Summary This position is in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Policy and Licensing Management Division, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, D.C. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS. Responsibilities Serves as Deputy Chief of the Policy and Licensing Management Division in the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau). As the Commission’s primary experts on public safety and homeland security matters, the Bureau’s mission is to put public safety first. The Bureau supports public safety and homeland security by developing and implementing policies, consistent with the FCC’s statutory authority, to promote access to effective, reliable, and secure communications, and by collaborating with government partners responsible for protecting the nation’s communications infrastructure. Portfolio. The Policy and Licensing Management Division develops and administers rules, regulations, and policies to support public safety entities - including law enforcement, fire and emergency medical first responders, Public Safety Answering Points, and emergency operations organizations - to protect the welfare of life and property and to safeguard the nation’s security. The Deputy Chief oversees an inter-disciplinary team comprised of legal and engineering subject matter experts who develop and implement the Commission’s initiatives to strengthen the nation’s 911 and first responder communications systems. The Deputy Division Chief’s core responsibility will be to serve as the Division’s primary manager responsible for the development of recommendations for improving the effectiveness and reliability of the 911 and first responder communications systems to benefit the public. These technically complex systems provide timely and life-saving emergency response to the public that makes communities safer. 911 and first responder systems are used nationwide to improve emergency response such as enhanced location accuracy for 911 calls and texts and routing 911 calls to the most appropriate 911 call center with callback and location information. The Deputy Chief works closely with the Bureau’s Deputy Bureau Chief responsible for 911 and public safety spectrum matters and with senior-level staff within the FCC and other federal agencies to ensure that the Commission’s rules and policies are responsive to the public’s need for effective and reliable 911 and first responder communications. The Deputy Chief’s duties may also include public safety and homeland security projects as directed by the Division Chief, close coordination with the Bureau’s Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division and Operations and Emergency Management Division, regular collaborations with FCC Bureau’s and Offices, and maintenance and development of information technology systems. The Deputy Chief supervises Division staff in the expert application and interpretation of administrative law generally and communications law in particular, e.g., the Communications Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Commission’s rules and decisions and court decisions affecting the Division’s activities. The Deputy Chief ensures that all Division work product under his or her supervision is consistent with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions and court and Commission precedent. He or she, as a first-line reviewer, ensures that staff documents are well-reasoned, legally valid and well-written before they are submitted to the Division Chief or Deputy Bureau Chief, other divisions within the Bureau, and other FCC Bureaus and Offices. Management Functions. The Deputy Chief reports directly to the Division Chief and assists the Division Chief in planning, directing and coordinating Division functions related to communications policy, rules, licensing and other homeland security-related activities that affect the public. The Deputy Chief assists the Division Chief in establishing priorities and strategies for the Division, including Division administration. He or she determines resource requirements, especially for assigned portfolio, and presents those requirements to the Division Chief for fulfillment. The Deputy Chief is responsible for the professional development of staff under his or her supervision. Stakeholder Engagement. The Deputy Chief counsels staff and leaders in other Bureaus and Divisions on public safety issues affecting their operations. He or she reviews and evaluates existing and proposed rules and policies to determine whether they adequately address modern public safety needs. The Deputy Chief serves as a point of contact for the Division’s relationship with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, emergency management officials, service providers, and industry associations. He or she convenes and participates in meetings with agency staff members, telecommunications industry representatives, trade associations, standards-setting bodies, and public safety stakeholders to discuss and promote public safety and homeland security. Requirements Conditions of Employment FCC Employees Only US Citizenship. Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation. SF-50 Documenting One Year of Time in Grade Required Bar Membership documentation required upon selection Transcripts required upon selection Financial Disclosure may be required Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status. Drug Testing Required. To be considered for this position, applicants must: Currently be employed in the Federal Communications Commission in positions serving under career, career conditional, or excepted service (Schedule A appointments under authority 213.3102(d)-Attorneys) appointments. SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov Qualifications Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. In order to be deemed as \"BEST QUALIFIED\" candidates must meet both the educational requirements and the specialized experience requirements outlined below. A. Education You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree JD, LL.B., and/or LL.M. If transcripts are not submitted at the time of application, a copy of the transcript must be submitted at the time of selection. AND B. Specialized Experience Applicants must have a minimum of four years of professional law experience, including one year of specialized experience which must be equivalent to at least the GS-14 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following: 1) Supervising and/or managing a multi-functional staff responsible for line/staff functions and activities; (2) Conducting legal research and interpreting law, policy and regulation related to communications, administrative, public safety/homeland security, and/or emergency warning matters; (3) Providing advice to senior officials on complex legal, regulatory, and/or policy matters involving communications, administrative, public safety/homeland security, and/or emergency warning matters; (4) Drafting, reviewing, editing and delivering complex legal and policy documents, briefing materials, technical reports, assessments, plans, and/or proposals; (5) Conducting oral presentations of plans, proposals, legal, and technical analysis to a variety of audiences, including senior leadership; and/or (6) Developing and implementing strategic plans. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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 Refer to information outlined under the \"Qualifications\" subheading. Additional Information EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance
Summary The Personnel Appeals Board\'s General Counsel Office (PAB/OGC) is seeking an experienced attorney to join its team at either the PA-II or PA-III level. PAB/OGC attorneys conduct investigations regarding a wide range of personnel and labor matters and may represent GAO employees, other charging parties, or the PAB/OGC in administrative proceedings before the PAB. Responsibilities PAB/OGC attorneys perform functions similar to attorneys who handle investigation and litigation functions at the FLRA, the EEOC, and OSC. PAB/OGC attorneys conduct investigations regarding a wide range of personnel and labor matters and may represent employees, other charging parties, or the PAB/OGC in administrative proceedings before the PAB. PAB/OGC attorneys also provide advice and counsel to GAO employees on issues within the jurisdiction of the PAB. A PAB/OGC attorney\'s typical work assignments may include the following: Investigations Investigate charges filed with the PAB/OGC alleging prohibited personnel practices, discrimination, retaliation, prohibited political activity, and unfair labor practices. Creating investigation plans, drafting requests for information and documents and conducting interviews of GAO officials, employees and other persons to obtain relevant information. Significant level of interactions with charging parties, counsel for GAO, and witnesses. Conducting legal research, analyzing the factual evidence and legal requirements of each case, and recommending appropriate action to the PAB General Counsel. Drafting the statement of investigation. Litigation Litigation before the PAB. Handling all aspects of case litigation including, interactions with counsel for GAO, the preparation of the petition for relief, drafting written discovery, taking and defending depositions, motions practice, drafting pre- and post-hearing briefs, and representing the petitioner at pre-hearing conferences, motion hearings, and the evidentiary hearing. Handling all aspects of settlement negotiations, including the drafting of settlement agreements. Advice and Counsel Prepare legal memoranda on issues within the jurisdiction of the PAB, including on complex legal issues involving the interpretation of federal and GAO personnel laws, rules and regulations. Provide advice to GAO employees on issues within the jurisdiction of the PAB. Draft comments on proposed changes to GAO regulations and policies. Represent the PAB/OGC at speaking engagements before GAO employee groups on matters within the jurisdiction of the PAB. For more information regarding the job\'s requirements please contact Darian Jackson, at jacksond@gao.gov. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a United States citizen. You must be able to meet and maintain the suitability and security requirements for the position. You must submit a financial disclosure report. You must be registered with the Selective Service, as applicable. You must complete a two-year probationary period unless you previously completed a trial or probationary period at GAO after October 1, 1980. You must remain an active member in good standing of the bar in any United States jurisdiction while in this position. If contacted for an interview, you will be required to submit a writing sample. If selected, you will be required to provide your official law school transcript that supports your claim that you meet the education requirements for the position. Qualifications You must meet the qualification requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You must be an active member in good standing of a bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. To qualify for the Trial Attorney, PA-II level, you must have a minimum of three years post J.D. experience as a practicing attorney which demonstrates: researching federal employment and labor laws that address prohibited personnel practices, discrimination, retaliation, prohibited political activity, and/or unfair labor practices; identifying and gathering evidence through investigations and/or discovery; preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation-related documents; and interacting with opposing counsel. To qualify for the Senior Trial Attorney, PA-III level, you must have a minimum of four years post J.D. experience as a practicing attorney which demonstrates: researching federal employment and labor laws that address prohibited personnel practices, discrimination, retaliation, prohibited political activity, and/or unfair labor practices; identifying and gathering evidence through investigations and/or discovery; preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation-related documents; and interacting with opposing counsel. This position will be filled at either the PA-II or PA-III level. Education You must meet the education requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Additional Information Salary ranges by location: Your salary range will be determined by your band level. Additional selections: We may use this announcement to hire for similar positions. Equal employment opportunity: The U.S. Government Accountability Office\'s policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Reasonable accommodation: GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodations@gao.gov.
