General Attorney (Open Continuous)

Consumer Product Safety Commission•Washington, DC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The General Attorney is located in the Division of Regulatory Affairs of the Office of General Counsel at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Office of General Counsel advises the Commissioners and Commission organizational components on legal matters arising under the Acts administered by CPSC, related statutes, and other statutes or regulations pertaining to the Commission’s functions. This is not a remote position, and the selectee must reside in the local commuting area. The position will move to 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC, after the agency’s relocation, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The role drafts substantive and procedural regulations, provides written and oral legal opinions, reviews Commission standards, rules, regulations, and other documents, and helps plan regulatory policy and strategy. The open-continuous announcement remains open until March 5, 2027; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with positions filled as needs or vacancies arise. The announcement may be extended or closed early. Applicants must hold a J.D. or LL.B. and be an active member of a qualifying U.S. bar in good standing. The position has grade-specific requirements for specialized legal experience and years of practicing-attorney experience at GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14. Appointment requires a background investigation and suitability determination. If converted, the selectee generally serves a two-year trial period.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; proof of current active membership and good standing is required.
Must provide proof of law education, such as a law school transcript or diploma; transcripts must accompany the application, and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower federal grade level. Qualifying experience must include researching and analyzing legal or factual issues involving statutes or regulations; drafting legal documents; providing oral and written legal advice concerning statutory or regulatory authorities; and knowledge of or experience with administrative law. The required complexity depends on grade: GS-12 requires legal or factual issues and administrative-law knowledge; GS-13 requires difficult issues and administrative-law experience; GS-14 requires particularly complex issues and complex administrative-law issues.
GS-12 applicants must have either two years of experience as a practicing attorney, or one year as a practicing attorney plus a second professional law degree (LL.M.), in addition to the basic education and specialized-experience requirements.
GS-13 applicants must have three years of experience as a practicing attorney, in addition to the basic education and specialized-experience requirements.
GS-14 applicants must have four years of experience as a practicing attorney, in addition to the basic education and specialized-experience requirements.
Applicants must meet the qualifications by the announcement’s closing date and provide detailed documentation of relevant duties and experience.
Must complete a background investigation and receive a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period; the position is a Public Trust position.
Must complete required federal employment, identity-verification, and background-investigation forms and procedures, including OF-306 and PIV verification.
If male and born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or exemption.
Must reside in the local commuting area of the duty station; proof of residence may be required.
If converted, must serve a two-year trial period unless qualifying prior federal service satisfies the stated conditions.

Responsibilities

Draft substantive and procedural regulations in accordance with applicable laws.
Provide written and oral legal opinions to Commissioners, Commission leadership and staff, and outside parties, particularly on jurisdiction and procedure.
Review standards, rules, regulations issued by the Commission, and other documents, particularly legal matters of a precedential nature under the Acts administered by the Commission.
Participate in planning regulatory policy and strategies.

Benefits

Paid vacation and sick leave
11 paid holidays per year
Life and health insurance
Long-term care insurance
Dental and vision insurance
Flexible spending account program
Retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan)
Flexible work schedules
Teleworking
Transit subsidies
Fitness center
Employee assistance and wellness programs