Director, Office of Administrative Litigation

About the role

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies as a "Best Place to Work" in the Federal government! This Director, Office of Administrative Litigation position is located in the Office of Administrative Litigation. For more information visit: Office of Administrative Litigation (OAL) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

What you will do

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is looking for an experienced senior level executive to serve as the Director, Office of Administrative Litigation.
• Reporting directly to the Chairman, the Director leads an office of two Division Directors, legal and technical branch chiefs, experienced attorneys, technical professionals, administrative professionals and legal support staff in resolving cases set for hearing and settlement proceedings concerning natural gas, oil, electric, and hydroelectric matters.
• The Director is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and executing the work of the Office of Administrative Litigation with emphasis on the application of precedent, legal interpretation, trial preparation and settlement strategy.
• The Director oversees the provision of legal advice to the office in its day-to-day operations, and on matters of administrative law, trial practice and substantive energy law.
• The OAL Director provides vision and leadership in resolving contested proceedings through settlements and hearings before Administrative Law Judges (ALJs).
• As a Director, Office of Administrative Litigation some of your typical work assignments include: Directs and implements the Office mission and vision statements, goals, strategic plan and performance success measures; and assists with developing the Commission strategic plan.
• Develops the strategy and process for litigating matters that are not resolved by settlement.
• Directs the Office's administrative litigation processes, ensuring consistency, collaboration, and effective decision-making in the handling of cases.
• Oversees staff collaboration among professional disciplines, applying legal, economic, accounting, public utility, and engineering knowledge at the Commission to develop staff positions for the resolution of proceedings, and to develop an adequate record for Commission review of litigated or settled cases.
• Represents the Chairman and the FERC in matters involving administrative litigation and complaint settlement.
• Serves on internal and external teams.
• Fosters cooperative relationships with other Federal agencies, Administration officials, state regulators, the Congress, U.S. and international public utility communities, and industry representatives.
• Represents the Commission in Congressional committee meetings, providing testimony relevant to proposed legislation.
• Performs leadership functions in a manner that exemplifies and promotes good leadership behaviors.
• Manage the business management functions carried out for the Office.
• Lead managers and other employees to maximize potential and enhance productivity in meeting the Commission's vision, mission, and goals.
• Provides leadership in accomplishing human resource responsibilities and facilitates efficient management of resources within the Office.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Subject to a 1-year SES/supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• 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.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• This is not a bargaining unit position.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• A background investigation is required.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty.
• Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
• Maximum of 2-page resume.
• There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations.
• Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

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.

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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.

If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

How you will be evaluated

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply.

If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.

Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.

Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.

Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience.
• Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
• 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.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (***), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: ***

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

Duty Station: The duty location of this position is Washington, DC. Personal Identity Verification: 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: *** Ethics Training: 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.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders.

Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Tiering: The Commission structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position.

The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please call the POC listed below.

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.