Duties

As the Attorney Adviser in this position, you will:

• Participate in all aspects of important, challenging cases, including development of strategy and legal research.
• Draft briefs, complaints, answers, motions, and other documents necessary to represent the Commission in court, frequently including sophisticated dispositive motions involving complex constitutional and administrative-law issues.
• Take depositions, handle written discovery, present oral argument, and draft and negotiate settlements.
• Provide advice to the Commission and appear before the Commission to report on assigned litigation matters.
• Provide assistance to the United States Solicitor General in representing the Commission and addressing questions before the Supreme Court that impact the agency's programs.
• Have the opportunity to apply for one of the limited opportunities the Office of General Counsel provides for periodic temporary details to the U.S. Attorney's Office in DC for prosecution of misdemeanors.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You must be able to pass a background investigation.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
• You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• You must meet qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
• As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected for this position, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22, 2021. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement if you are selected.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirements and the Experience Requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience and demonstrate how you meet each applicable requirement. A copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

Basic Requirements (applicable to both grade levels):

A. Education: Possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

AND

B. Bar Membership: Be an active member in good standing of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting both of the Basic Requirements above, you must meet the experience requirements for the applicable grade level.

Your resume must include sufficiently detailed evidence of the following experience, including dates.

Experience Requirement for the GS-13 Level:

You must have at least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level, which involves considerable judgment and comprehensive litigation knowledge. This must include activities such as: (1) handling written discovery, assisting with taking or defending depositions, or negotiating settlements; (2) conducting legal research; (3) drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, or other court documents; (4) developing strategies and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish projects or cases; and (5) making oral presentations of legal arguments or results of legal research/analysis.

Experience Requirement for the GS-14 Level:

You must have at least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level, which involves exceptional judgment and a mastery of litigation. This must include activities such as: (1) independently handling written discovery, assisting with taking or defending depositions, and/or negotiating settlements; (2) conducting extensive legal research; (3) independently drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, or other court documents; (4) developing strategies and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish cases; and (5) assisting with or making oral argument in a court or administrative hearing.

In addition, you must provide a Cover Letter summarizing your evidence of the following competencies identified below:

Litigation: Participates in court proceedings, including by drafting filings, handling written discovery, assisting with taking and defending depositions, and negotiating settlements.

Legal Analysis: Researches, analyzes, and explains complex legal issues such as constitutional, jurisdictional, and administrative-law issues. Legal Writing: Writes clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents.

Planning and Coordinating: Plans and organizes projects or cases; develops strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.

Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; communicates complex legal principles succinctly and clearly.

Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer work experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: If you are selected at the GS-13 level, you may be promoted without further competition to the GS-14 level once you have served 18 months at the GS-13 level and met performance requirements. Selection at the GS-13 level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Education

Are you using education to qualify?
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated unofficial transcripts are acceptable

Additional information

FEC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; or transportation subsidies.

If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Federal Election Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference , and submit the supporting documentation required by that form.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.