Closing Date: 22nd September, 2025
Description:
Summary:The position is located in the Federal Maritime Commission, Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance. The incumbent of this position serves as an Investigative Counsel relating to investigations and related enforcement actions pursuant to the Shipping Act of 1984 as amended, 46 U.S.C. 40101, et seq. and the implementing regulations.
Duties:
The duties of an Investigative Counsel include a broad legal practice including executing and advising on the legal implications of Commission rulemakings, and providing legal advice on matters before the Commission, administrative agencies, and the courts.
As an Investigative Counsel you will:
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
In addition to the above minimum requirements, you must meet the following:
GS-12: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship.
GS-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship.
GS-14: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (4) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.
GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (5) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.
Specialized experience is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include conducting complex and sophisticated investigations as they relate to the regulatory, enforcement, and administrative responsibilities of the FMC. Investigations involve major worldwide coverage with international implications upon the U.S. foreign ocean borne trades, both import and export.
The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. It is your responsibility to ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year (MM/YYYY), and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
Qualifications for the GS-12 and above: In addition to meeting the education requirements, applicants applying for the one or more of these grade level(s) must possess professional law experience and specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, outlined under the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.
Education:
Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.
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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. (http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html)
Minimum educational requirements include a professional law degree (LLB or J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school. NOTE: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. An ABA-approved law school may allow students to receive credit for law study or activities at a foreign institution and grant credit for the J.D. degree if those studies or activities are approved in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Criteria adopted by the ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
As an Investigative Counsel you will:
- Provide expertise in investigation and potential litigation conducted under the Shipping Act.
- Investigate and litigate legal and factual allegations made in Shipping Act violations investigations, by participating in discovery, including depositions and pre-trial proceedings involving expert witnesses; and participate in motions practice and briefing before administrative law judges and the Federal Maritime Commission.
- Conduct investigations of potential violations of the Shipping Act and implementing regulations, conduct fact-finding and non-adjudicatory investigations, including developing investigative plans, preparing for and conducting interviews of witnesses and subjects, and reviewing emails and other documentary evidence.
- Prepare legal documents and other materials in connection with ongoing investigations, including subpoenas and document requests, analytical memoranda, and reports of interview.
- Conduct legal research and advises Bureau leadership on substantive legal matters encountered during investigations, including determining legal precedent applicable to investigations, applying criminal, civil, and administrative laws to specific fact patterns, and assessing sufficiency of evidence following investigative activities.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Trial Period: A 2-year trial period may be required.
- Background Suitability Investigation: Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability or security clearance. Please note: If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.
- Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/
- Required to participate in the Direct Deposit program.
- May be required to obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
- May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
Qualifications:
In addition to the above minimum requirements, you must meet the following:
GS-12: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship.
GS-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship.
GS-14: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (4) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.
GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (5) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.
Specialized experience is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include conducting complex and sophisticated investigations as they relate to the regulatory, enforcement, and administrative responsibilities of the FMC. Investigations involve major worldwide coverage with international implications upon the U.S. foreign ocean borne trades, both import and export.
The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. It is your responsibility to ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year (MM/YYYY), and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
Qualifications for the GS-12 and above: In addition to meeting the education requirements, applicants applying for the one or more of these grade level(s) must possess professional law experience and specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, outlined under the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.
Education:
Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.
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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. (http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html)
Minimum educational requirements include a professional law degree (LLB or J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school. NOTE: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. An ABA-approved law school may allow students to receive credit for law study or activities at a foreign institution and grant credit for the J.D. degree if those studies or activities are approved in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Criteria adopted by the ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
Current active membership in a bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Active bar association and a certificate that the member is in good standing will be verified prior to appointment and employees must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with the FMC.
