Attorney Advisor (General)

Summary Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The Attorney-Advisor in the Office of General Counsel performs authoritative and accurate legal research, provides legal advice to internal staff on all matters of copyright law, and prepares materials for regulatory proceedings and other policy work. Responsibilities THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS POSTING. APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AND REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS. Applicants may submit or update their application before the closing date. Applicants will be referred after the first cutoff date, and subsequent referrals will be made at the manager’s request. The announcement may close earlier or at the request of the selecting official or after the job is filled. The first cutoff for receipt of applications under this announcement will be 11:59 p.m. EST on April 24, 2024. The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers copyright law, advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world's largest database of copyright public records; and provides information and reference services to the public. This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Register, U.S. Copyright Office. The position description numbers for this position are 12751 and 12752. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The incumbents for these positions will work a full-time, flextime work schedule. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Based on complete legal research in a very complex area of law, the incumbent prepares probing, innovative, and fully and accurately documented written arguments, briefs, studies or other analytical documents which involve complex legal or policy variables within broad areas of U.S. copyright law, and other matters contained in title 17, foreign and international copyright law and jurisprudence. These analyses relate to the history, development, interpretation, and implementation of primarily national policies. Performs probing and innovative legal research and prepares regulations, briefs, memoranda, and other legal materials and documents in consultation with the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel or other senior staff. Researches precedents, applicable statutes, and other resources to provide opinions regarding proposed changes in policies and regulations. The incumbent is expected to be able to complete such research independently and to need little guidance from the supervisor or senior staff. Prepares for the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel or other senior staff authoritative descriptive and background reports, compilations, surveys, comparison of laws and bills, and other written projects for use by the Copyright Office, members of Congress and their staff, and high level officials from other federal agencies and private organizations. Such reports contribute significantly to the understanding of the nature of legal issues before the Office primarily on the domestic front while cognizant of any international developments or implications and provide an authoritative basis for the consideration of legislative or regulatory proposals. Reviews difficult and complex legal and administrative matters such as proposed administrative policies, procedures, regulations, and other agency publications to evaluate the legality and effect on the agency. Analyzes the factual and legal issues presented to determine whether further information is needed, and if so, how best to obtain that information. Prepares and delivers oral presentations at copyright programs, meetings, and hearings employing the incumbent's broad knowledge of legal issues and current copyright and intellectual property concerns. Performs other related duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Knowledge of Copyright Law. * Ability to Conduct Legal Research. * Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally through Briefings, Meetings, and Presentations. Ability to Work Collaboratively with Others. Ability to Write/Communicate in Writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education Basic Requirements Applicants must possess an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Appointees must maintain active membership in good standing of the bar throughout their employment. The following documents MUST BE ATTACHED to your online application: Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law must be attached to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of the application. Official documents will be required if selected. Proof of bar membership demonstrating that applicant is an active (or equivalent) member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. Additional Information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.