Attorney-Advisor

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission•District of Columbia, DC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is hiring attorneys for multiple positions across the Office of Administrative Litigation (OAL), the Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting (OERA), and the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Candidates may be contacted by multiple hiring managers and can identify areas of interest in the vacancy questionnaire. The duty location is Washington, DC. OAL Legal Division attorneys serve as trial staff in complex energy matters. They manage litigation and settlement activities, conduct discovery, draft motions and briefs, examine and depose witnesses, argue procedural, evidentiary, and discovery motions, and participate in settlement negotiations. OERA Division of Investigations attorneys investigate possible violations of Commission rules, orders, and regulations concerning energy market activities and participants. They evaluate facts, analyze legal arguments, marshal evidence, develop conclusions and recommendations, and recommend or pursue authorized remedies. OGC attorneys advise the Commission on complex matters across its regulatory responsibilities. Energy Markets attorneys work on electric utilities and natural gas and oil pipelines, including wholesale market design and operation, rates, service terms, electric reliability, and corporate transactions. Energy Projects attorneys advise on energy infrastructure proposals, including pipelines, storage facilities, liquefied natural gas terminals, non-federal hydropower projects, and certain interstate electric transmission facilities. Rehearings attorneys address requests to reconsider Commission decisions and assess litigation risk. Solicitor’s Office attorneys defend Commission orders in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. General and Administrative Law attorneys advise on ethics, appropriations, procurement, administrative and transparency laws, and related matters, and represent the Commission in employment and labor proceedings. Dispute Resolution Service attorneys support resolution of regulatory and interpersonal disputes through alternative dispute resolution and customized training. The position requires a J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited institution and current, active bar membership in good standing. Applicants must meet grade-specific legal experience requirements for GS-14 or GS-15. Transcripts are required with the application. Relocation expenses will not be paid, and employees may be required to divest certain energy-related securities. Federal employment conditions include suitability and background reviews, direct deposit, identity verification, ethics training, and potentially a probationary period and financial disclosure filing.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or nationality.
J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university.
Current, active bar membership in good standing.
GS-14: Three years of relevant professional legal experience after bar admission, including one year equivalent to GS-13.
GS-15: Four years of relevant professional legal experience after bar admission, including one year equivalent to GS-14.
Specialized experience includes interpreting and analyzing complex legal issues, leading teams, conducting independent legal research and analysis, drafting legal documents, and developing legal conclusions on statutes, regulations, and matters; GS-15 experience also includes serving as a subject matter expert on complex legal issues.
Submit transcripts with the application.
Maximum two-page resume.
Meet federal suitability and background investigation requirements.
Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
If hired, may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.

Responsibilities

Manage litigation and settlement activities in complex energy matters as OAL trial staff.
Conduct discovery; draft motions and briefs; examine and depose witnesses; argue procedural, evidentiary, and discovery motions; and participate in settlement negotiations.
Investigate possible violations of Commission rules, orders, and regulations related to energy market activities and participants.
Evaluate facts, analyze legal arguments, marshal evidence, and develop investigative conclusions and recommendations.
Recommend remedies for violations and pursue authorized remedies through negotiation.
Advise the Commission on electric utility, natural gas, and oil pipeline issues, including market design, rates, service terms, reliability, and corporate transactions.
Advise the Commission on energy infrastructure proposals and applicable legal and regulatory issues.
Advise the Commission on requests to reconsider its decisions and assess litigation risk.
Defend Commission orders against challenges in the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
Advise the Commission on general and administrative law issues, including ethics, appropriations, procurement, and federal administrative laws.
Represent the Commission in employment and labor proceedings before relevant Federal agencies.
Provide alternative dispute resolution support and customized training to address regulatory and interpersonal disputes.