Trial Attorney

Join the team! Every U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) employee is proud to be a part of a team that works together to assure that the products you use every day are safe.

Basic Requirement:

All applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants are required to provide proof of current, active bar membership/good standing. GS-11: In addition to the basic requirement and qualifying specialized experience, applicants must have either: (1) one year of experience as a practicing attorney); OR (2) a second professional law degree (LL.M) OR (3) J.D. or LL.B degree with superior law student work or activities. Superior Law School Achievement is demonstrated by one of the following: Academic standing in the upper 1/3 of the law school graduating class Work or achievement of significance on his/her law school's official law review or journal Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif or obtaining the highest grade in a course Participating in a moot court, trial or arbitration competition or membership on such a team which represents the law school in competition with other law schools Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid or clinical law program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation Significant summer law office clerk experience or internship GS-12: In addition to the basic requirement and qualifying specialized experience, applicants must have either: (1) two years of experience as a practicing attorney); OR (2) one year of experience as a practicing attorney and a second professional law degree (LL.M). GS-13: In addition to basic requirement and qualifying specialized experience, applicants must have three years of experience as a practicing attorney. GS-14: In addition to basic requirement and qualifying specialized experience, applicants must have four years of experience as a practicing attorney. ALL applicants must also submit proof of successful completion of education requirements. This proof may consist of a law school transcript or other documentation which provides clear and specific proof of education, such as a diploma. A copy of an SF-50 only is not adequate proof of meeting the education requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. All education claimed by applicants will be verified. This position is located in the Division of Enforcement & Litigation, Office of Compliance and Field Operations. The Office identifies & investigates potentially hazardous products; enforces mandatory standards & regulations; negotiates voluntary recalls, other corrective actions & civil penalties; conducts administrative litigation to obtain mandatory recalls; supports Department of Justice in civil cases brought on behalf of CPSC; and assists in the drafting & review of rules and regulations affecting CPSC's compliance and enforcement authority.

Duties:

An attorney in the Division of Enforcement & Litigation will: Identify new matters to investigate based on internal and external data and newly emerging technologies; Investigate whether consumer products present substantial product hazards; Negotiate voluntary corrective actions with manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers; Determine investigative and legal strategies; Recommend whether cases should be closed, resolved informally or litigated; Litigate administrative actions seeking mandatory product recalls, including drafting pleadings and motions; Represent the Agency at hearings, trials, and appeals; Investigate and negotiate civil penalties stemming from violations of Acts administered by the Commission; Advise on and recommend referral of matters to the Department of Justice (DOJ); Provide legal advice related to regulations and policy affecting the Commission's compliance and enforcement authority. In addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: GS-12: 1) conducting investigations and assessing evidence developed in recommending litigation or other resolutions; 2) preparing pleadings and legal documents; AND 3) providing legal advice related to statutory and regulatory enforcement authorities. GS-13: Independently 1) conducting investigations and determining investigative and legal strategy; 2) drafting and negotiating agreements 3) drafting pleadings, motions, or legal memoranda; 4) participating in hearings or trials; AND 5) providing legal advice related to statutory and regulatory enforcement authorities. GS-14: Independently 1) conducting complex investigations and determining investigative and legal strategy; 2) drafting and negotiating complex agreements; 3) drafting complex pleading, motions, or legal memoranda; 4) representing clients in hearings or trials; AND 5) providing legal advice on complex matters related to statutory and regulatory enforcement authorities. Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.