ATTORNEY ADVISOR (DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION)

This position is in the Investigations and Hearings Division (IHD), Enforcement Bureau (EB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Duties

Enforcement Bureau

The Enforcement Bureau (EB) has primary responsibility for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) enforcement of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, other statutes, and the FCC’s rules, orders, and terms and conditions of licenses and other authorizations. In addition to general enforcement and deterrence goals, EB dedicates its resources to investigations and enforcement actions involving FCC-regulated services and equipment that significantly impact: (1) consumer protection and privacy; (2) data security, cybersecurity, and supply chain integrity; (3) national security, public safety, emergency services, and harmful interference; (4) fraud targeting critical FCC-administered programs; and (5) fair competition and equal opportunities.

Investigations & Hearings Division

Within EB, the Investigations & Hearings Division (IHD) handles some of the EB’s largest and most complex enforcement matters. It conducts investigations and takes enforcement actions across a broad range of issues involving virtually all services subject to FCC jurisdiction. IHD’s functions include investigating and taking appropriate enforcement action against telecommunications, broadcast, cable, and satellite licensees; multichannel video programming distributors (MPVDs); DBS operators and/or wireless licensees for violations of Titles II, III, and VI; various FCC privacy, data security, cybersecurity, and transparency rules concerning broadband services, cable television, satellite services, and other communications offerings; as well as Universal Service Fund and Congressionally appropriated programs rule violations. IHD also conducts complex investigations of violations involving unauthorized transfers of control of domestic and international FCC authorizations and licenses and undisclosed and unauthorized foreign investment in FCC license holders.  In addition, IHD serves as FCC trial staff for all administrative hearings and oversees the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance of television and radio broadcast licensees, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) providers and MVPDs.

Major Duties

As a Senior Attorney Advisor, the incumbent works on cases or legal issues of extreme complexity, including compliance with Universal Service Fund requirements, unauthorized transfers of control/unauthorized operations, national security matters, foreign ownership issues, Digital Discrimination and Open Internet rules. The incumbent is responsible for providing authoritative legal advice to the Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief, Assistant Division Chief, and other supervisors concerning highly complex and controversial, policy-oriented enforcement issues including, but not limited to, those impacting telecommunications services.

Salary

• $139,395 - $191,900/year

Conditions of Employment

• Bar Membership Documentation Required Upon Selection.
• Education-Transcripts Required Upon Selection.
• US Citizenship.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status
• SF-50 Documenting One Year of Time in Grade Required

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions.  Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.

SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade.  If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

In order to be deemed as "BEST QUALIFIED" candidates must meet both the educational requirements AND the Specialized Experience.

A. Education

You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Education requirements include:  a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M. 

NOTE-If you do not provide a transcript at the time of application, a transcript will be required to be provided at the time of selection.

AND

B. Specialized Experience

For GS-14: Applicants must possess at least three years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, examples of specialized experience includes:

1. Conducting legal research on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services;
2. Preparing comprehensive legal documents;
3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues;
4. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority.

For GS-15: Applicants must possess at least four years of professional law experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, examples of specialized experience includes:

1. Providing legal advice and guidance on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services;
2. Preparing comprehensive legal documents including reviewing and editing documents drafted by others;
3. Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues;
4. Making oral presentations, communicating legal research results, and defending legal positions at all levels of authority;
5. Interacting with individuals at all levels of authority

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE:  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.

Education Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the "Qualifications" section. Other Information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Other:
-  Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.  The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application.  If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

-  If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.

-  In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

*NOTE-This position is in the bargaining unit.  The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.  

Required Documents

Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement. 

You must submit a resume at the time of application.  Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy.  Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade.  If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.

This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.

• Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
• Proof of current, active bar membership.
• Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues.
• Professional references.

Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. 

Supplemental Documents Required:

• Current Federal employees should submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade.  If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
• Transcripts
• Bar Membership

If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.

Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge.  Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide

How to Apply

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov/

Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.

If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts.

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov

NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.

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.

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:

Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting