FERC is seeking attorneys to fill multiple positions in: OAL-Legal Division, OERA- Division of Investigations, OGC- Energy Markets, OGC- Energy Projects, OGC- General and Administrative Law, OGC- Rehearings, OGC-Solicitor's Office, and OGC-Dispute Resolution Service. This means you may be contacted by several different hiring managers for different vacancies. You can indicate in the vacancy questionnaire which areas you are interested in applying for. Please see Next Steps section for additional information.
In OAL- Legal Division, attorneys serve as trial staff for the Commission and are responsible for managing litigation and settlement activities in complex energy matters. They lead or collaborate as co-counsel on case assignments to ensure the production of timely, high-quality legal work that advances OAL's positions consistent with Commission policy and governing statutes. In hearings and other proceedings, OAL attorneys conduct discovery, draft motions and briefs, examine and depose witnesses, argue procedural, evidentiary, and discovery motions, and actively participate in settlement negotiations, including multi-party discussions-to achieve just and reasonable outcomes.
In OERA- Division of Investigations, attorneys initiate and execute investigations of possible violations of the Commission's rules, orders, and regulations relating to energy market activities and participants, while evaluating facts, analyzing legal arguments, and marshaling evidence and arguments to support conclusions and recommendations in connection with investigations. Attorneys recommend remedies to address violations and, where authorized, pursuing remedies through negotiation.
In OGC- Energy Markets,attorneys advise the Commission on complex issues relating to electric utilities and natural gas and oil pipelines, pursuant to statutes such as the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, and Interstate Commerce Act. The section's responsibilities include the design and operation of competitive wholesale markets, rate designs including market-based rates and cost-of-service rates, terms and conditions of service, electric reliability, and electric utility mergers and other corporate transactions.
In OGC- Energy Projects, attorneys advise the Commission on complex issues relating to proposals to develop and maintain energy infrastructure, pursuant to statutes such as the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. Energy infrastructure under the Commission's authority includes natural gas pipelines, natural gas storage facilities, liquified natural gas terminals, non-federal hydropower projects, and certain interstate electric transmission facilities in national interest electric transmission corridors.
In OGC- Rehearings, attorneys advise the Commission on the resolution of requests to reconsider its decisions, with the aim of ensuring that the Commission's decisions are legally durable in advance of judicial review. Attorneys assess and address litigation risk on complex issues arising across the full breadth of the Commission's regulatory responsibilities.
In OGC-Solicitor's Office, attorneys defend the Commission's orders against challenges filed in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. The section's responsibilities also arise across the full breadth of the Commission's regulatory responsibilities.
In OGC- General and Administrative Law, attorneys advise the Commission on wide-ranging issues, such as ethics, appropriations, procurement, the Sunshine Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and treatment of Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information. Attorneys also represent the Commission in employment and labor proceedings before relevant Federal agencies.
In OGC-Dispute Resolution Service, attorneys provide expert support to help resolve complex regulatory and interpersonal disputes through alternative dispute resolution (e.g., mediation, facilitation, etc.) and customized training. Through these efforts, attorneys proactively address conflicts, preventing costly delays, reducing litigation and time-consuming appeals, and resolving disputes that do not have a clear regulatory path.
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.
Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university.
Current, active bar membership required.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
Maximum of 2-page resume.
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:
To qualify at the GS-12, you must have one year of professional legal experience post-bar admission at the GS-11 level. Experience is defined as conducting legal research and analysis; drafting memoranda, orders, regulations or other documents; and developing legal conclusions on statutes, regulations and matters.
To qualify at the GS-13, you must have two-years of of professional legal experience post-bar admission with one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. Equivalent experience is defined as conducting independent legal research and analysis; drafting memoranda, orders, regulations or other documents; and developing legal conclusions on statutes, regulations and matters.
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 "Duties" section, specialized experience statement, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
Education
This position has an education requirement and therefore, transcripts are required. Failure to submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application will result in your application being marked incomplete and you will not receive further consideration.
Additional information
The duty location of this position is Washington, DC.
When promotion potential is shown, future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
If selected for this position, you will be required to:
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Have your Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC's supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of at least some energy securities is likely to be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment.
Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary 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 probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Decision Making
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reasoning
Self-Management
Stress Tolerance
Teamwork
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from 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.
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.
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 and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans' preference).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:
RESUME (maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
Position title
Name of employer
Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
Hours worked per week
Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
TRANSCRIPTS: You are required to submit copies of your college and law school transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP: Documentation showing you are a current bar member in good standing.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR CANDIDATES (You are strongly encouraged to submit these documents as a part of your initial application; however, if contacted for an interview, these documents will be required):
COVER LETTER: You may be required to submit a cover letter that showcases how your unique combination of skills and experience(s) meet the requirements of the position.
WRITING SAMPLE: You may be required to provide a writing sample that demonstrates your persuasive writing skills and that reflects your analytic skills.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS:
VETERANS'PREFERENCE (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, FERC considers military service a positive factor when reviewing applications. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are encouraged to submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an "Application for 10-point Veteran Preference" (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
Click the Apply Online button.
Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the "Qualifications and Evaluation" and "How You Will Be Evaluated" sections of this announcement.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside approximately two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request an RA in your online application. Requests for an RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for an RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for an RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need an RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to "Track this application." Your "Applicant status" will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.
This vacancy will be used to fill multiple positions in the Office of Administrative Litigation, the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting.
What does this mean for you as an applicant? Managers from any of the sections or divisions in OAL, OERA or OGC could contact you for an interview depending on their programmatic needs. In order to prepare for a potential interview, we suggest you ask the person contacting you for the exact name of their Section/Division so you can research their respective mission. Details about each office can be found here: Office of Administrative Litigation (OAL), Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting (OERA).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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 and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans' preference).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:
RESUME (maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
Position title
Name of employer
Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
Hours worked per week
Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
TRANSCRIPTS: You are required to submit copies of your college and law school transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP: Documentation showing you are a current bar member in good standing.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR CANDIDATES (You are strongly encouraged to submit these documents as a part of your initial application; however, if contacted for an interview, these documents will be required):
COVER LETTER: You may be required to submit a cover letter that showcases how your unique combination of skills and experience(s) meet the requirements of the position.
WRITING SAMPLE: You may be required to provide a writing sample that demonstrates your persuasive writing skills and that reflects your analytic skills.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS:
VETERANS'PREFERENCE (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, FERC considers military service a positive factor when reviewing applications. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are encouraged to submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an "Application for 10-point Veteran Preference" (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
Click the Apply Online button.
Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the "Qualifications and Evaluation" and "How You Will Be Evaluated" sections of this announcement.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside approximately two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request an RA in your online application. Requests for an RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for an RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for an RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need an RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to "Track this application." Your "Applicant status" will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.
This vacancy will be used to fill multiple positions in the Office of Administrative Litigation, the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting.
What does this mean for you as an applicant? Managers from any of the sections or divisions in OAL, OERA or OGC could contact you for an interview depending on their programmatic needs. In order to prepare for a potential interview, we suggest you ask the person contacting you for the exact name of their Section/Division so you can research their respective mission. Details about each office can be found here: Office of Administrative Litigation (OAL), Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting (OERA).
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
