The Office of the General Counsel is seeking attorneys for its Information Law Division, which is responsible for legal matters pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act; Privacy Act; Federal Advisory Committee Act; records mgmt; Trade Secrets Act; Paperwork Reduction Act; & cybersecurity. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

Duties

The attorney(s) will be responsible for providing legal advice to Department management and employees on various aspects of the Department's FOIA process, including processing the Department's FOIA appeals for final agency decision by the Assistant General Counsel for Employment, Litigation, and Information (excluding the USPTO and Office of Inspector General). The attorney(s) will also support the Department's Privacy program by providing guidance on System of Records Notices (SORNs) and Privacy Act regulations. Other responsibilities may include reviewing and editing non-disclosure agreements, opining on the impact of the Paperwork Reduction Act, advising on applicability of the Trade Secrets Act, or counseling clients on compliance with the Department's records management requirements. Info Law is also looking for candidates with a demonstrated experience in cybersecurity law, including the Federal Information Security Modernization Act and the E-Government Act. Upon request, the attorney may also present training sessions to high-level officials or groups of employees on Info Law subject areas. The attorney(s) will be hired at the GS-11 through GS-15 grade levels, depending on experience. The promotion potential for this position is the GS-15 level. GS-11 Level: Performs a variety of legal duties such as: researching legal issues which are often factually complex and developing drafts of letters, memoranda, and legal documents for the use by a higher graded attorney. GS-12 Level: Performs a variety of legal duties such as researching legal issues which are often factually complex and developing drafts of letters, memoranda and legal documents for themselves or a higher graded attorney. Has subject matter knowledge in areas of information law. GS-13 Level: Performs a variety of legal duties such as researching legal issues which are often factually complex and developing drafts of letters, memoranda and legal documents for themselves or a higher graded attorney. Has subject matter expertise in areas of information law. GS-14 Level: The incumbent is responsible for the analysis of the legal issue in question, the development of the strategy to deal with the legal issue, and the content and means of delivery of the completed analysis of the legal issue. At this level, the incumbent provides legal advice to high level agency officials. Has in-depth subject matter expertise in areas of information law and has extensive experience in this area. GS-15 Level: Serves as Senior Counsel in the Information Law Division, as the lead attorney on a particular case or legal issue characterized by one or more of the following: 1) extremely complex difficult legal or factual issues requiring a high order or legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; 2) matters that can have the effect of substantially broadening or restricting the activities of an agency or have an important impact on major industry whose economic position affects the health and stability of the general economy; 3) the matter involves, directly or indirectly, or counsel to a major operating program posing complex legal questions. Provides legal advice, representation, and services to various bureaus within the Department with respect to complex and difficult questions of law; responsible for analysis of the legal issue in question, the development of the strategy to deal with the legal issue, and the content and means of delivery of the completed analysis of the legal issue. At this level, the incumbent typically deals with the top management of their agency as well as the top management and/or attorneys of other private and public organizations; and provide technical guidance to junior attorneys and influence policies.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic requirement for all grade levels: You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; AND You must have bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands. Minimum Requirements: The career ladder for attorney positions in OGC is generally GS-11 to GS-15. The minimum qualifications for hiring at each grade level (or equivalent) are as follows: GS-11: J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (The requirement that an applicant possess a J.D. may be waived if his or her bar membership is in a state that allows individuals to "read for the law" rather than pursue a formal academic degree). GS-12: GS-11 qualifications plus one-year legal experience, or additional relevant experience that distinguishes an entry-level attorney from the GS-11. This may include: a superior academic record; specific course work or an internship in the relevant legal area; another graduate or doctoral degree. Individuals hired into Legal Intern positions at the GS-11 may be reassigned to GS-12 attorney positions upon admission to the bar, irrespective of time-in-grade. GS-13: Two years of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal). Relevant non-legal professional experience could include, for example: experience as an International Program Specialist with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) when applying for a CLDP attorney position; or experience as an Employee Relations Specialist when applying for an Employment Law position. Likewise, experience in a non-attorney position within the Department, with resulting insight into the client's mission could warrant a higher grade, as could non-legal experience in regulated industry. When relying on non-legal professional experience, hiring managers must articulate in writing how the cited experience enhances the applicant's skills to warrant the higher grade. GS-14: Typically requires a minimum of three years of relevant legal experience. On the rare occasion, two years of relevant legal experience may, in the opinion of the General Counsel or his or her designee, suffice. GS-15: Typically requires a minimum of four years of relevant legal experience. On the rare occasion, three years of relevant legal experience may, in the opinion of the General Counsel or his or her designee, suffice. 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. Specialized Experience Requirements: Applicants must meet the General Professional Experience requirements set forth above and the below specialized experience by the closing date of the announcement. Specialized experience equips applicants with particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience includes knowledge of FOIA, the Privacy Act, Trade Secrets Act, records management, Paperwork Reduction Act, cybersecurity, and other open government laws. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to accurately identify and quickly analyze relevant and critical issues related to Information Law's areas. Applicants must demonstrate a record of strong interpersonal skills, good judgment, and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client bureaus. Applicants may be hired at any of the grades shown in this announcement, commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications. You are encouraged to identify the grade level(s) or salary for which you wish to be considered. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other General Attorney GS-0905-11/12/13/14/15 FPL-15 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Education

Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school. Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Secretary 1401 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20230 US
• Name: Conchita Lawrence
• Phone: 000-0000
• Email: [email protected]