GENERAL ATTORNEY (TR) (Antitrust Law Enforcement)

Summary

The Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition enforces the nation's antitrust laws to protect the American public from anticompetitive mergers and conduct. For more information, visit Bureau of Competition | Federal Trade Commission.

Duties

If you are selected for this position, you will perform the following tasks: Each division investigates potentially anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions in a wide range of industries, including: Mergers II: semiconductors and other high-tech hardware; industrial chemicals, mining, commercial software, music, and video games. Mergers IV: health care providers, office supply distribution, food distribution, casino services, supermarkets, specialty retail stores, and consumer goods. Anticompetitive Practices I: industries other than health care and pharmaceuticals. This division's work involves not only stopping illegal conduct but also shaping the law and includes issues related to monopolization, exclusion of small and innovative rivals, abuse of intellectual property rights, and covenants not to compete. Health Care: price-fixing, group boycotts, exclusive dealing, monopolization, and mergers-involving physicians and other health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and other institutional providers. Successful incumbents across all divisions will: - Conduct all phases of antitrust merger or conduct investigations, including making initial determinations as to whether cases should be investigated further, identifying legal theories and plans for preliminary investigations, obtaining evidence from a variety of sources, and negotiating settlements. - Confer with government agencies, public authorities, attorneys, businesspersons, and other members of the public to obtain information relevant to Commission investigations and to provide them with information on matters of law, Commission procedures, and policy. - Prepare antitrust cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence, conferring with witnesses, participating in pretrial conferences, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and drafting legal documents needed during the various stages of litigation. - Prepare internal documents for review by the Commission and perform special assignments as directed.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency. Additional Requirements GS-12 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-12 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level includes examples such as working on non-complex litigation matters and performing basic legal research, drafting, and legal analysis. GS-13 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-13 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level includes work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analyses, and effective oral communications. GS-14 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level For the GS-14 level: Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level includes examples such as independently plan, organize and conduct analysis of the matters on which you are working, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by the supervisor. Written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. At this level, attorneys are journeymen attorneys whose work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. Such attorneys contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, they should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. Attorneys at this level take charge of basic matters, moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters. GS-15 Positions: For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. For the GS-15 level: Qualifying experience at the GS-15 level includes examples such as being an outstanding writer and highly effective oral advocate. You must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. You must function independently and your work should not require close supervision or substantive review. Your supervisor(s) must have complete confidence in your judgment. At this level, you should be recognized for your competence. These attorneys should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, all stages in the appeal of such a case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists. Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the private sector or federal government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience/ requirements. 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. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Education

THIS POSITION HAS AN EDUCATION REQUIRMENT: You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on the overall strength of your credentials as demonstrated by your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and experience. The most qualified candidates will be selected for interviews, which will also be considered in making the final decision. Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Federal Trade Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. If you are eligible for veterans' preference, you are encouraged to include that information in your cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214 or other substantiating documents) to your submission.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. 2. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Writing Sample, optional Graduate Transcript(s), if the position has an education requirement - REQUIRED Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF- 15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.) Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

How to Apply

THIS IS NOT A VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS FTC JOB OPPORTUNITY MUST VISIT THE FTC'S BUREAU OF COMPETITION LEGAL CAREERS WEBSITE HERE: Attorney Hiring in the Bureau of Competition | Federal Trade Commission FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY. APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED ON THE FTC'S BUREAU OF COMPETITION LEGAL CAREERSWEBSITE. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED VIA THIS POSTING.

What to Expect Next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Capital Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional Information

Unofficial transcripts will be accepted as part of your application package, however, if selected official transcripts must be submitted prior to establishing a start date. You must maintain student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the internship. If you cannot, you are ineligible for this program. Please note this is a public notice flyer, please visit the Bureau of Competition's website at BC Career site. If there are no positions listed, then FTC is not actively recruiting. Please check the website periodically, as the commission regularly recruit students and recent graduates. THIS IS NOT A VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT. INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO APPLY TO FTC PATHWAYS JOB OPPORTUNITIES MUST VISIT THE FTC JOBS WEBSITE. APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FTC JOBS WEBSITE, AND APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED VIA THIS POSTING.

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency. Additional Requirements GS-12 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-12 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level includes examples such as working on non-complex litigation matters and performing basic legal research, drafting, and legal analysis. GS-13 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-13 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level includes work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analyses, and effective oral communications. GS-14 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level For the GS-14 level: Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level includes examples such as independently plan, organize and conduct analysis of the matters on which you are working, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by the supervisor. Written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. At this level, attorneys are journeymen attorneys whose work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. Such attorneys contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, they should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. Attorneys at this level take charge of basic matters, moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters. GS-15 Positions: For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. For the GS-15 level: Qualifying experience at the GS-15 level includes examples such as being an outstanding writer and highly effective oral advocate. You must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. You must function independently and your work should not require close supervision or substantive review. Your supervisor(s) must have complete confidence in your judgment. At this level, you should be recognized for your competence. These attorneys should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, all stages in the appeal of such a case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists. Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the private sector or federal government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience/ requirements. 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. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.