Attorney Advisor

Qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the Department of Commerce Attorneys and Law Clerks standards for Hiring and Advancement guidelines. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has no Group Coverage Qualification Standard for this series. Basic requirement for all grade levels: You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; AND You must have active bar membership in good standing in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. The career ladder for attorney positions in OGC is generally from GS-12 to GS-15. The minimum qualifications for hiring at each grade level (or equivalent) are as follows: GS-12: J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (The requirement that an applicant possess a J.D. may be waived if his or her bar membership is in a state that allows individuals to “read for the law” rather than pursue a formal academic degree). 1 year of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal). This may include: a superior academic record; specific course work or an internship in the relevant legal area; another graduate or doctoral degree. GS-13: Two years of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal). Relevant non-legal professional experience could include, for example: experience as an International Program Specialist with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) when applying for a CLDP attorney position; or experience as an Employee Relations Specialist when applying for an Employment Law position. Likewise, experience in a non-attorney position within the Department, with resulting insight into the client’s mission could warrant a higher grade, as could non-legal experience in regulated industry. When relying on non-legal professional experience, hiring managers must articulate in writing how the cited experience enhances the applicant’s skills to warrant the higher grade. GS-14: Typically requires a minimum of three years of relevant legal experience. On the rare occasion, two years of relevant legal experience may, in the opinion of the General Counsel or his or her designee, suffice. GS-15: Typically requires a minimum of four years of relevant legal experience. On the rare occasion, three years of relevant legal experience may, in the opinion of the General Counsel or his or her designee, suffice. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Specialized Experience Requirements: Applicants must meet the General Professional Experience requirements set forth above and the specialized experience below by the closing date of the announcement. Specialized experience equips applicants with knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience includes knowledge of telecommunications and information law and policy. This includes knowledge and/or experience related to the broadband grant programs NTIA is administering under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and similar broadband grant programs. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop legal opinions whether through the litigation process or administratively, which may alter the state of the law in the area or expand the charter of the agency concerning critical issues related to telecommunications and information law and policy. Applicants must demonstration a record of oral and written expression sufficient to pursue the particular legal issue against opposition which vigorously contests the agency position and is highly sophisticated and talented usually involving top attorneys in both the private and public sector. (See above to for specific desired experience for each grade level). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Applicants may be hired at any of the grades shown in this announcement, commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications. You are encouraged to identify the grade level(s) or salary for which you wish to be considered.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking one or more attorney advisors to join its Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). OCC serves as legal counsel for NTIA, providing legal advice and guidance for all matters that arise in support of NTIAs missions. These OCC attorney advisors provide legal support for NTIAs efforts to close the digital divide, manage federal spectrum resources, and build a better internet.