Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public-All US Citizens

The incumbent serves as an attorney advisor in IHD.  The incumbent represents the Enforcement Bureau in administrative hearing proceedings before a presiding officer conducted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 556 regarding applications, revocation, forfeitures and other matters designated for hearing. 

In carrying out their duties, the incumbent (1) prepares for and/or participates in administrative trials/proceedings; (2) drafts comprehensive legal documents such as memoranda, requests for documents and interrogatories, procedural motions, and substantive case briefs; (3) conducts legal research and analysis; (4) interprets applicable law and policy and documents and information received in response to information requests; (5) develops an evidentiary record; (6) prepares for and/or takes depositions; (7) cross-examines witnesses; and (8) negotiates case resolutions. 

The incumbent works on highly complex legal cases.  These cases typically involve complicated factual situations where clear precedents are not readily available or apparent.  These are often characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex, difficult issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; (2) matters that can have an important impact on major industry parties whose economic position affects major private and public interests; (3) matters of intense public interest and impact. 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, with the incumbent playing a critical role in (1) identifying, (2) researching, and (3) communicating accurate, timely, and appropriately detailed information to support well-reasoned legal conclusions and informed decision-making at all levels.

The incumbent is responsible for the proper interpretation of the Communications Act, the Commission’s rules, regulations, and policies, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and/or similar administrative and appellate rules and procedures.

The incumbent keeps abreast of legal developments affecting enforcement issues related to broadcast licensees, MPVDs, and/or wireless licensees through a review of court and Commission decisions, professional publications, and trade press. 

Conditions of employment

• 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
• SF-50 Documenting One Year of Time in Grade Required

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.

SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL 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. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov

Qualifications

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

For GS-15:  Applicants must possess at least four years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, examples of specialized experience includes:

1. Preparing for and/or conducting or participating in civil, criminal, or administrative trials/proceedings.
2. Drafting comprehensive legal documents such as memoranda, requests for documents and interrogatories, procedural motions, and case-determinative briefs.
3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting recommendations on complex and novel legal issues presented in documents and information received in response to information requests and in other parties’ procedural and substantive motions and briefs.
4. Providing advice and guidance on the Communications Act, the Commission’s rules, regulations, and policies, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and/or similar administrative and appellate rules and procedures.
5. Making oral presentations, communicating legal research results and case recommendations, and defending legal positions at all levels of authority.
6. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority.

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.

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
3.  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.