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Summary The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S. Department of Transportation), improves transportation by anticipating and addressing emerging issues and advancing technical innovations across all transportation modes. Volpe partners with agency as well as public and private organizations to assess transportation needs, evaluate research and development endeavors, assist in the deployment of state-of-the-art technologies, and inform transportation decision making. Responsibilities The Volpe Center Attorney-Advisor (General) for the Office of Legal Services will be responsible for providing legal services and representation for all aspects of the Center’s operations and programs. You will serve as a legal advisor to Center staff and represent, or assist higher-level attorneys in representing, the Center in all legal matters. There is opportunity for involvement in complex and novel legal issues in diverse fields of law due to the Center’s unique status as a fee-for-service agency. The ideal candidate is a superb communicator and enthusiastic attorney with at least 1 year of experience committed to providing public sector organizations with the highest quality legal services and customer service. They will have skill and experience providing sound and timely legal services in one or more of the following areas: financial agreements, financial compliance and audits, ethics, labor and employment law, equal opportunity, privacy and public records laws. Dedication to fostering the highest levels of legal and ethical compliance is critical. The ideal candidate will analyze complex areas of federal law and develop and implement strategic solutions to legal issues. The ability to resolve issues and propose legally sound solutions is key. The candidate must be able to provide excellent customer service, working independently or in teams. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. This is an Excepted Service position. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period. ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position may involve travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. WRITING SAMPLE: A writing sample will be requested from applicants who are determined as qualified and referred to the selecting official. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter. Qualifications To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following: GRADE 12 - A professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be in good standing; AND 1 year of relevant professional legal experience providing legal advice and counsel to the Federal or a state government, or in private practice, including researching, analyzing, and advising on legal policies, procedures, practices, and applicable laws, and Federal guidance. GRADE 13 - A professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be in good standing; AND 2 years of relevant professional legal experience providing legal advice and counsel to the Federal or a state government, or in private practice, including researching, analyzing, and advising on legal policies, procedures, practices, and applicable laws, and Federal guidance. GRADE 14 - A professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be in good standing; AND 3 years of relevant professional legal experience providing legal advice and counsel to the Federal or a state government, or in private practice, including researching, analyzing, and advising on legal policies, procedures, practices, and applicable laws, and Federal guidance. 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: Communication: Knowledge of and experience in providing legal guidance, analysis and advice in a manner that promotes legal compliance across the Center; build effective relationships with individuals and groups across the organization, inside and outside the agency; explain, advocate and express legal concepts, facts and ideas in a compelling manner. Ability to prepare and present legal concepts and training materials before diverse audiences. Ability to write clearly, concisely and persuasively, with particular emphasis on the ability to analyze and explain complex legal issues. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. Customer Service: Ability to maintain effective working and reporting relationships with interagency peers, subject-matter experts, support staff, and management officials. Partnering - Develop networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals. 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. Education MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Additional Information PLEASE NOTE: Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid. Relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.