Assistant Chief Counsel for Information Law

The Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC) provides legal services to the FAA Administrator and all agency organizations worldwide. Its primary functions are providing legal advice, reviewing agency action for legal sufficiency, and providing representational services.

Salary

• $149,700 - $210,700/year

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the FAA Executive System, you must clearly articulate and describe within your five (5) page resume evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability; and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Leadership and Technical Requirements listed below.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following have been determined to be selective factors for this position. This means possession of this criteria is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration.

LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience in achieving operational results? If so, provide examples of ways you have exercised leadership to deliver significant results. Explain how you established goals, assessed outcomes, and improved products and services. Indicate how you identified and met customers' requirements and addressed the needs of stakeholders. Include examples of complex problems you solved or difficult obstacles that you overcame as a leader. Your description should include (1) the size and complexity of organizations you have led, (2) the scope of programs you have managed, and (3) the impact of your results on customers and other stakeholders.

LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience leading people? If yes, describe the size of the organization and number and types of positions you have managed. Discuss ways that you have established and maintained positive work environments and prevented or eliminated discrimination or harassment. Describe ways that you have mentored and developed employees and built individual and team performance. Discuss how you have established and led teams to deliver products and services. Include in your description experience in leading others in a matrix environment across organizations.

LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience building relationships? If yes, describe (1) the types of individuals with whom you routinely collaborate; and (2) the purpose and outcomes of the communication. Discuss your experience in communicating and cooperating with others to achieve goals. Provide examples of how you have built relationships to achieve consensus and how you were able to obtain the cooperation of others with competing priorities and perspectives. Describe how you effectively communicate information within and outside of your organization.

LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience leading strategic change? If yes, describe examples of strategic changes that you led for your organization; describe the entities that the change affected (agency, industry, organizational components). Discuss obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them to the benefit of the agency. Include in your description ways that you applied long range vision, developed strategies, and applied innovative ideas and techniques.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT: Experience overseeing a legal organization that provides advice and counsel on general or information law (e.g., the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, and records management), and data or technology-related law (e.g., patent law, intellectual property, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other types of technologies).

Duties

The Assistant Chief Counsel for Information Law serves as the principal legal officer and legal expert for the Agency in all matters relating to information law, data, and technology law including provision of legal counsel, advice, training, and litigation services.

The Assistant Chief Counsel for Information Law provides executive direction and oversight of all aspects of legal services supporting the Agency’s activity on three major sub-practices: (1) general information law; (2) intellectual property law, and (3) airmen and aircraft registry associated law.

The general information law practice addresses legal issues related to Voluntary Safety Reporting Programs, FOIA, privacy, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, litigation holds, records management, information system management, collaborative data management, and information collection.

The intellectual property practice area addresses legal issues pertaining to research & development, innovation & emerging technologies, technology transfer (i.e., cooperative research and development agreements), patents and licenses, data rights, copyright, and trademarks.

The Airman and Aircraft Registry practice provides legal advice and services in aircraft and airmen registration.

Principal Responsibilities

• Directs planning, policy development, and execution of all legal aspects relating to General Law programs for the FAA and the Office of the Chief Counsel.
• Renders opinions and interpretations of FAA’s General Law authority and policies consistent with government statutes, Executive Orders, and applicable Department of Transportation and FAA policies.
• Oversees the FAA’s General Law management programs in both headquarters and the regions, including litigation, training, policy direction, and evaluation of services provided by client offices.
• Implements legal aspects of General Law management, related strategic and organizational initiatives, and goals to include tracking and monitoring their completion. Provides expert legal advice regarding all aspects including technology and data issues related to Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, the litigation and legal issues pertaining to e-discover, records management and the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
• Establishes objectives and strategies for subordinates in support of the Information Law goals of the FAA. Directs the work of subordinate managers and staff attorneys working within the Information Law Division.
• Interacts routinely with Executives at the FAA, Department of Transportation, Department of Justice and other Federal agencies, the private sector, and members of Congress and their staffs to ensure the sufficiency and validity of legal analysis provided to execute policy.

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. This position has a positive education requirement: In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have at least a Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be admitted to practice before the bar of any U.S jurisdiction and be an active member of that bar. You must provide a copy of your official (or unofficial) transcript and an official certificate demonstrating you are an active member in good standing of a state bar at the time of application and by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If you are selected for this position, you will be required to submit an official transcript. Failure to submit required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in loss of consideration. Other Information

Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

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.

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

Required Documents

1. A resume that does not exceed five (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrates you possess the required leadership and technical requirements.

2. Proof of Education: Law school transcripts (official or unofficial).

3. Proof of good standing before a bar association in a U.S. jurisdiction.

4. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, if you are claiming noncompetitive eligibility as a current/former FAA Executive or current/former member of the Senior Executive Service or equivalent system.

5. A Senior Executive Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) certificate if you are claiming noncompetitive status based on your completion of an SESCDP program.

Note: Please do not submit additional materials (e.g., ECQ written narrative statements, DD Form 214, performance plans/evaluations, letters of recommendation); they will not be considered as part of the application package.

This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 905 series.

College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 905 series with the FAA.

College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying a 905 series.

If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.

How to Apply

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME ONLY. Your five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the leadership and technical requirement. Uploaded resumes must be attached to your application in USAJOBS and submitted in Word (or Word compatible) or PDF format. You are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications for specific examples and guidance on writing effective executive resumes, found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf.

You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.

SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates should submit a copy of their CDP program certification with their package.

Amendment Date: 05/01/2024

Amendment Note: This announcement has been extended.
AGC requested to make changes to duties. amended video to make it embeded

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

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