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The Rehearings section of OGC primarily advises the Commission on the appropriate resolution of requests for administrative rehearing or reconsideration of Commission decisions arising across the full breadth of the Commission’s regulatory responsibilities. The Rehearings section is looking for attorneys with mid- or higher level of experience in energy and/or administrative law who will be able to advise the Commission on complex issues associated with the Commission’s regulatory work under the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, and the Interstate Commerce Act, as well as the National Environmental Policy Act and other relevant statutes. Attorney-Advisers work both independently and in coordination with multi-disciplinary teams, including economists, engineers, biologists, archaeologists, and other subject matter experts to efficiently analyze and develop recommendations to resolve issues raised in the rehearing context. Well-qualified attorneys will have strong analytical, research, and writing skills.

As a Attorney-Adviser (Public Utilities), some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Drafting orders, opinions, regulations, memoranda, or other documents related to Commission jurisdictional matters affecting the electric utility, natural gas and oil transportation industry.
• Evaluating facts, legal pleadings and briefs, data or other relevant materials, marshaling evidence and arguments to support conclusions and identifying and recommending appropriate resolution of questions of law and policy.
• Providing advice to senior staff members and senior officials within the Commission.
• Performing legal research and analysis of legal decisions, opinions, rulings, and other documents.
• Applying the provisions of statutes such as the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, Interstate Commerce Act, Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, Public Utility Holding Company Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Administrative Procedure Act.
• Applying applicable regulations, precedent, and policies governing matters relating to the Commission's jurisdiction and working with other program offices within the agency.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university.
• Current, active bar membership required.
• A two-year trial period may be required.
• This is a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421).
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• This position has an education requirement; you must submit transcripts.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
• A background investigation is required.
• Maximum of 2 page resume.

You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. 

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

You must meet the following basic requirements, by the closing date of this announcement: (1) hold a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited college or university and (2) be a current, active bar member in good standing.

In addition, to the minimum requirements above, you must meet the following qualifications for each grade level by the closing date of this announcement:

At the GS-14: Three years of professional specialized legal experience post bar admission. The GS-14 salary range is $143,913 through $187,093 per annum.

At the GS-15: Four years of professional specialized legal experience post bar admission. The GS-15 salary range is $169,279 through $197,200 per annum.

Specialized experience is defined as: applies relevant experience and professional knowledge to case assignments that contain difficult legal or factual questions; knowledge of relevant statutes, regulations and policies pertaining to the agency; independently manages caseload and completes activities within established schedules with limited supervision.

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 any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

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 for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications above. All applications that are verified to meet the basic requirements will be referred to the selecting official.