Serves as legal counsel within the Office of the Chief Counsel, providing guidance and consultation to management on a variety of legal matters, including representing the Agency in employment-related litigation.
Learn more about this agency
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Represents the agency in employment and labor law litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), other administrative fora, and in conjunction with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Attorney’s Offices, in federal courts. Provides review and analysis of complex and significant issues within the practice areas to ensure compliance with existing laws, statutes, regulations and agency policies. Provides legal advice and counsel to agency management, including high level officials, in employment and labor law and other relevant matters within the practice portfolio.
Reviews and advises on positions taken regarding personnel reform concerning employment issues to ensure consistent application and interpretation. Reviews national human resources policies and provides feedback concerning employment and labor law policies to the Office of Human Resource Management (AHR) and FAA leaders.
Develops and delivers relevant training to management and staff on a variety of employment and labor law on an ongoing basis.
Conducts thorough legal research by appropriately identifying and analyzing relevant legal and factual issues and arguments. Assesses legal strengths and weaknesses of available arguments to provide accurate, complete, and practical legal advice and conclusions. Identifies and learns emerging issues, principles, and practices relevant to the legal practice area.
Provides advice tailored to the client and requirements of the agency. Adjusts communications to meet audience expectations and level of understanding. Keeps client and practice area management informed of issues and activities that may or should be discussed at a higher level. Manages workload to ensure that priorities are achieved and deadlines are met. Participates in appropriate training and/or learning activities.
Performs full performance level assignments under limited direction. Serves as an individual contributor, team member, or project leader for routine assignments. Applies considerable experience and advanced professional legal knowledge to assignments. Performs most assignments independently and receives direction from a manager or more experienced attorney when exceptionally difficult issues are encountered.
Based on professional knowledge, plans and carries out assignments, resolves most conflicts, coordinates with others, and completes assignments on own initiative. Independently plans use of time and resources to accomplish complex objectives. The employee is expected to complete activities within established schedules and deadlines, analyze program requirements and accomplishments, and recommend adjustments needed to address program needs.
Performs other duties as assigned.
- US Citizenship is required.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.
- This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.
To qualify for this position, ALL applicants MUST meet the following criteria:
(1) have a JD Degree from an accredited law school;
(2) be admitted to practice before the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction or within the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico;
(3) be an active member of that bar; and
(4) To be considered for an H Band: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to the next lower grade/pay band (FG/GS-11/FV-G) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. A candidate must possess two years of attorney experience and one year of specialized experience, for a total of three years of experience.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:
- Experience performing routine legal assignments and applying legal expertise to less complex individual assignments and/or assisting higher-level attorneys on broader more complex assignments; and
- Experience managing legal cases related to employment and labor law and/or experience applying relevant statutes, regulations, and policies pertaining to various cases.
To be considered for the I Band: Applicants must demonstrate at least one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to the next lower grade/pay band (FG/GS-12 or FV-H) that is typically related to the line of work in the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:
- Experience in pre-litigation counseling and addressing laws, statutes, regulations, and policies to provide legal advice on employment law-related matters; or
- Experience representing clients in employment-related litigation matters to include at trials/hearings.
You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.
Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.
*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.
Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.
**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**
This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).
Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.
Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.
Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence at the time of application. For additional information, visit:http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Applicants who are not currently in the 905 occupational series (Attorney) in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 905 occupational series (Attorney), you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it.
Preview job questionnaire
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee.
NOTES:
1) As part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.
2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm.
3) This announcement is limited for the receipt of applications. Once at least 150 applications are received, it will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on that date, or on the initial closing date, whichever occurs first.
4) Some, all, or none of the referred applicants may be interviewed.
5) The base salary range above will be adjusted for locality upon selection:
- Washington, DC: (33.94% - Washington, DC)
- Des Plaines, IL: (30.86% - Chicago, IL)
- Fort Worth, TX: (27.26% - Dallas, TX)
- El Segundo, CA: (36.47% - Los Angeles, CA)
- Oklahoma City, OK: (17.06% - Rest of the U.S.)
- Atlantic City, NJ: (28.99% - Philadelphia, PA)
- New York, Queens, NY: (37.95% - New York, NY)
This is not a bargaining unit position.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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.
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.
Review our benefits
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
ALL applicants MUST submit the following:
(1) resume (limited to two pages);
(2) proof of active membership to the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction or within the District of Columbia. (Please provide bar association number(s) and verification of active status.);
(3) writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages in length); and
(4) copy of unofficial or official transcript from an accredited law school verifying JD degree.
Applicants who are or have been employed by the Federal Government SHOULD also upload a copy of the most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.
Only the documents listed above will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents MUST be uploaded or before the closing date of this announcement.
Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, missing or illegible documents. Please DO NOT email application documents. Documents received via email will NOT receive consideration.
This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 905 series.
College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 905 series with the FAA.
College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying a 905 series.
If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.
If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at time of application can be found at Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).
Forms:
- SF-15 : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
- SF-256 : Self-identification of Disability
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.
Veterans' Preference:
Federal Aviation Administration attorney positions are in the excepted service. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Federal Aviation Administration considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in the attorney hiring process. If you are eligible for veterans' preference in hiring, you are encouraged to include this information in your application along with the supporting documentation, e.g., SF-15, DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other supporting documents.
Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
- Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week.
- Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible. You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.
Amber Newkirk
Phone
1 (202) 267-6268
Fax
1 (202) 267-8330
Email
amber.newkirk@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
HQ Employment Services Branch
800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
AHF-110
Washington, DC 20591
US
Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/31/2026 to 04/09/2026
This job will close when we have received 150 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$64,308 - $119,883 per year
The salary listed above does not include locality. Locality will be determined based on the duty location of the selectee.
Pay scale & grade
FV H - I
Locations
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Show morefewer locations (3)
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Announcement number
AWA-AGC-26-98846AN-97394
