Summary

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) serves as the chief legal advisor to the Commission. OGC also represents the Commission in litigation and adjudicatory matters, assists the Commission in its rule-making and policy-making capacities, and performs a variety of critical legal functions regarding internal agency administration. The Deputy General Counsel serves as one of the principal advisors to the General Counsel on the formulation of overall policies for the Litigation Division.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

All sources.

Duties

This senior supervisory attorney position offers a unique opportunity to support the General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, to advise on a wide range of litigation and other complex legal and policy matters that come before the Commission, to support and shape policies, and to offer creative solutions to thorny legal and procedural issues. The incumbent will serve as a Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and is a critical member of the Office of General Counsel with wide and varied duties to help best protect the agency’s interests, including:

Collaborate with the General Counsel in shaping overall office polities related to litigation.
Supervise and review preparation of pleadings and briefs and presentation of oral arguments in connection with cases delegated to the Commission for handling.
Oversee all litigation at the appellate level, including handling cases in the Supreme Court in cooperation with the Solicitor General of the United States, the U.S. Courts of Appeals, and State Appellate Courts, as well as administrative proceedings before other Federal agencies involving communications matters.
Provide effective personnel management of assigned workforce through subordinate supervisors in accordance with Office of Personnel Management, Commission policies and procedures, in accordance with Office of Personnel Management and Commission policies and procedures.
Monitor program and policy initiatives of other Bureaus/Offices as well as other Agencies (e.g., NTIA, Department of State, Department of Justice).
Identify possible duplication, inconsistencies, or conflicts, and, in coordination with the General Counsel, takes steps to resolve problems or to achieve early resolution of problems, thus lessening the potential for intra- and inter-agency conflicts.
Advise the General Counsel and other Commission Officials on legal policy considerations of Commission studies and research projects.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

US Citizenship.
Must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
Drug Testing Required.
Top Secret/SCI Clearance Required
Bar Membership Required
Transcripts Required

This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position in accordance with the Commission's Drug-Free Workplace Plan. If selected for the position, you will be subject to drug testing prior to employment and periodic random testing after entering on duty.

Other:

Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

If applicable, you will be required to serve a probationary period of one year.

In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. When describing your experience, be clear and specific. Do not assume that we will infer details - your resume must clearly support the responses provided in your assessment questionnaire. If your resume does not substantiate your answers, credit cannot be given for those responses. Your resume must include your full name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and complete employment history. For each position listed, please include: Employment dates in MM/YYY - MM/YYY format (or MM/YYYY - Present), Agency/Employer name, Position title, Grade level(s) held (if applicable), hours worked per week (if less than full-time) and a detailed description of duties performed. For positions worked on less than a full-time basis, specify the percentage of time and length of time spent performing those duties.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, you must also demonstrate the following Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs):

Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the ECQs within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed). Current or former SES members must submit an SF-50 and/or QRB Certification of ECQs to show current or former service in the SES. OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Services Qualifications provides detailed information on the ECQs.

ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American.

ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5 - Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: All candidates must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the Mandatory Technical Qualifications within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed).

MTQ1 - Demonstrated ability to manage and oversee complex litigation activities, including developing legal strategies, supervising case preparation, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and court rules. Proven experience providing authoritative legal advice on high-impact cases that have significant policy, regulatory, or financial implications.

MTQ2 - Proven ability to lead and direct the development, interpretation, and application of legal policies related to agency or organization's programs and operations. Experience in anticipating legal challenges, shaping litigation strategy to align with organizational priorities, and advising senior leadership on controversial issues of the highest priority, risk management and policy implications.

MTQ3 - Demonstrated experience managing attorneys and support staff in a litigation environment, including allocating resources, setting priorities, ensuring quality work products, and fostering a collaborative and ethical work culture. Ability to mentor and develop staff, and ensure timely delivery of legal services under tight deadlines.

Education

You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Attorney positions. Applicants must possess a law degree (J.D. or LL.B) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member of the bar in good standing of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Veterans Information
Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be reviewed to determine the quality and extent of your relevant experience. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in this vacancy announcement, including the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) which must be clearly demonstrated within your resume and is limited to two (2) pages. Do not submit separate narrative statements; separate ECQ or MTQ narratives will not be accepted or considered.

Veterans Preference does not apply to this SES recruitment.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

1) Optional Applicant Questions; optional, but strongly encouraged for applicants seeking to demonstrate alignment with the agency's leadership values.

2) Resume (limited to 2 pages - 2 pages/1-side or 2 pages/both sides); cover letter optional.

3) TRANSCRIPT(S) verifying education requirements.

4) Proof of membership of the bar in good standing of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction.

5) SF50 or proof of SES reinstatement eligibility. OPM Candidate Development Program graduates must provide a copy of the OPM/QRB Criterion B certification.

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.

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

Apply on-line using the Commission's automated recruitment system in https://fcc.usajobs.gov or at www.usajobs.gov.

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CONSIDERATION, YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING (in addition to registration information required to utilize this web site):

1. Resume - Your resume must clearly demonstrate that you meet the ECQs and the MTQs required for this positions.

ECQs and MTQs must be addressed within your resume; separate narrative statements will not be accepted.
The resume may not exceed two (2) pages (2 pages/1-side or 2 pages/both sides).
Resumes should include the following information:
- - Vacancy announcement number such as SES-2025-001
  - Full name, mailing address, and day and evening phone numbers
  - Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
  - Duties and accomplishments
  - Employer's name and address
  - Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year)
  - Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments

If applying online poses a hardship, or you have any questions regarding eligible status, please contact the HR point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

2. Optional Essay Questions (Per OPM Guidance)

In accordance with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Merit Hiring Plan, applicants are encouraged to respond to the following four optional essay questions:

Question 1: How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from your professional, academic, or personal experience. (Constitutional Commitment)

Question 2: In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. (Government Efficiency)

Question 3: How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. (Advancing Executive Orders and Policy Priorities)

Question 4: How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic, or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effective in this position. (Work Ethic)

Your responses will not be scored or rated; however, they may be reviewed by the selecting official and agency leadership as part of the hiring process.
Each response should be no more than 200 words.
Applicants must certify that all responses are their own work and have not been generated by artificial intelligence tools.
You will not be disqualified if you choose not to respond.
Responses may be addressed on your cover page of the resume.

For more information on applying for federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page

Required documents must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern Standard Time of the closing date, or it will not be considered. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Agency contact information

Patrick Coates

Phone

202-418-6531

Fax

202-418-1498

Email

Patrick.Coates@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, a screening panel comprised of senior executives will assess the application packages to identify the best qualified candidates. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated to determine the degree to which they meet or exceed the ECQ and MTQ requirements. This evaluation will focus on your demonstrated leadership experience, technical expertise, and overall executive potential.

Candidates identified as highly qualified may be invited to participate in a structured interview and reference checks. Final selections are subject to OPM Qualification Review Board (QRB) certification of the ECQs for initial career SES appointment.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

08/25/2025 to 09/08/2025

Salary

$150,106 to - $225,700 per year

Pay scale & grade

ES 00

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Washington, DC

1 vacancy

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

Yes—Yes - as determined by the agency policy

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel to off-site meetings, court arguments and conferences as needed.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Senior Executive

Promotion potential

00

Job family (Series)

0905 Attorney

Supervisory status

Yes

Security clearance

Top Secret

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Announcement number

SES-2025-001

Control number

844233800

US Federal Communications Commission

ABOUT_COMPANY

Deputy General Counsel for Litigation