The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is looking for a passionate and dedicated individual with extensive litigation experience as well as outstanding leadership and analytical skills to serve as Associate General Counsel for the Litigation Division of the Office of General Counsel. Responsible for supervising and overseeing the division representing the FEC, which has independent litigation authority, in the U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
Summary
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is looking for a passionate and dedicated individual with extensive litigation experience as well as outstanding leadership and analytical skills to serve as Associate General Counsel for the Litigation Division of the Office of General Counsel. Responsible for supervising and overseeing the division representing the FEC, which has independent litigation authority, in the U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
As the Associate General Counsel for Litigation in this position, you will:
Represent the Commission which has independent litigation authority by serving as first chair and supervising the argument of cases in all courts, including U.S. District Courts and Courts of Appeal, State Courts, where applicable, and the U.S. Supreme Court, on cases requiring expert knowledge and management on cases with nation-wide and Constitutional impact.
Monitor and research litigation nationwide to assess potential impact on FEC's litigation practice and the Agency's interest, including complex cases of constitutional import.
Serve as OGC's principal liaison to the Department of Justice with respect to civil litigation in both FECA and non-FECA matters that may impact the agency.
Serve as senior advisor to the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel, the Commissioners, and other senior managers in the Commission concerning the Commission's litigation activities, program and risks.
Integrate human capital strategies with the Agency's core mission and business practices by fostering a performance-oriented culture and establishing performance management systems that assess and reward employee performance based on organizational goals and values.
You must be able to pass a background investigation.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
You will be required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278 on an annual basis.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and education requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. A copy of your unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application.
Basic Requirements:
A. A law degree (J.D or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
AND
B. Bar Membership: Be an active member in good standing of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
AND
Minimum Qualifications:
Your resume must include evidence of the following experience, including dates.
You must have 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, civil or criminal law enforcement, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-15 level. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting extensive legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching precedent or opinions bearing on a legal issue; (2) managing, organizing, and planning work activities for a program or program area; (3) providing guidance in establishing the course and conduct of investigations; (4) testifying and presenting in proceedings and other hearings, trials, and depositions; and (5) analyzing complex legal issues having to do with campaign finance law, including regulatory and constitutional issues.
In addition, you must provide a cover letter describing your experience with the competencies identified below:
Litigation -- Experience with all aspects of district court and appellate litigation, including drafting of briefs and other
filings; drafting written discovery and taking depositions; negotiating settlements; developing case and appellate
strategy; and presenting oral arguments.
Leadership -- Ability to influence, motivate, and challenge others and to adapt your leadership style to a variety of situations. Ability to supervise staff and to perform the full range of human resources, as well as providing direction in the development of legal initiatives and related policies.
Legal Writing/Analysis -- Ability to write clearly, concisely and persuasively, particularly when complex legal issues are involved, and to edit and review the written work of other attorneys. Ability to research, analyze, and explain complex legal issues involving constitutional, jurisdictional, and other relevant matters.
Communication -- Ability to communicate - both written and oral - including the ability to have productive relationships with colleagues and others within and outside the agency.
Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
Volunteer or unpaid experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you received a degree, the transcript must show the date the degree was awarded or conferred.
A self-created transcript, or a list of courses you have prepared, is not acceptable.
Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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, click Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). You must provide translated transcripts.
Additional information
This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.
FEC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules, telework and transportation subsidies.
If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
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.
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.
Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process which will determine the best qualified candidates.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
Category Rating: Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your résumé and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this position. If, after reviewing your résumé and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, your category rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your skills and abilities, or you may be rated ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are:
Best Qualified: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for this position.
Highly Qualified: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for this position.
Qualified: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements for this position.
The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package including the documents listed below. We strongly encourage applicants to doublecheck that all required items are properly submitted to ensure consideration.
Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held.
Unofficial law school transcripts to verify you meet the educational requirements of this position. All applicants are required to submit unofficial law school transcripts prior to the closing of this announcement. If selected for this position, you will be required to submit official law school transcripts upon entry into duty. Only transcripts from accredited law school websites will be accepted.
Cover Letter which addresses the competencies identified in the Qualifications section above.
Bar License to verify you are licensed and in good standing to practice law as an Attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. You must submit a copy of your current Bar card, or letter of good standing.
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating. Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 and the documentation required by that form. Active Duty Service Members: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/04/2024 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Federal Election Commission
1050 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20463
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications.
Additional phases of the review process will determine the best qualified candidates, and whether or not your application is referred to the selecting official. You will be contacted directly if further evaluation or an interview is required. You will receive notifications by email about the status of your application throughout this process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package including the documents listed below. We strongly encourage applicants to doublecheck that all required items are properly submitted to ensure consideration.
Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held.
Unofficial law school transcripts to verify you meet the educational requirements of this position. All applicants are required to submit unofficial law school transcripts prior to the closing of this announcement. If selected for this position, you will be required to submit official law school transcripts upon entry into duty. Only transcripts from accredited law school websites will be accepted.
Cover Letter which addresses the competencies identified in the Qualifications section above.
Bar License to verify you are licensed and in good standing to practice law as an Attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. You must submit a copy of your current Bar card, or letter of good standing.
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating. Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 and the documentation required by that form. Active Duty Service Members: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/04/2024 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Federal Election Commission
1050 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20463
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications.
Additional phases of the review process will determine the best qualified candidates, and whether or not your application is referred to the selecting official. You will be contacted directly if further evaluation or an interview is required. You will receive notifications by email about the status of your application throughout this process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
