Attorney Advisor

Federal Transit Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Transit Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Legislation and Regulations Division, seeks a Staff Attorney. The assigned attorney provides legal advice on appropriations, fiscal law, APA, PRA, NTD, bus testing, rulemaking, safety, legislative drafting, civil rights, ADA, and environmental law.

The role requires independent legal analysis and clear written/oral communication for internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of grant or agreement programs, laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Knowledge of state and federal administrative law and related procedures.
• Familiarity with government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules.

Responsibilities

• Provide written and oral legal opinions interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, and agency guidance.
• Draft proposed and final regulations and Federal Register documents per the APA and PRA.
• Present legal conclusions to agency officials and external stakeholders.

Skills

Grants Management Laws

Administrative Law

Jurisprudence

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Bar admission in US (state or DC)

Job description

Summary

This position is for a Staff Attorney in the Federal Transit Administration's Office of Chief Counsel, Legislation and Regulations Division. The attorney provides legal advice on appropriations and fiscal law, the Administrative Procedure Act and Paperwork Reduction Act, the National Transit Database, bus testing, rulemaking, safety, legislative drafting and technical assistance, civil rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and environmental law.

Duties

Help

As an Attorney Advisor, you will:

• Provides legal advice on matters relating to annual multi-billion-dollar grant making program with a focus on the Federal Law-making process.
• Provides written and oral legal opinions, interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, departmental orders, and agency circulars, with emphasis on all legal requirements.
• Drafts proposed and final regulations and other Federal Register documents in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and assists program offices in preparing regulatory analyses and evaluations.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with excellent written and oral communication skills. The candidate is independently present legal conclusions to high level organizational officials as well as outside groups.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• This is an Excepted Service position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• 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.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.

Qualifications

GRADE 12 - You must have a law degree, be an active member in good standing of a bar, and have at least one year of professional attorney experience.

GRADE 13 - You must have a law degree, be an active member in good standing of a bar, and have at least two years of professional attorney experience.

GRADE 14 - You must have a law degree, be an active member in good standing of a bar, and have at least three years of professional attorney experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):

• Grants Management Laws, 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.
• Administrative Law: Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
• 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.

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

Education

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

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 2-year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. Code9202(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, [e-mail]. 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.