Attorney Advisor

Federal Communications Commission•District of Columbia, DC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Attorney Advisor works in the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC, and may be assigned to any of its divisions: Investigations & Hearings, Fraud, Market Disputes Resolution, or Spectrum Enforcement. The role supports the Commission’s enforcement of the Communications Act and FCC rules across regulated industries, including telecommunications. The attorney provides authoritative legal advice to division and bureau leadership on complex, policy-oriented enforcement issues involving matters such as fraud, waste, and abuse of FCC-administered funds; equipment authorization and 911 system failures; formal complaints involving common carriers and utility pole owners; administrative hearings; and national security risks. The role handles highly complex cases involving difficult or novel factual and legal questions, potentially significant effects on industry and public interests, and matters of intense public interest. The attorney conducts rigorous legal analysis, identifies and researches relevant authorities, communicates findings to support informed decisions, and works with a supervisor on legal conclusions. Work may include developing investigations and legal actions, resolving litigation and pre-complaint disputes, preparing charging documents, negotiating settlements, presenting cases in administrative hearings, and developing enforcement policy. The attorney interprets the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and FCC rules, regulations, and policies. The position requires keeping current on relevant legal and regulatory developments by reviewing court and Commission decisions, professional publications, trade press, Congressional actions, and other agencies’ regulations. The announcement may be used to fill additional positions within 90 days; relocation expenses will not be paid.

Requirements

Professional law degree: JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M.
Bar membership; documentation is required upon selection.
For GS-14: At least three years of professional law experience, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service.
For GS-15: At least four years of professional law experience, including at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service.
Specialized experience relevant to the grade, including legal research on federal statutes, rules, and regulations related to communications or telecommunications providers; preparing comprehensive legal documents; analyzing and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues; and interacting with individuals at all levels of authority.
For GS-15, specialized experience also includes providing legal advice and guidance, reviewing and editing legal documents drafted by others, making oral presentations, communicating research results, and defending legal positions.
Demonstrate the required competencies: formulating legal and policy statements and proposed decisions; drafting legal position papers and policy memoranda; resolving highly complex and controversial legal issues; and evaluating divergent viewpoints and presenting clear, concise findings and recommendations.
For GS-15, demonstrate the ability to prepare notices of inquiry and notices of proposed rulemaking.
Meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the announcement closing date; current Federal employees must also meet time-in-grade requirements by that date.
U.S. citizenship.
Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
Serve a one-year probationary or trial period, if applicable.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or have an exemption.
A financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
Current FCC employees must provide an SF-50 verifying grade and status; current Federal employees must provide a legible SF-50 verifying status and highest permanently held grade. An SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade is required where applicable.
Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria; it must support responses to vacancy questions.
Applicants must provide education transcripts by selection if not submitted with the application.
Candidates should be committed to the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution and to improving the efficiency of the Federal government.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice to division and bureau leadership on complex, policy-oriented enforcement issues.
Conduct legal research and analyze relevant law, policy, facts, and evidence to support legal conclusions and informed decision-making.
Make findings of fact based on audits, investigations, complaints, or compliance reports.
Draft Memorandum Opinions and Orders for Commission approval resolving litigation between parties and mediating pre-complaint disputes.
Prepare charging documents, including Notices of Apparent Liability, Citations, and Forfeiture Orders, for Commission approval.
Negotiate settlements with targets of division investigations when appropriate.
Develop evidentiary records and present legal arguments in adjudicative administrative hearings.
Devise and implement policies to advance the Commission’s enforcement goals and objectives.
Interpret the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and Commission rules, regulations, and policies.
Keep abreast of legal developments affecting enforcement and broadcast or telecommunications regulatory matters.