This position is located in the Media Bureau (MB), Office of the Bureau Chief, Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC. The MB plays a key role in promoting innovation in the media marketplace as it develops and administers policy and licensing programs relating to the media industry, including broadcast and cable television and radio. The incumbent advises Bureau leadership and Commission officials on complex legal, policy, and regulatory issues affecting the media industry.
Summary
This position is located in the Media Bureau (MB), Office of the Bureau Chief, Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC. The MB plays a key role in promoting innovation in the media marketplace as it develops and administers policy and licensing programs relating to the media industry, including broadcast and cable television and radio. The incumbent advises Bureau leadership and Commission officials on complex legal, policy, and regulatory issues affecting the media industry.
All current Civil Service, Excepted Service, Current and former members of the Senior Executive Service, and SES certified Candidate Development Program candidates.
The Media Bureau Special Counsel performs the following functions:
Provides expert legal advice and policy guidance on complex issues involving communications law, administrative law, and federal regulatory policy related to broadcast television, radio, cable services, satellite services, and emerging digital media platforms.
Leads the development and review of Commission rulemakings, notices of proposed rulemaking, reports and orders, and adjudicatory decisions affecting media services and communications policy.
Advises Bureau leadership on statutory interpretation, regulatory authority, and policy implications of Commission actions involving the media industry.
Serves as a principal legal advisor to the Chief of the Media Bureau and other senior Commission officials on high-profile legal and regulatory matters.
Provides legal analysis and recommendations regarding complex policy initiatives, industry developments, and regulatory issues affecting broadcast and media services.
Prepares legal memoranda, briefing materials, and policy recommendations for Bureau and Commission leadership and Commissioners’ offices.
Coordinates legal policy development across divisions within the Media Bureau to ensure consistency in regulatory interpretation and policy implementation.
Collaborates with other Commission bureaus and offices, including the Office of General Counsel, on legal strategy, rulemaking initiatives, and adjudicatory matters.
Provides guidance to senior attorneys and staff on complex legal issues involving media regulation and Commission procedures.
Must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
Bar Membership Required
This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position in accordance with the Commission's Drug-Free Workplace Plan. If selected for the position, you will be subject to drug testing prior to employment and periodic random testing after entering on duty.
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.
- If applicable, you will be required to serve a probationary period of one year.
- 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.
Qualifications
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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
Your resume must include your full name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and complete employment history. For each position listed, please include: Employment dates in MM/YYY - MM/YYY format (or MM/YYYY - Present), Agency/Employer name, Position title, Grade level(s) held and a description of duties performed.
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, you must also demonstrate the following Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs):
Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the ECQs within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed). Current or former SES members must submit an SF-50 and/or QRB Certification of ECQs to show current or former service in the SES. OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Services Qualifications provides detailed information on the ECQs.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)
ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5 - Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: All candidates must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the Mandatory Technical Qualifications within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed).
MTQ 1- Demonstrated expert knowledge of telecommunications and media law, including understanding the statutory and regulatory frameworks governing broadcast television, radio, cable, satellite, and emerging media services; interpreting and applying the Communications Act, administrative law principles, and federal regulatory procedures in the development of rulemakings, adjudications, licensing actions, or enforcement matters affecting media services; analyzing complex legal issue sand providing authoritative legal guidance on regulatory policy affecting the media and communications industries.
MTQ 2 - Demonstrated ability to provide executive-level legal advice and leadership on complex regulatory and policy matters within a federal regulatory or comparable legal environment, including experience leading or coordinating the development of significant rulemakings, organizational-level policy initiatives, or adjudicatory decisions involving communications or media regulation; advising senior officials; coordinating legal strategies across organizational units; and translating complex legal analysis into policy recommendations that support organizational decision-making.
Education
Applicants must meet the minimum basic educations requirements for Attorney positions. Applicants must possess a law degree (J.D., or LL.B) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction. Proof of law degree and bar membership must be submitted with application.
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.
Your application will be reviewed to determine the quality and extent of your relevant experience. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in this vacancy announcement, including the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) which must be clearly demonstrated within your resume and is limited to two (2) pages. Do not submit separate narrative statements; separate ECQ or MTQ narratives will not be accepted or considered.
Veterans Preference does not apply to this SES recruitment.
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.
