Attorney-Adviser

Summary Serves as legal counsel within the Office of Chief Counsel, International Affairs & National Security Law Division (AGC-700), providing advice and counsel concerning the intersection of the FAA's authorities for aviation safety, air navigation services and commercial space with national security considerations. Responsibilities In conjunction with other legal practice areas, provides advice and counsel regarding national security, cyber-security, and emergency management matters related to aviation safety, air navigation services, and commercial space. This includes a wide range of aviation safety, air navigation services, and commercial space-related matters, including but not limited to: civil aviation safety in conflict zones; cyber-security; all-hazards emergency management; continuity of operations; crisis response; information security; advanced threat analysis and mitigation; facility and personnel security; and special projects of a classified nature. Reviews and provides legal advice concerning draft FAA regulations, orders, other policy documents, and informational products, including inter-agency circulations and legislative proposals pertaining to national security, cyber-security, and emergency management. Advises FAA management and staff on inter-agency engagements related to national security, cyber-security, and emergency management, including but not limited to the National Security Council (NSC) process, as well as engagements with the Department of Transportation (DOT), foreign governments, and industry stakeholders on such matters. Provides legal and policy advice and guidance to headquarters and regional offices relating to the foregoing matters, which cover a diversified and complex field of law and national, inter- and intra-governmental relations. The work involves frequent contact and dealings with high-level officials within the FAA, the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), other executive and legislative agencies, foreign governments, and industry. Reviews regulatory and legislative proposals to ensure conformity with the authorizing statute and agency policy. Conducts thorough legal research by appropriately identifying and analyzing relevant legal and factual issues and arguments. Assesses legal strengths and weaknesses of available arguments to provide accurate, complete, and practical legal advice and conclusions. Identifies and learns emerging issues, principles, and practices relevant to the legal practice area. Provides advice tailored to the client and requirements of the agency. Adjusts communications to meet audience expectations and level of understanding. Keeps client and practice area management informed of issues and activities that may or should be discussed at a higher level. Manages workload to ensure that priorities are achieved and deadlines are met. Participates in appropriate training and/or learning activities. Performs full performance-level assignments under limited direction. Serves as an individual contributor, team member, or project leader for routine assignments. Applies considerable experience and advanced professional legal knowledge to assignments. Performs most assignments independently and receives direction from a manager or more experienced attorney when exceptionally difficult issues are encountered. Based on professional knowledge, plans and carries out assignments, resolves most conflicts, coordinates with others, and completes assignments on own initiative. Independently plans use of time and resources to accomplish complex objectives. The employee is expected to complete activities within established schedules and deadlines, analyze program requirements and accomplishments, and recommend adjustments needed to address program needs. Contacts are internal and external to the organization and the agency. Contacts are with other attorneys, agency managers, aviation industry representatives and representatives of other agencies and foreign government representatives. Work is reviewed from an overall standpoint for consistency and effectiveness in meeting requirements or satisfying expectations. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To qualify for this position, ALL applicants MUST meet the following criteria: (1) have a JD Degree from an accredited law school; (2) be admitted to practice before the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction or within the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; (3) be an active member of that bar; and (4) demonstrate at least one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to the next lower grade/pay band (FG/GS-12/FV-H) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. A candidate must possess two years of attorney experience and one year of specialized experience, for a total of three years of experience. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience providing legal advice and counsel on issues concerning national security, cyber-security, or emergency management matters related to aviation, air navigation services, or commercial space. You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. For additional information regarding foreign education, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html **Applicants who are not currently in the 905 occupational series (Attorney) in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 905 occupational series (Attorney), you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it. Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee. This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA