The employee shall serve as a Counsel in OGC as a participant in the agency's Legal Honors program. Under the supervision of senior legal staff, the Honors Counsel will conduct legal research; draft legal opinions, regulations, regulatory guidance, and other documents; interpret federal statutes and regulations; provide legal advice; and represent FHFA related to all aspects of FHFA's operations. *This posting is intended for candidates that have been admitted to the BAR*

Duties

This program is available to recent law school graduates (calendar year 2023 or 2024) who have been admitted to the bar and are currently employed in a judicial clerkship that will conclude by October 2025. The Honors Counsel will work on assignments from each of the three branches within OGC: Mission Branch supports FHFA's activities as supervisor and regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Banks, and the Office of Finance, including with respect to safety and soundness, charter compliance, executive compensation, and their housing and community investment missions; as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and as a member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Also supports the agency's legislative activities. Administrative Law and ADEO Branch provides overall direction, coordination, leadership, and representation on ethics, procurement and contracts, employment, trademark, mortgage fraud, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, data, research, and statistics and other administrative law matters. Enforcement & Compliance Branch supports FHFA's administrative actions to enforce compliance by its regulated entities with applicable laws, regulations, Agency decisions, and safe and sound practices. Litigation Branch provides oversight of litigation related to FHFA. Major Duties and Responsibilities Analyzes issues, conducts research, and prepares memoranda for senior attorneys on a wide variety of legal issues. Develops, drafts, and/or reviews documents such as legal opinions, regulations, policies, guidance, and related documents, legislation, contracts and other agreements, correspondence, pleadings, legal briefs, and other documents of importance to the agency. Reviews and interprets legislation, regulations, guidance, and policies. Works as part of a collaborative team with fellow legal staff, support staff, and subject matter experts on issues related to assigned areas of law or policy, including attending meetings with colleagues across FHFA. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates legal issues pertaining to FHFA in order to prepare legal documents, reports and memoranda for review, approval, and use by the General Counsel or other senior legal staff. Consults various electronic and hardcopy sources, including statutes, regulations, and case law. Researches, assembles, and summarizes legislative histories on issues of interest to FHFA staff. Performs legal research by utilizing a wide variety of electronic and hardcopy resources including electronic search engines and resources on the Internet. Contacts other regulatory and federal agencies to obtain information relevant to FHFA issues. Cite-checks, proofreads, and edits legal opinions and other OGC documents. Assists senior attorneys in litigation matters, including conducting research, drafting, and/or reviewing pleadings, and implementing strategies to address emerging challenges. Attends meetings with regulated entities and external parties on matters related to assignments, as appropriate. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• This is not a remote/virtual position, however, pursuant to the Agency's Telework Policy, some telework may be considered and approved.
• FHFA participates in e-Verify. All new hires must complete the I-9 Employment Verification form either on or before their first day of employment. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
• This position may require the completion of a financial disclosure report.
• This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. The union that represents employees in this position is the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 343.
• Appointments for Honors Counsel are 14-month temporary positions.
• Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Upon successful completion of the program, the employee may be considered for available vacancies in the Office of General Counsel.

Qualifications

This program is available to recent law school graduates (calendar year 2023 or 2024) who have been admitted to the bar and are currently employed in a judicial clerkship that will conclude by October 2025. Qualifying experience for the EL/GS-11 level includes: Basic Requirement for Attorney positions: All applicants must possess: J.D. or LL.B. degree --AND- Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the EL/GS-09 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position. EL/GS-11 level specialized experience include: A federal or state judicial clerkship after law school in which the candidate gained experience researching, analyzing, and drafting legal memoranda and other related documents. 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.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY 400 7th Street, SW Washington, DC 20219 US
• Name: Devin Hinkle
• Phone: (202) 649-3777
• Email: [email protected]