Duties

Summary

Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Public Information and Education performs authoritative and accurate legal research, provides legal advice to internal staff on all matters of Copyright law, advises on legal matters, and participates in the training of Copyright Office staff and in educational outreach programs.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers the Copyright Law, advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world's largest database of copyright public records; and provides information and reference services to the public.

The Office of Public Information and Education is responsible for providing information to the public and to the copyright community regarding U.S. copyright law and Copyright Office services. Staff of the Office of Public Information and Education respond to inquiries from the public, create and distribute Copyright Office publications, plan and execute a variety of educational activities, engage in outreach with diverse audiences via social media, and maintain the Copyright Office's website.

While performing daily activities, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring proper handling and security of all Library and Copyright Office materials.

This position is located in the Office of Public Information and Education, U.S. Copyright Office.

The position description number for this position is 323322.

The position has promotion potential to GS-14.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Provides legal advice, analyses, and guidance on copyright law issues and problems to staff on a case by case basis. Also provides high level analysis, advice, and recommendations to staff based on research performed.

Revises and maintains legally accurate and up-to-date Copyright Office circulars and fact sheets as necessary. Review program materials for legal soundness and accuracy.

Represents the Associate Register in his/her absence and/or on his/her behalf, with government and private sector representatives on all matters involving novel and extremely complex copyright law issues. May accompany the Associate Register to meetings, events, and speaking engagements to coordinate and defend highly sensitive acquisitions which are of interest to the highest levels of the government.

Serves as legal counsel to the ongoing effort to maintain Copyright Compendium III. Advises on questions of law or administrative policy involved in the operations of the organization and in its contacts with industry, private and professional associations, State, local, or the general public. Prepares recommended interpretation outlining the facts and applicable law.

Creates and presents training to Public Information Office staff on all matters of Copyright law. Assists the Copyright Academy in the training and education of Copyright Office staff on topics within the incumbent's area of expertise. Participates in outreach projects conducted by the Education Program. May prepare speeches, portions of speeches, articles, briefs, and other materials in connection with assigned matters.

Establishes relationships and communicates with various key stakeholders and interested parties in a formal and/or informal setting who may have various viewpoints and opinions that may agree, conflict, or be a combination of the two.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must meet the BASIC REQUIREMENTS listed under EDUCATION.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to Plan, Prioritize, Organize and/or Execute Training or Other Education/Outreach Initiatives.**

Ability to Conduct Legal Research and Analysis.**

Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing.

Ability to Develop and Maintain Effective Working Relationships and Interact Collaboratively with Others.

Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally Through Briefings, Consultations, and Other Presentations.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

Applicants must possess an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Appointees must maintain active membership in good standing of the bar throughout their employment.

Condition of Employment: Must maintain active (or equivalent) membership in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico while employed as an attorney at the Library of Congress.

Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law must be attached to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of the application. Official documents will be required if selected.

Proof of bar membership demonstrating that applicant is an active (or equivalent) member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf .

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

All applicants must submit copies of the following documentation with their application materials. APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT SUBMIT THIS REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Official documents will be required if selected.

Copies of license or certification demonstrating that applicant is an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit proof of disability. If Selective Placement is applicable to you, you will not be considered without submitting this documentation.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.