Attorney-Adviser (Small Claims Officer)

⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌⁠The FMC is the federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and the U.S. consumer. The FMC is dedicated to ensuring a competitive and dependable international ocean transportation system that supports the U.S. economy and safeguards the public from unfair or deceptive practices.

Join the FMC and be part of a mission-driven organization during an important and exciting time in the maritime industry. Please refer to the qualifications and required documents for applicable education requirements.Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

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) The ideal candidate, in his/her capacity as Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer), serves as will independently adjudicate Shipping Act cases, including deciding legal and factual issues. Your written decisions will impact common carriers, shippers, and the public in general. Preference for those with maritime or judicial experience (which may be from federal, state, administrative, or specialized courts).

The incumbent serves as an Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) in the Office of the Administrative Law Judges. In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Attorney-Advisor (Small Claims Officer) include:

• Reviews the record and conducts comprehensive legal research to issue sound decisions resolving factual and legal issues in the Shipping Act small claims cases (under $50,000).
• Conducts prehearing meetings and discussions with parties and attorneys, evaluates the evidence, requests additional evidence from the parties, applies controlling law, and, acting as independent adjudicator, prepares and issues decisions.
• Reviews and analyzes extensive factual records, often consisting of thousands of pages of exhibits.
  Independently evaluates the factual basis of alleged Shipping Act violations and communicates this evaluation to an Administrative Law Judge in oral or written form.
• Recommends disposition of legal and procedural issues presented in the proceeding, including motions and discovery disputes and communicates reasons for proposed disposition to administrative law judges both orally and in writing.
• Applies extensive knowledge and experience analyzing legal problems that may have far­ reaching legal implications for the Shipping Act.

For the GS-15: You must have earned a professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, be an active member of the Bar, and have at least four (4) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level.

Professional legal education above the first professional law degree may be substituted for experience required as follows:(a) The second professional law degree (LL.M) may be substituted for one year of experience (b) The third law degree (J.S.D) may be substituted for one year of experience beyond the LL.M. 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. Applicants must possess excellent research and oral and written communication skills. Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Exceptional experience making or recommending decisions in federal, state, administrative, or specialized courts.
• Exceptional experience in litigation at the appellate, trial, or administrative hearing level.
• Exceptional skill and ability to communicate highly complex and at times controversial legal and administrative issues both orally and in writing, with a preference for experience with maritime, antitrust, or economic issues.