Duties

Are you skilled in written advocacy? Do you enjoy building a case through interrogatories, document requests, and depositions? Put those litigation skills to good use and come join the Hearings team in the Enforcement Bureau’s Investigations & Hearings Division (IHD)!

In addition to the work IHD does conducting investigations and taking enforcement actions across a broad range of issues involving virtually all services subject to FCC jurisdiction, IHD also serves as trial staff for all administrative hearings conducted before a Commission administrative law judge or other presiding officer pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 556 of the Administrative Procedure Act.

The FCC’s administrative hearings – which are often conducted on a written record – require strong advocacy skills and creative thinking. These hearings address complex issues that can have an important impact on major industry parties; and that can be of intense public interest. These hearings frequently address issues such as the qualifications to hold a Commission license; whether a licensee has violated Commission rules; and whether a broadcast station has engaged in conduct that serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

The open position offers the opportunity to work as part of a team (1) developing case strategy; (2) conducting legal research and analysis; (3) drafting comprehensive legal documents such as memoranda, procedural motions, and substantive case briefs; (4) investigating key factual and legal issues; (5) preparing interrogatories and requests for documents; (6) interpreting applicable law and policy and documents and information received in response to information requests; (7) taking depositions; (8) appearing before the administrative law judge or other presiding officer; and (9) negotiating case resolutions.

The open position is responsible for interpreting the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and/or similar administrative and appellate rules and procedures, and the Commission’s rules, regulations, and policies.

The open position is responsible for keeping abreast of legal developments affecting enforcement issues related to broadcast and wireless licenses and legal authorizations to operate through a review of court and Commission decisions, professional publications, and trade press. Communications law experience is not required.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Bar Membership Documentation Required Upon Selection.
• Education-Transcripts Required Upon Selection.
• US Citizenship.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status
• SF-50 Documenting One Year of Time in Grade Required

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.

SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL 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

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
  Health Insurance
  Life Insurance
  Dental & Vision Insurance
  Flexible Spending Accounts
  Long-Term Care Insurance
  Holidays and Leave
  Retirement
  Thrift Savings Plan
  Transit Benefit
  Alternative Work Schedule
  Telecommuting

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement.

  You must submit a resume at the time of application. Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.

  This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.

  • Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
  • Proof of current, active bar membership.
  • Writing sample demonstrating the ability to analyze complex legal and/or policy issues.
  • Professional references.

  Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
  Supplemental Documents Required:

  • Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent annual performance appraisal and an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
  • Transcripts
  • Bar Membership

  If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.
  Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge. Please refer to OPM's VetGuide for further information about veterans' preference via the following link: VetGuide

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov/

  Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.

  If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

  Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts.

  To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov

  NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.

  Agency contact information

  CHRISTINA GREEN

  Phone

  202-418-1161

  Email

  CHRISTINA.GREEN@FCC.GOV

  Address

  Federal Communications Commission
  45 L Street NE
  Washington, District of Columbia 20554
  United States

  Next steps

  Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public-All US Citizens