Summary
This position is in the Enforcement Bureau (EB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC. Selectees will be placed at various divisions throughout EB. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.
Responsibilities
The incumbent serves as an attorney working primarily to support the Commission's efforts to enforce the Communications Act and the FCC's rules across a wide range of industries regulated by Commission. The incumbent is responsible for providing authoritative legal advice to the Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief, and Bureau Leadership, including the Bureau Chief, concerning highly complex, policy-oriented enforcement issues including, but not limited to: fraud, waste, and abuse involving FCC-administered funds; equipment authorization rules and 911 system failures; formal complaints against common carriers and utility pole owners; administrative hearings; and national security risks. The incumbent may serve in any one of the Enforcement Bureau's divisions, including: the Investigations & Hearings Division; the Fraud Division; the Market Disputes Resolution Division; and the Spectrum Enforcement Division. While serving in the Enforcement Bureau, the incumbent will work on highly complex legal cases. These cases typically involve complicated factual situations where clear precedents are not readily available or apparent. These are often characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex, difficult issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; (2) matters that can have an important impact on major industry parties whose economic position affects major private and public interests; (3) matters of intense public interest and impact, including involving national security. The incumbent applies rigorous critical thinking and analysis skills to solve problems, make recommendations to supervisors, and executes tasks needed to complete investigations and issue legal actions. Decisions about legal conclusions based upon the facts and the relevant legal authorities are made in conjunction with the supervisor, with the incumbent playing a critical role in (1) identifying, (2) researching, and (3) communicating accurate, timely, and appropriately detailed information to support well-reasoned legal conclusions and informed decision-making at all levels. In carrying out his or her duties, the incumbent may be expected to (1) make findings of fact based on audits, investigations, complaints, or compliance reports; (2) research applicable law and policy; (3) draft Memorandum Opinions and Orders for Commission approval resolving litigation between parties and mediates pre-complaint disputes; (4) prepare charging documents (Notices of Apparent Liability, Citations and Forfeiture Orders) for Commission approval; (5) negotiate settlements with targets of Division investigations where appropriate; (6) develop the evidentiary record and presents legal arguments in adjudicative administrative hearings; and/or; (7) devise and implement policies to advance the Commission's enforcement goals and objectives. The incumbent is responsible for the proper interpretation of the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Commission's rules, regulations, and policies, including, but not limited to those impacting telecommunications services. The incumbent therefore keeps abreast of legal developments affecting enforcement issues and broadcast and/or telecommunications regulatory matters by reviewing court and Commission decisions, professional publications and trade press, relevant Congressional actions, and regulations of other agencies.
Qualifications
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. In order to be deemed as "BEST QUALIFIED" candidates must meet both the educational requirements AND the Specialized Experience. A. Education You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M. NOTE-If you do not provide a transcript at the time of application, a transcript will be required to be provided at the time of selection. AND B. Specialized Experience For GS-14: Applicants must possess at least three years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience includes: 1. Conducting legal research on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services; 2. Preparing comprehensive legal documents; 3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues; 4. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority. For GS-15: Applicants must possess at least four years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service. For this position, examples of specialized experience includes: 1. Providing legal advice and guidance on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services; 2. Preparing comprehensive legal documents including reviewing and editing documents drafted by others; 3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues; 4. Making oral presentations, communicating legal research results, and defending legal positions at all levels of authority; 5. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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 volunteer experience. SME REVIEW In addition to meeting all of the qualification criteria listed above, candidate's resumes must demonstrate all required competencies. Subject matter experts will review your application to determine if you meet all qualification criteria listed above in addition to the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's). GS-14 COMPETENCIES Expert ability to fomulate both legal and policy statements, proposed decisions, and proposals for the modification of regulations or the adoption of new regulations. Expert ability to write legal position papers and related policy memoranda. Expert ability to resolve highly complex and controversial legal which are frequently the subject of challenge in the courts. Expert ability to evaluate divergent points of view and present findings and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion. GS-15 COMPETENCIES Expert ability to fomulate both legal and policy statements, proposed decisions, and proposals for the modification of regulations or the adoption of new regulations. Expert ability to write legal position papers and related policy memoranda. Expert ability to resolve highly complex and controversial legal which are frequently the subject of challenge in the courts. Expert ability to evaluate divergent points of view and present findings and recommendations in a clear and concise fashion.\ Expert ability to prepare notices of inquiry, notices of proposed rulemaking. If you are deemed to be qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration. Alternatively, if your application is not deemed as qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will not be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration.
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 PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov
Education
Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the "Qualifications" section.
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