Attorney-Adviser

Serves as an attorney-adviser in the Regulations Division (AGC-200), providing advice and legal counsel for a variety of regulatory matters.

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.

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. Receives direction from a manager or more experienced attorney when exceptionally difficult issues are encountered.

Work is vital to the legal programs of the regulations organization and applicable mission areas. Typical assignments include: providing legal support on rulemaking and other regulatory initiatives involving airworthiness law, including environmental certification of aircraft; providing legal and technical guidance to FAA offices, stakeholders, and others on the administration of FAA regulations pertaining to airworthiness law; reviewing guidance, policies, legislation, correspondence, and other documents involving airworthiness law for legal sufficiency; and evaluating and responds to petitions for exemptions and requests for legal interpretation of airworthiness regulations.

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.

Produces communications that are well-organized, clear, and persuasive. Provides advice tailored to the client and requirements of the agency. Adjusts communications to meet the audience expectations and level of understanding. Provides accurate, complete, and practical legal advice.

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of key client business processes, priorities, and objectives relevant to the practice area. Assists with accurately identifying client business objectives and issues when providing legal advice. Provides appropriate alternative solutions as needed to meet client’s strategic business objectives. Provides legal risk/reward analysis in support of business decisions.

Independently plans use of time and resources to accomplish complex objectives. Is expected to complete activities within established schedules and deadlines, including established priorities, analyze program requirements and accomplishments, and recommend adjustments needed to address program needs. Recommends schedules and allocations of resources to managers. Independently allocates resources to complete limited activities within established schedules.

Keeps practice area and AGC management informed of client issues and activities that may or should be discussed at a higher management level. Keeps supervisor timely informed of developments on the legal matters. Educates clients about efficient and effective use of legal resources. Effectively prioritizes work such that priorities are achieved and deadlines are met. Uses available staff resources and technology to manage work flow and product. Seeks feedback from clients regarding quality and timeliness of service. Pursues new ideas or approaches to strengthen personal and professional effectiveness. Follows established office administrative policies and
procedures. Effectively participates in appropriate training and/or learning activities.

Contacts are internal and external to the organization and the agency. Contacts are with other attorneys, agency managers, aviation industry representatives, and officials of courts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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;

(3) be an active member of that bar; and

Applicants must 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:

• Experience independently drafting or interpreting statutes, regulations, agency policy or guidance, or rulemaking documents to provide legal advice and counsel on routine regulatory matters.

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.**

This announcement is limited for the receipt of applications. Once at least 150 applications are received, it will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on that date, or on the initial closing date, whichever occurs first.