Duties

The Assistant Chief Counsel for Aviation Litigation provides executive direction and oversight for legal advice and services related to the agency's regulatory compliance and legal enforcement programs, including those related to the adoption of safety management systems, risk-based decision-making, and voluntary safety disclosure and reporting programs. The Assistant Chief Counsel represents the FAA in adjudications at the trial and appellate level and coordinates the U.S. Department of Justice's representation of the FAA in specific legal enforcement matters. In addition, the Assistant Chief Counsel provides executive direction for litigation strategy. The incumbent executes these duties and responsibilities via a geographically dispersed organization of approximately 65 attorneys and support professionals.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Directs the planning, policy development, and execution of all legal aspects relating to the legal enforcement program arising in relation to the agency's regulatory compliance and enforcement programs. Directs and coordinates legal sufficiency review of programs and policies so that program activities are consistent with priorities established by the FAA Administrator and Chief Counsel.

• Renders opinions and interpretations of FAA's regulatory compliance and enforcement programs and policies consistent with government statutes, Executive Orders, and applicable Department of Transportation and FAA policies.

• Evaluates the Safety and Technical Training organization's completion of short-term and long-term goals and program performance according to policy and strategic plans. Resolves issues and ensures timeliness of programs, operations, or projects.

• Oversees all legal aspects of the FAA's enforcement programs in both Headquarters and regional offices, including litigation, training policy direction, and evaluation of services provided by those offices.

• Oversees all aspects of legal services in the Alaska Regional Counsel and has oversight of significant interface and coordination on regulatory enforcement interpretations and implementation to ensure consideration of the unique needs of the Alaskan aviation system.

• Serves as the principal legal officer and expert for the agency in matters relating to litigation, including provision of legal counsel, advice, and service in the areas of aircraft accident litigation, aircraft accident hearings and inquiries, aircraft accident investigations, litigation against agency employees arising out of their official duties, and tort suits against the agency or its employees.

• Interacts routinely with Executives at the FAA, Department of Transportation, the Department of Justice and other Federal agencies, the private sector, and with members of Congress and their staffs to ensure the sufficiency and validity of legal analysis provided to execute policy.

Requirements

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 ) p a g e 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 providing legal advice and counsel on litigation matters.

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/admins/finaid/accred/index.html .

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.

Applicants 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 this announcement to verify qualifications. If you are selected for this position, you will be required to submit an official transcript.

Preview Job Questionnaire
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional 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/working_here/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