Supervisory Attorney Advisor (EXCEPTED SERVICE)

Office of the Secretary of Transportation • Washington, DC

3d

About The Position

This senior-level supervisory attorney position is located at Department of Transportation Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and serves as the principal legal advisor and Chief Counsel to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York. The role is part of the Academy Superintendent’s leadership team and provides legal services on the full range of legal and policy matters affecting USMMA operations and objectives.

The attorney serves as a generalist, advising the Superintendent and staff and addressing matters including government contracts and procurement, labor and employment relations, administrative and fiscal law, ethics, information law, congressional inquiries, installation jurisdiction, housing, federal advisory committees, and environmental law. The position represents USMMA in interagency and departmental settings, coordinates legal support with the Department of Transportation Office of the General Counsel, and advises on policy and program development and implementation, initiatives, directives, correspondence, and legislative and regulatory proposals.

The position also serves as the appointed Designated Agency Ethics Official, provides counsel related to inspections and investigations, supports Department of Justice attorneys in federal court proceedings, and represents the agency in relevant EEOC and MSPB cases and hearings. The attorney provides written and oral legal opinions, counsel, and decisions concerning DOT and USMMA activities.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor or other professional law degree from a full course of study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Current membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state or territory, or the District of Columbia.
• At least 4 years of professional attorney experience.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for consideration.
• Knowledge and ability to evaluate technical information related to administrative and aviation law and the rules, regulations, acts, and statutes under which the Department functions.
• Effective communication skills, including clear and convincing oral presentations and the ability to tailor communication to the audience and subject matter.
• Experience and expertise in federal law, including government contracts, labor and employment law (EEOC/MSPB), administrative and fiscal law, ethics, and information law (FOIA/Privacy Act).
• Demonstrated experience serving as a principal advisor to senior leadership on policy, programs, and operations.
• Ability to manage high-visibility matters, including congressional inquiries, investigations, and interagency coordination, and advise on legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Experience providing ethics guidance and litigation support involving the Department of Justice, including matters before the EEOC and MSPB.
• Proven leadership, sound judgment, and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and provide expert legal advice and counsel on legal and policy matters affecting USMMA operations and objectives.
• Serve as primary counsel on legal and related policy issues affecting USMMA and advise the Superintendent and USMMA staff.
• Represent USMMA in interagency and departmental meetings, conferences, and other events, and coordinate legal support from attorneys in the DOT Office of the General Counsel.
• Advise on USMMA policy and program formation and implementation, agency initiatives, issuances, directives, and correspondence.
• Serve as the appointed Designated Agency Ethics Official and advise staff and personnel on standards of conduct, conflicts of interest, and post-government employment matters.
• Provide legal advice relating to inspections, investigations, and associated reports concerning USMMA.
• Advise USMMA on legislative and regulatory proposals affecting its programs and operations.
• Assist Department of Justice attorneys in federal court proceedings and provide litigation support on matters involving USMMA.
• Represent the agency in relevant employment-relations cases and hearings before the EEOC and MSPB.
• Provide written and oral counsel, opinions, and decisions on legal aspects of DOT and USMMA activities.
• Supervise as Chief Counsel of the Academy.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree