The Attorney Honors Program is the FCC’s primary vehicle for hiring entry-level attorneys. AHP participants serve in a two-year employment and training program designed to introduce them to the field of communications law and policy. The FCC encourages law students in their final year of study, recent law school graduates, and current judicial clerks with superior academic credentials and an interest in public service and communications law to apply. See www.fcc.gov/attorneyhonorsprogram.
Summary
The Attorney Honors Program is the FCC’s primary vehicle for hiring entry-level attorneys. AHP participants serve in a two-year employment and training program designed to introduce them to the field of communications law and policy. The FCC encourages law students in their final year of study, recent law school graduates, and current judicial clerks with superior academic credentials and an interest in public service and communications law to apply. See www.fcc.gov/attorneyhonorsprogram.
Term - Excepted Term Appointment Not to Exceed 2 years.
Work schedule
Full-time - This is a full-time position. Work schedules, including telework, are at the discretion of the supervisor, consistent with agency policy.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11 - If selected for the GS-904-11 Honors Attorney (Law Clerk) position, the full performance level is GS-11. If selected for the GS-905-12 or GS-905-13 Honors Attorney (Attorney Advisor) position the full performance level is GS-13.
Yes - The GS-904-11 Honors Attorneys (Law Clerks) are excluded from the bargaining unit. GS-904-11 Law Clerks are eligible to be non-competitively converted to a temporary Honors Attorney (Attorney Advisor) position upon passing the bar.
GS-905-12/13 Honors Attorney (Attorney Advisors) are included in the bargaining unit. The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.
Honors Attorneys gain valuable experience and benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences. Attorneys at the FCC draft decisions in adjudicatory and rule-making matters, work with internal and external constituencies to resolve complex policy issues before the agency, participate in international negotiations, represent the FCC in dealings with other government agencies, Congress and the private sector, and defend FCC decisions in the federal courts. Additionally, Honors Attorneys benefit from a specialized training and career-development curriculum designed specifically for the program. Typically, Honors Attorneys:
Conduct legal research, compile facts and background information, search authorities and precedents on points of law, and draft legal documents, reports, and memoranda;
Study the record in cases pending before the agency and prepare drafts on the law and facts;
Research legal and policy matters involved in special projects, including interpretations of treaties, statutes, and regulations; prepare written authoritative opinions; and prepare responses to inquiries from members of the public concerning communications law, policy, and procedures; and/or
Examine formal filings such as applications for licenses or other authorities, petitions and responsive pleadings, formal and informal complaints and inquiries, and various reports and statements required to be filed under the Commission's rules; analyze questions of law and fact, conduct the necessary research, and prepare appropriate documents recommending dispositive action.
GS-12/13 Honors Attorneys: Bar membership required at time of appointment.
Must submit an official or unofficial law school transcript.
U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
Must submit a list of three professional references (with phone and email).
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Resume must be limited to two pages.
Must submit a cover letter.
Must submit a writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages).
General Eligibility Requirements. You are eligible to apply during the fall application window for the 2026 Attorney Honors Program if you are a:
Current law student who will graduate in the spring or summer of 2026;
Graduate law student who will complete your course of study by the summer of 2026;
Federal, state, or municipal judicial clerk serving during the 2025-26 judicial term; or
Recent law students who graduated in the spring or summer of 2025.
Qualifications
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Before making a selection, the FCC reviews many facets of a candidate's background as outlined below. Graduating law students, recent law students who graduated in the spring or summer of 2025, and current judicial clerks with strong qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Current federal employees must meet one year of time in grade requirements. SF-50 must be provided to document time in grade.
Transcripts must be submitted to verify education. If transcripts (official or unofficial) are not submitted, candidates will not be deemed eligible for this position. If you are unsure if your school is accredited, please use the following link to verify:Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
GS-11 QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
Candidates must either (a) be enrolled in an accredited degree-seeking program in pursuit of a J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law degree and be scheduled to complete their course of study by the summer of 2026; or (b) have recently completed their J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law program in the spring or summer of 2025 or have successfully completed their J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law program and be currently serving as a judicial clerk. (See “General Eligibility Requirements” for additional criteria).
Transcripts must be submitted to verify education. If transcripts (official or unofficial) are not submitted, candidates will not be deemed eligible for this position. If you are unsure if your school is accredited, please use the following link to verify: Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
NOTE: Candidates must have successfully completed their J.D. or LL.M. program by the summer of 2026 in order to be eligible for appointment as an Honors Attorney at the FCC.
GS-12/13 QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
Professional Law Experience: 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. You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Honors Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree, J.D., LL.B. or LL.M., or other graduate law program.
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
GS-12
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of professional law experience and specialized experience in or equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience include the following:
Conducting in-depth legal research
Drafting legal documents and/or memoranda
Providing input regarding the resolution of legal issues
GS-13
Applicants must possess at least two years of professional law experience and specialized experience and at least one year of the experience must be specialized experience which is at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. For this position, examples of specialized experience include the following:
Experience interpreting laws, statutes, regulations and/or rule making documents
Skill analyzing legal issues, identifying potential problems and proposing solutions
Experience preparing legal documents to include briefs, legal memoranda, issue papers, and case summaries
Ability to communicate legal issues/positions.
Qualifying Experience
Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to: academic achievement, writing skills, law review and/or moot court experience, clinic or extracurricular activities.
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
SEE INFORMATION OUTLINED UNDER THE SUBHEADING "QUALIFICATIONS".
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you may be eligible for federal employment and may apply for the Honors Attorney Program if you fall into one of the following categories of individuals:
Individuals who are lawful permanent residents seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
Individuals who are admitted refugees under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and have filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
Individuals who owe allegiance to the United States (e.g., nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island.)
(Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. E, Title VII, § 704, December 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1182.)
In addition to meeting one of the criteria listed above, you are still subject to the requirements of immigration law. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to being hired. If you are selected as an FCC Honors Attorney, you must also successfully complete a background investigation.
For more information about citizenship requirements for federal employment, please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/non-citizens. If you have additional questions about the eligibility of non-U.S. citizens for the FCC Attorney Honors Program, please contact Kristin Young in the FCC Office of Human Resources at Kristin.Young@fcc.gov.
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.
- Required to serve a trial period. All time served on the temporary Honors Attorney appointment serves as the trial period.
- 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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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 evaluated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position.
At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions.
1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.
HOW YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE EVALUATED
Once the announcement has closed, you will received an automated notification stating that your application has been received and is being reviewed for the purposes of determining whether or not the application package meets the required eligibility and qualification criteria. Subject matter experts will review the submitted application package and will determine whether or not candidates meet the required eligibility and qualification criteria. If the subject matter expert determines that candidates meet the qualification criteria, any such candidates will be notified via e-mail confirming that their application will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. If the subject matter expert determines that candidates do not meet the qualification criteria, any such candidates will be notified confirming that their application will not be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
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.
Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
Include a cover letter to share skills and goals relevant to this application.
Your DD-214 or Statement of Service shows if you qualify for Veterans' Preference, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 or the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heros Act. We prefer the member 4 copy of your DD-214.
If you are a disabled veteran and want to claim preference, you must submit a letter on VA letterhead with your overall combined service-connected disability rating.
Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.
See the job announcement for what you should include in the supplemental application.
Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.
Some job applications require you to include a writing sample. See the announcement for details.
Each of the following documents should be submitted as a separate PDF file, with your last name as part of the file name.
Cover letter
Resume (MUST BE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES)
Transcripts (official or unofficial)
Writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages)
List of three professional references (including phone and e-mail address)
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if they do not provide any one of the documents outlined above.
Required Documents Details
Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. 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.
Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below:
Contact Information
Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.
Relevant Work Experience
Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022)
The number of hours you worked per week
Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.
Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.
ADDITIONAL RESUME INFORMATION
For optional resume information which you are welcome to include in your resume, though not required, please refer to the following OPM applicant guidance: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit
To learn more about how to write a federal, two page resume, please feel free to refer to the following USAJOBS Help Center web page: How to Write a 2 Page Federal Resume
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.
For the 2026 Attorney Honors Program, applicants should apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. You must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.
Please ensure that all attachments which are uploaded to your application are titled as follows: "Last Name.First Name" and then the title of the document. For example, if uploading a transcript, the title of the attachment should read as "Smith.John-Transcript".
Your application, including resume and any other required application documentation 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/faq/application/process
As outlined in the "Required Documents Details" section of the announcement, resumes must meet be no longer than two pages in length and must meet the resume formatting requirements.
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. 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
Selected applicants may be invited for interviews. The FCC reviews applications as quickly as possible. Our typical review and selection process involves both interviews and reference checks. All positions for the Attorney Honors Program are located at the FCC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Honors Attorneys are placed in one of the agency's operating bureaus or offices. Specific placements within the agency will be based on the participant’s interests and experience and the needs of the FCC. Honors Attorneys may have the opportunity to rotate to a new placement within the agency after their first year. Participants who enter the fall 2026 class will be expected to begin their employment with the agency by September 2026. At the end of the two-year program, Honors Program attorneys will be eligible for consideration for continued employment at the FCC.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
Include a cover letter to share skills and goals relevant to this application.
Your DD-214 or Statement of Service shows if you qualify for Veterans' Preference, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 or the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heros Act. We prefer the member 4 copy of your DD-214.
If you are a disabled veteran and want to claim preference, you must submit a letter on VA letterhead with your overall combined service-connected disability rating.
Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.
See the job announcement for what you should include in the supplemental application.
Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.
Some job applications require you to include a writing sample. See the announcement for details.
Each of the following documents should be submitted as a separate PDF file, with your last name as part of the file name.
Cover letter
Resume (MUST BE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES)
Transcripts (official or unofficial)
Writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages)
List of three professional references (including phone and e-mail address)
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if they do not provide any one of the documents outlined above.
Required Documents Details
Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. 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.
Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below:
Contact Information
Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.
Relevant Work Experience
Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022)
The number of hours you worked per week
Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.
Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.
ADDITIONAL RESUME INFORMATION
For optional resume information which you are welcome to include in your resume, though not required, please refer to the following OPM applicant guidance: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit
To learn more about how to write a federal, two page resume, please feel free to refer to the following USAJOBS Help Center web page: How to Write a 2 Page Federal Resume
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.
For the 2026 Attorney Honors Program, applicants should apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. You must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.
Please ensure that all attachments which are uploaded to your application are titled as follows: "Last Name.First Name" and then the title of the document. For example, if uploading a transcript, the title of the attachment should read as "Smith.John-Transcript".
Your application, including resume and any other required application documentation 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/faq/application/process
As outlined in the "Required Documents Details" section of the announcement, resumes must meet be no longer than two pages in length and must meet the resume formatting requirements.
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. 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
Selected applicants may be invited for interviews. The FCC reviews applications as quickly as possible. Our typical review and selection process involves both interviews and reference checks. All positions for the Attorney Honors Program are located at the FCC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Honors Attorneys are placed in one of the agency's operating bureaus or offices. Specific placements within the agency will be based on the participant’s interests and experience and the needs of the FCC. Honors Attorneys may have the opportunity to rotate to a new placement within the agency after their first year. Participants who enter the fall 2026 class will be expected to begin their employment with the agency by September 2026. At the end of the two-year program, Honors Program attorneys will be eligible for consideration for continued employment at the FCC.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