1) Optional Applicant Questions; optional, but strongly encouraged for applicants seeking to demonstrate alignment with the agency's leadership values.
2) Resume (limited to 2 pages) cover letter optional.
3) SF50 or proof of SES reinstatement eligibility. OPM Candidate Development Program graduates must provide a copy of the OPM/QRB Criterion B certification.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CONSIDERATION, YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING (in addition to registration information required to utilize this web site):
1. Resume - Your resume must clearly demonstrate that you meet the ECQs and the MTQs required for this positions.
ECQs and MTQs mustbe addressed within your resume; separate narrative statements will not be accepted.
The resume may not exceed two (2) pages.
Resumes should include the following information:
- Vacancy announcement number such as SES-2025-002 - Full name, mailing address, and day and evening phone numbers - Job title (include series and grade if Federal job) - Duties and accomplishments - Employer's name and address - Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year) - Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
If applying online poses a hardship, or you have any questions regarding eligible status, please contact the HR point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
2. Optional Essay Questions (Per OPM Guidance)
In accordance with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Merit Hiring Plan, applicants are encouraged to respond to the following four optional essay questions:
Question 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 your professional, academic, or personal experience. (Constitutional Commitment)
Question 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. (Government Efficiency)
Question 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. (Advancing Executive Orders and Policy Priorities)
Question 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 effective in this position. (Work Ethic)
Your responses will not be scored or rated; however, they may be reviewed by the selecting official and agency leadership as part of the hiring process.
Each response should be no more than 200 words.
Applicants must certify that all responses are their own work and have not been generated by artificial intelligence tools.
You will not be disqualified if you choose not to respond.
Responses may be addressed on your cover page of the resume.
Required documents must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern Standard Time of the closing date, or it will not be considered. Requests for extensions will not be granted.
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20554
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, it will be screened to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated and ranked by a panel of senior executives to identify the best qualified candidates. This evaluation will focus on your demonstrated leadership experience, technical expertise, and overall executive potential.
Candidates identified as highly qualified may be invited to participate in an interview(s) and receive reference checks. Final selections are subject to OPM Qualification Review Board (QRB) certification of the ECQs for initial career SES appointment.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1) Optional Applicant Questions; optional, but strongly encouraged for applicants seeking to demonstrate alignment with the agency's leadership values.
2) Resume (limited to 2 pages) cover letter optional.
3) SF50 or proof of SES reinstatement eligibility. OPM Candidate Development Program graduates must provide a copy of the OPM/QRB Criterion B certification.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CONSIDERATION, YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING (in addition to registration information required to utilize this web site):
1. Resume - Your resume must clearly demonstrate that you meet the ECQs and the MTQs required for this positions.
ECQs and MTQs mustbe addressed within your resume; separate narrative statements will not be accepted.
The resume may not exceed two (2) pages.
Resumes should include the following information:
- Vacancy announcement number such as SES-2025-002 - Full name, mailing address, and day and evening phone numbers - Job title (include series and grade if Federal job) - Duties and accomplishments - Employer's name and address - Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year) - Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
If applying online poses a hardship, or you have any questions regarding eligible status, please contact the HR point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
2. Optional Essay Questions (Per OPM Guidance)
In accordance with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Merit Hiring Plan, applicants are encouraged to respond to the following four optional essay questions:
Question 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 your professional, academic, or personal experience. (Constitutional Commitment)
Question 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. (Government Efficiency)
Question 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. (Advancing Executive Orders and Policy Priorities)
Question 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 effective in this position. (Work Ethic)
Your responses will not be scored or rated; however, they may be reviewed by the selecting official and agency leadership as part of the hiring process.
Each response should be no more than 200 words.
Applicants must certify that all responses are their own work and have not been generated by artificial intelligence tools.
You will not be disqualified if you choose not to respond.
Responses may be addressed on your cover page of the resume.
Required documents must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern Standard Time of the closing date, or it will not be considered. Requests for extensions will not be granted.
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20554
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, it will be screened to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated and ranked by a panel of senior executives to identify the best qualified candidates. This evaluation will focus on your demonstrated leadership experience, technical expertise, and overall executive potential.
Candidates identified as highly qualified may be invited to participate in an interview(s) and receive reference checks. Final selections are subject to OPM Qualification Review Board (QRB) certification of the ECQs for initial career SES appointment.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
