This vacancy is for an Attorney Advisor in the Office of the Secretary, Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel for the Minority Business Development Agency (OCC-MBDA) within the Department of Commerce. OCC-MBDA is seeking dedicated, equity-focused attorneys to join its dynamic and growing team. OCC-MBDA provides legal and policy guidance that enables the MBDA to carry out its mission of advancing the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises.

Duties

OCC-MBDA attorneys work hand-in-hand with MBDA and DOC policy experts to translate MBDA's policy goals into actionable programs and initiatives that serve underserved populations. MBDA is in an exciting period of growth and transformation after receiving statutory authority via the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 and swearing in its first Under Secretary. MBDA will continue to implement and improve its existing programs - including its flagship national Business Center program and its new Capital Readiness Program - and will continue to design new and innovative initiatives, including those that focus on access to capital and other critical issues facing MBEs and underserved entrepreneurs. As an Attorney Advisor in OCC-MBDA, you will perform the following duties: Work on matters that can have an important impact on equity and the U.S. economy. Ensure that MBDA complies with applicable legal requirements imposed on its programs by statute, regulation, case law, Executive Order, OMB guidance, or controlling policy. Ensure the legal sufficiency of MBDA grant or cooperative agreements, including advising on legal matters regarding program design, competition and application review procedures, and post-award engagement and performance monitoring. Support MBDA in working with other U.S. Government agencies on coordinating federal programs and dismantling systemic barriers for minority business enterprises (MBEs). Coordinate with legal offices in other parts of DOC and in other U.S. Government agencies. Perform duties on a range of legal issues that will vary in legal and factual complexity, often of a novel nature, and with limited if any applicable procedures. Conduct research, develop legal strategies, and develop and present recommendations to policy officials. Thoroughly and thoughtfully research and develop legal options in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Attorney Advisor, GS-0905-11/12/13/14/15, Full Performance Level (FPL) GS-15 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Requirements

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel Attorney and Law Clerk Hiring Process and Advancement Guidelines. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has no Group Coverage Qualification Standard for this series. Basic Requirements for All Grade Levels: EDUCATION: You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school and BAR MEMBERSHIP: You must have a bar membership in one of the 50 United States, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must also meet the additional experience requirement. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in federal financial assistance (grants) law; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); contracts law; administrative law; constitutional law; entrepreneurship or business development; or mergers, acquisitions, raising venture capital, tax, or other related issues facing small businesses. We are seeking candidates with the following additional skills: Customer-service-oriented approach to legal problems and solutions; Strong research, editing, and writing skills; Effective analytical and reasoning skills with respect to identification and recommended minimization of legal risk; Professional communication skills needed to successfully engage with peers, colleagues, supervisors, and clients; Ability to handle and be responsible for a variety of assignments with short, time-critical deadlines; and Interpersonal communication skills suitable for successfully working on a team on projects that require legal analysis. Familiarity or experience in federal financial assistance (grants) law is a plus, as is a demonstrated interest in public service and a demonstrated ability to meaningfully contribute to OCC-MBDA's workplace culture. Salary and level of supervision will be determined based on the applicant's level of experience and expertise, in accordance with the following guidelines. For purposes of this position, professional legal experience may consist of paid or unpaid experience post bar-admission, including Federal or State Government experience, law firm or legal practice, judicial clerkship, and/or unpaid volunteer legal work. GS-11: Applicants at the GS-11 level should have a J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands. GS-12: Applicants at the GS-12 level should have one year of professional legal experience or additional relevant experience.This may include: relevant non-legal professional experience, a superior academic record, specific course work or an internship in relevant legal areas, or another graduate or doctoral degree. GS-13: Applicants at the GS-13 level should have at least two years of professional legal experience in a government agency, private sector entity, or non-profit organization. GS-14: Applicants at the GS-14 level should have at least three years of professional legal experience in one of the fields listed above in this section. Experience in federal financial assistance law or experience advising companies on accessing capital or other commercial matters will be viewed most competitively. Applicants at the GS-14 level should also demonstrate the ability to work independently with lower levels of supervision. GS-15: Applicants at the GS-15 level must have at least five years of professional legal experience and a demonstrated expertise in federal financial assistance law or access to capital or other substantive issues facing businesses. Applicants at the GS-15 level must also have a demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum levels of supervision. 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.

Education

See Qualifications Above.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Secretary 1401 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20230 US
• Name: Sandra Soderstrom
• Email: [email protected]