Summary This position is a staff attorney in the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Office of Chief Counsel General Law Division. The incumbent provides a wide range of legal services involving all functional areas assigned to the Office of Chief Counsel. The incumbent provides written and oral legal opinions interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, departmental orders, agency circulars, and contracts, and may be required to represent the Agency in proceedings. Responsibilities The General Law Division is responsible for (1) internal administrative laws in subjects such as federal contracting, employment, FOlA, and ethics; and (2) requirements applicable to FTA’s multibillion dollar infrastructure grant programs, including the laws of federal financial assistance, administrative law, domestic preference laws like Buy America, and providing guidance to the public. As an Attorney Advisor, you will: Provide legal opinions and advice as appropriate, interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, departmental orders, agency circulars, and contracts, with particular emphasis on all legal matters under the responsibility of the General Law Division. Provide legal advice and support on complex or high-profile legal and policy issues requiring a high degree of creativity and competence to identify and resolve. ln adversarial and adjudicative proceedings in which the incumbent may represent FTA—e.g., contracts and employment matters before administrative tribunals—the incumbent plans FTA’s litigation strategy, directs all discovery, and advocates on behalf of FTA through written and oral presentations. The ideal candidate has experience advising and representing a federal agency on administrative matters, preferably with experience administering federal grants or advising and defending contracting activity subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. This is an Excepted Service position. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period. ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. Qualifications The General Law Division is responsible for (1) internal administrative laws in subjects such as federal contracting, employment, FOlA, and ethics; and (2) requirements applicable to FTA’s multibillion dollar infrastructure grant programs, including the laws of federal financial assistance, administrative law, domestic preference laws like Buy America, and providing guidance to the public. To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following: GRADE 13 - A law degree, bar membership in good standing and TWO years of professional attorney experience and a second professional law degree (LL.M) which requires one full year of graduate study. GRADE 14 - A law degree, bar membership in good standing and at least THREE years of professional attorney experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Legal, Government and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process. Grants Management Law, Regulations, and Guidelines: Knowledge of principles, laws, regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines (for example, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB circulars) of grant or agreement programs, including their order of precedence. Contracting/Procurement: Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration. 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.