Closing Date: 27th July, 2026
Description:
Summary:The FMC is the federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and the U.S. consumer. The FMC is dedicated to ensuring a competitive and dependable international ocean transportation system that supports the U.S. economy and safeguards the public from unfair or deceptive practices.
Join the FMC and be part of a mission-driven organization during an important and exciting time in the maritime industry.
Duties:
This position serves as the Deputy General Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides legal services to the Commission under the Shipping Act and related statutes, including the agency's competition oversight role (akin to antitrust merger review), and represents the agency in federal district and circuit courts.
In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Deputy General Counsel include:
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
Qualifications:
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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).
Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualification.
Mtq 1: Demonstrated executive leadership in directing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the operations of a General Counsel's office or a similar legal office within an organization, a federal or state agency, or a law firm.
Mtq 2: Demonstrated experience in or with a regulatory or civil law enforcement program, including providing strategic direction and operational execution.
Mtq 3: Demonstrated executive-level experience in analyzing and addressing issues related to administrative law.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five ECQs:
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Education:
Applicants must have a professional law degree (LLB or JD) from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). 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
In this capacity, the responsibilities of the Deputy General Counsel include:
- Provide legal and policy advice to the Chairman, Commissioners, and other high-level agency employees; managing the production of legal, economic and policy analysis in docketed proceedings before the agency; managing litigation before the federal courts; and acting as the General Counsel in the absence of the General Counsel.
- Represents the Commission in meetings and negotiations with representatives of the shipping industry, other federal government agencies, representatives of foreign governments, members of Congress, and congressional committees.
- Provides executive direction of multidisciplinary teams within the Office of the General Counsel, including attorneys, economists, and analysts, in carrying out the agency's legal, regulatory, economic, and international affairs responsibilities.
- Directs economic analysis related to antitrust-exempt agreements, agreement monitoring and evaluation, and the assessment of controlled carrier rates and charges, including evaluating competitive impacts and determining whether legal or regulatory action is warranted.
- Oversees analysis of international maritime affairs, foreign shipping practices, diplomatic issues, and interagency coordination with federal partners, including the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, ensuring effective representation of the agency's interests and compliance with statutory and regulatory mandates.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
- In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
- File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
- May be required to obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
- Must have an Active BAR Membership in Good Standing. If selected, must maintain active bar membership in good standing while employed as an attorney with FMC
- Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights (https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/compact-council/guiding-principles-noncriminal-justice-applicants-privacy-rights), for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
- FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/privacy-act-statement-9-9-13.pdf/view#:~:text=This%20privacy%20act%20statement%20provides,the%20FD%2D258%20fingerprint%20card.) (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
- SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov) (https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/Regulations/SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"
Qualifications:
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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).
Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the following technical qualification.
Mtq 1: Demonstrated executive leadership in directing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the operations of a General Counsel's office or a similar legal office within an organization, a federal or state agency, or a law firm.
Mtq 2: Demonstrated experience in or with a regulatory or civil law enforcement program, including providing strategic direction and operational execution.
Mtq 3: Demonstrated executive-level experience in analyzing and addressing issues related to administrative law.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five 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 the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
- 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.
Education:
Applicants must have a professional law degree (LLB or JD) from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). 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