rules, developing arguments addressing highly complex legal and factual issues, reviewing and redacting complex sets of records, drafting correspondence, and responding to FOIA requests.
  • Performs analyses on the interpretation and application of the FOIA's statutory provisions as well as related laws and regulations, court rulings, precedents, and legislation changes that impact the SEC's FOIA program and operations.
  • Provides authoritative advice on FOIA policy and legal issues confronting the SEC which are highly sensitive and confidential and may cut across organizational lines.
  • Prepares probing and innovative written legal analyses, arguments, briefs, or other analytical documents addressing the development, interpretation, or implementation of sensitive public policies and transparency principles.
  • Represents the agency in meetings, conferences, and negotiations with representatives of other federal agencies, counsel representing the industry, and academic and industry legal experts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • CITIZENSHIP: This position is open to US Citizens.
  • You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree.
  • You must be an active member of the bar in good standing
  • Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions may result in you not being considered for this position.
  • Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
  • This position has promotion potential to the SK-14.
  • TRIAL PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two-year trial period.
  • SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
  • DRUG TESTING: This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
  • PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
  • DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • This position is in the collective bargaining unit.
  • This position is eligible to request telework in accordance with the SEC 's telework policy.
  • Existing Participants in the SEC's Remote Telework Program are eligible to apply for this position. If selected, management will evaluate and communicate whether the position will allow for continued participation in Remote Telework.

Qualifications

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

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following

  • J.D. or LL.B. degree --AND--
  • Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.

  • SK-14: Applicant must have at least three (3) years of post J.D. experience identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as memoranda, correspondence, and orders, which also includes at least two (2) years of experience: 1) developing and providing briefings and training programs on FOIA statutory, regulatory and policy requirements, interpreting historical and current FOIA judicial decisions and precedents; AND 2) providing a broad range of legal advisory services on questions of law for a federal agency and/or private sector firm focused on all aspects of FOIA administration.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade; however, a selectee's initial pay is always set below the maximum rate of the range. Please click here for additional information.

Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, please visit http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is available to individuals who have special priority selection rights under this plan. Individuals must be minimally qualified for this position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP eligibles will be considered minimally qualified if they meet the minimum requirements for this position.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation for disability to participate in the application process at the SEC, submit the form for Reasonable Accommodation for Participation in Job Application Process here. Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: Federal EEO laws protect all applicants from discrimination on the following bases: race, color, sex (not limited to conduct which is sexual in nature, includes pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender status), age (40 and over), religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, retaliation for participating in the EEO process or opposing discrimination. Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against on any EEO basis can seek recourse through the SEC's administrative complaints process. To be timely, an individual must enter the EEO process within 45 days from when they know (or should have known) of the alleged discrimination. Click here for additional information.

TTY/ASCII: Video Relay Service users are welcome to contact the appropriate SEC office or employee via the contact information listed above. If you do not otherwise have access to a Video Phone or Video Relay service, you may send us an email or use the Federal Video Relay Service via the internet. For more information about using the Federal Relay Service and to create a new account, please see: https://www.federalrelay.us/

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants will be notified of their application status once the vacancy announcement has closed. Applicants that have a tentative eligible rating will be referred to the hiring office for review.

The resume review panel, designated by the hiring office, will review your application, including the Assessment Questionnaire. Your resume must support your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire and demonstrate your qualifications for the position. Additional application materials submitted outside of the USAJOBs system or after the position is closed will not be accepted, unless requested by the hiring office as part of the evaluation process (e.g. writing sample).

Once the resume review panel has completed their review of all applicants, they will recommend the top candidates for interview. The hiring office will schedule the interview(s) directly with the recommended candidates.

When the selection is made, applicants will be sent a referral status notification and a final disposition notification.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following competencies:
Attention to Detail, Legal, Government and Jurisprudence, Oral Communication, Reasoning, and Written Communication

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. To preview the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12058901

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