Duties

The FCC is an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, and acts as the primary authority for regulating interstate and international communications, implementing and enforcing America's communications law and regulations, and related technological innovation. Within the FCC, the Enforcement Bureau (EB) is primarily responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Communications Act and the Commission's rules, orders, and various licensing terms and conditions. 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:

• Consumer Protection, Privacy, Data Security, and Cybersecurity;
• Supply Chain Integrity and National Security;
• Public Safety, Emergency Services, and Harmful Interference;
• Fraud Targeting Critical FCC-Funded and -Administered Programs; and
• Fair Competition and Equal Opportunities.

EB's work further supports the FCC's mission to strengthen the defense of the nation's communications infrastructure. That work is of vital importance as communications and related technologies are critical in today's world, where life is increasingly data-driven and interconnected. Continuingly evolving communications technologies not only give consumers access to the wider world, but also act as an attack vector for wrongdoers.

Within EB the Telecommunications Consumers Division (TCD) investigates many of the Commission's highest profile consumer protection cases, including those focused on combatting illegal robocalls and protecting consumer privacy. Attorneys on TCD's Privacy Team investigate issues relating to consumer privacy, data protection, supply chain, and cybersecurity issues in potentially high-profile incidents, sometimes affecting millions of consumers. These attorneys work on cases involving myriad and often cutting-edge technologies. TCD Privacy Team cases typically require critical and creative thinking, an ability to learn about both new technology and methods of attack, and coordination with other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities. The Privacy Team's cases offer attorneys a chance to work on fast-paced, high stakes, and intellectually challenging investigations that can implicate both individual consumer and broader security risks.

In addition to investigative work, TCD Privacy Team attorneys have the opportunity to advance policies related to consumer protection, data security, and cybersecurity, leverage cooperation among other federal, state, and local entities, and continually develop their skills and knowledge. TCD Privacy Team attorneys coordinate with other FCC bureaus and offices to provide relevant expertise for use in rulemakings and other policy proceedings. Both EB and TCD attorneys maintain working relationships with counterparts at other federal agencies (including Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission) and international regulatory organizations to heighten awareness of relevant legal and privacy issues.

Duties:

The incumbent serves as an attorney working primarily on cases involving enforcement of Telecommunications Act provisions that protect consumers, focusing on: those related to privacy, data security, and cybersecurity but also on other provisions including: illegal robocalls, telecommunications billing practices, and the unauthorized changing of consumers' preferred telecommunications providers. Although not required, technical experience in data security and cybersecurity is considered a plus.

The incumbent works on highly complex legal cases. These cases typically involve complicated factual situations where clear precedents are not readily available or apparent. These are often characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex, difficult issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; (2) matters that can have an important impact on major industry parties whose economic position affects major private and public interests; (3) matters of intense public interest and impact. The incumbent applies rigorous critical thinking and analysis skills to solve problems, make recommendations to supervisors, and executes tasks needed to complete investigations and issue legal actions. Decisions about legal conclusions based upon the facts and the relevant legal authorities are made in conjunction with the supervisor, with the incumbent playing a critical role in (1) identifying, (2) researching, and (3) communicating accurate, timely, and appropriately detailed information to support well-reasoned legal conclusions and informed decision-making at all levels.

Requirements

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.
• Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 to verify grade,status

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.

ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC 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.

CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-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

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience in or equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

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:

Conducting legal research on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services;

Preparing comprehensive legal documents;

Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues;

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:

Providing legal advice and guidance on federal statutes, rules, and regulations relating to providers of communications and/or telecommunications services;

Preparing comprehensive legal documents including reviewing and editing documents drafted by others;

Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting findings and recommendations on complex legal issues;

Making oral presentations, communicating legal research results, and defending legal positions at all levels of authority;

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.

Additional 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.