Trial Attorney (Appellate)

About the role

This position is in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Litigation Division, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

What you will do

• Serving as a senior attorney representing the Commission in a variety of matters, primarily in the federal appellate courts, as well as (on occasion) the federal trial courts and other tribunals.
• Assisting the staff in the Office of the Solicitor General in preparing the government's filings for cases involving the Commission in the Supreme Court.
• Advising the Commission on legal issues arising from pending and threatened litigation, as well as from administrative proceedings before the agency.
• Providing legal advice and services on projects involving complex legal, factual, and policy issues, and otherwise assisting managers and supervisors with a wide cross-section of assigned projects.
• Conducting legal research and answering legal questions; recommending a course of action based on legal, policy, and practical concerns; and preparing or assisting in the preparation of legal memoranda advising on the status of investigations or litigation, as well as on the significance of judicial decisions in cases involving the Commission or otherwise relevant to its work.
• Consulting with other FCC Bureaus and Offices on Commission agenda items, and presenting matters to the Commission for decisions.

Requirements

• Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions.
• Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.
• SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade.
• If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
• To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to ***

Education

Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the "Qualifications" section.

How you will be evaluated

Optional Four Essay Questions 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. 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 rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who do not submit a supporting resume will be rated ineligible.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including: 1. the core questions 2. supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, transcripts, bar membership); and 4. your resume. Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions provide supplemental documents and submit resume.

For more information, please click on Rating Process You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Merit Hiring Plan Resume Requirements In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length.
• The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job 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.
• The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit USAjobs-How to Write a Federal Resume Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement.
• You must submit a resume at the time of application.
• Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy.
• Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade.
• If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.
• This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.
• Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
• Proof of current, active bar membership.
• Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues.
• Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation.
• 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.
• Supplemental Documents Required: Current Federal employees should submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade.
• If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
• Transcripts Bar Membership If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.
• Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge.
• Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide

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

What to expect next

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance 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 trial 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.