Attorney Advisor - EXCEPTED SERVICE

You will serve as Deputy Chief Counsel at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, providing expert legal advice on agency operations, policy, and regulatory matters. Support the Chief Counsel in coordinating legal services, consulting with stakeholders, and guiding policy development. Advise leadership, including the Superintendent, on legal issues affecting programs, initiatives, and agency activities.

Qualifications:

To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

GRADE 14 - Applicant must: be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least THREE (3) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature; AND be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Technical - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the job experience to perform one's job: works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to administrative and aviation law, and the provisions of the rules, regulations, acts and statutes under which the Department functions; advises others on technical issues.
• Communication - expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical sensitive controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

The Attorney Advisor:

• Serves as an attorney and subject-matter expert in Federal employment law and labor relations, providing authoritative legal advice andrepresentation to agency leadership, management officials,  human capital professionals. The attorney independently handles complex, high-visibility matters involving Federal personnel law, labor-management relations, and equal employment opportunity, often with significant legal, financial, operational, and policy implications for the Agency and represents the Agency before administrative tribunals and external adjudicatory bodies and provides strategic guidance on workforce-related matters affecting Agency operations nationwide.
• Represents the USMMA on legal matters affecting the USMMA at inter and intra agency and departmental meetings, conferences and other events, coordinating legal support for the USMMA from other attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel.
• Advises the USMMA policy and program formation and implementation and providing legal advice and counsel incident to agency initiatives, issuances, directives, and correspondence and providing legal advice incident to inspections, investigations and related reports concerning the USMMA.
  Provides legal advice to the USMMA on legislative and regulatory proposals affecting USMMA programs and operations and providing written and oral counsel, opinions and decisions on legal aspects of DOT and USMMA activities.
• When requested by the Chief Counsel, participates in the formulation and advancement of USMMA legislative proposals.
• When requested by the Chief Counsel, drafts legislation, regulations, and policy statements; participates in the preparation and review of testimony before Congressional committees; and drafts responses to Congressional inquiries.

The ideal candidate is an experienced attorney with expertise in Federal employment law, labor relations, and administrative law. Demonstrates ability to provide strategic legal advice on complex, high-visibility matters affecting agency operations, policy, and workforce issues. Skilled in advising senior leadership, coordinating legal support, and representing agencies in administrative proceedings.

Strong analytical and decision-support abilities, with experience evaluating legal and regulatory risks and developing sound recommendations. Proficient in policy development, legislative and regulatory review, and drafting legal opinions and correspondence. Exercises sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently in support of mission-critical initiatives.

Salary : $148,222