Attorney Advisor (Agency Law)

Surface Transportation Board; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Surface Transportation Board in Washington, DC seeks an attorney to conduct legal research, develop recommended outcomes of cases, and prepare initial drafts of Board decisions. Minimum qualifications include a professional law degree from an ABA‑accredited school and current bar membership in good standing.

The role requires excellent research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills. "We will consider only candidates submitting complete application packages" and a two-page resume

Qualifications

• Professional law degree from ABA-accredited law school.
• Current membership in good standing of the bar in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, regulations, and decisional law.
• Develop recommended outcomes of cases for Board decisions.
• Prepare initial drafts of Board decisions and present issues for decision.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Analytical ability

Education

J.D./LL.B./LL.M. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) is an independent regulatory agency responsible for economic regulation of freight railroads and limited regulatory responsibilities over passenger rail, certain water carriers, non-energy pipelines, trucking companies, and intercity bus companies. The position is responsible for conducting legal research, developing recommended outcomes of cases, and preparing initial drafts of Board decisions.

The Office of Personnel Management has not issued qualification standards for attorney positions. However, STB sets minimum qualifications for attorney positions and sets forth these qualifications for this position. Therefore, you must possess the following minimum qualifications before the closing date of this posting:

1. Professional law degree (LL.B., J.D., LL.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA);
   • Upon entering duty, current membership in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Proof of bar membership will be required before entering on duty.

All candidates must demonstrate through their application documents: excellent research and writing skills, incisive legal analytical ability, and strong oral advocacy and presentation skills.

Specialized Experience

GS-12 Level

GS-12 candidates must have one year of professional legal experience: analyzing statutes, regulations, and decisional law, and presenting those analyses and relevant legal or policy issues for decision. Federal clerkships count towards creditable experience.

GS-13 Level

GS-13 candidates must have two years of professional legal experience: analyzing statutes, regulations, and decisional law, and presenting those analyses and relevant legal or policy issues for decision and resolving disputes. Federal clerkships count towards creditable experience.

GS-14 Level

GS-14 candidates must have three years of professional legal experience: analyzing statutes, regulations, and decisional law, and presenting those analyses and relevant legal or policy issues for decision and resolving disputes. Candidates must possess a legal background in transportation, economics, administrative law, or government regulation. Federal clerkships count towards creditable experience.

GS-15 Level

GS-15 candidates must have four years of professional legal experience: analyzing statutes, regulations, and decisional law, and presenting those analyses and relevant legal or policy issues for decision and resolving disputes in support of an efficient, competitive, and economically viable surface transportation network. Candidates at this level will also have experience providing advice on complex technical issues concerning rail transportation. Federal clerkships count towards creditable experience.

We will consider only candidates who submit complete application packages (writing sample, cover letter, transcripts, and a resume).

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or education. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Please Note: Your resume cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages.

• Name, address, telephone number, email address;
• Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
• To receive full consideration for specialized experience, please list month/year to month/day/year (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY) or month/day/year to present (MM/DD/YY-present);
• Hours worked per week (if other than full time);
• If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY);
• Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination; and
• PLEASE NOTE: If you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.

If a determination cannot be made about the length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.