Attorney-Advisor

⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌⁠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 Office of the Secretary serves as the focal point for all matters and documents submitted to and emanating from the Commission. The Office receives and processes a variety of documents filed by the public including: formal and informal complaints initiating proceedings involving alleged violations of the shipping statutes; special docket applications and applications to correct clerical or administrative errors in service contracts; all communications, petitions, pleadings, briefs, or other legal instruments in regulatory and administrative proceedings; and subpoenas served on the Commission or its members.

The incumbent functions as an Attorney-Advisor to the Secretary. The incumbent provides a full range of legal advice to the Secretary on issues arising under the Shipping Act and other legal and procedural statutes and regulations.

As an Attorney Advisor, you will:

• Review, and issue legal documents (i.e., orders, decisions, or other notices), pursuant to actions of the Commission.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research with minimal guidance, including examination of applicable laws, statutes, regulations, administrative and court decisions, and other materials necessary for ensuring and supporting sound decisions resolving factual and legal issues that may affect the Office of the Secretary.
• Review formal and informal complaints for legal sufficiency and compliance with statutory requirements and the Commission's Rules of Practices and Procedure.
• Administer the agency's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs to process all FOIA and Privacy Act requests and consultations and complete all required reporting.
• Conduct legal research and provide recommendations regarding Privacy Act Systems of Records Notices (SORNs), the Congressional Review Act (CRA), the Government in the Sunshine Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

Candidates for all grades must meet the following by the close of the announcement:

1. Minimum educational requirements include a professional law degree (LL.B or J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school. NOTE: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. An ABA-approved law school may allow students to receive credit for law study or activities at a foreign institution and grant credit for the J.D. degree if those studies or activities are approved in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Criteria adopted by the ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
2. Current active membership in a bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Active bar association and a certificate that the member is in good standing will be verified prior to appointment and employees must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with the FMC.
3. Applicants must possess excellent research and oral and written communication skills.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, you must meet the following:

For the GS-11: You must have one year of professional law experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.

OR

You have the experience required above plus a second professional law degree that requires one full year of graduate study OR You possess the first professional law degree and your record shows superior law student work or activities.

For the GS-12: You must have at least two (2) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

For the GS-13: You must have at least three (3) years of professional legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-12 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. Examples of specialized experience include conducting civil litigation including discovery and of trial practice; and providing legal guidance to attorneys and other professionals.