Closing Date: 13th October, 2026
Description:
Summary:The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies as a "Best Place to Work" in the Federal government! This Director, Legal Division position is located in the Office of Administrative Litigation. For more information visit: Office of Administrative Litigation (OAL) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (https://www.ferc.gov/office-administrative-litigation-oal)
Duties:
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is looking for an experienced senior level executive to serve as the Director, Legal Division.
Reporting directly to the Office Director, OAL, leads a division of legal branch chiefs, experienced attorneys, and legal support staff in resolving cases set for hearing and settlement proceedings concerning natural gas, oil, electric, and hydroelectric matters. The Division Director is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and executing the work of the Division Director with emphasis on the application of precedent, legal interpretation, trial preparation and settlement strategy. The Division Director oversees the provision of legal advice to the office in its day-to-day operations, and on matters of administrative law, trial practice and substantive energy law.
The Division Director provides vision and leadership in resolving contested proceedings through settlements and hearings before Administrative Law Judges (ALJs).
As a Director, Legal Division, some of your typical work assignments include:
- In collaboration with the Office Director, directs and implements the Office mission and vision statements, goals, strategic plan and performance success measures; and assists with developing the Commission strategic plan.
- In conjunction with Office Director, OAL, develops the strategy and process for litigating matters that are not resolved by consistent with the Commission's rules and procedures, including the development of legal advocacy, trial readiness, and strategic negotiation.
- In conjunction with the Director, OAL, oversees the preparation and filing of briefs, petitions, motions, affidavits, certifications, answers, notices and other pleadings, papers and legal memoranda on a variety of subjects referred to Administrative Law Judges by the Commission.
- Oversees staff collaboration among professional disciplines, applying legal knowledge at the Commission to develop staff positions for the resolution of proceedings, and to develop an adequate record for Commission review of litigated or settled cases.
- Provides support and assistance to the Office Director to ensure that all programmatic responsibilities of OAL are accomplished in an efficient and effective manner;
- As directed, the Director, Legal Division, will represent the Office Director and the FERC in matters involving administrative litigation and settlement.
- Performs leadership functions in a manner that exemplifies and promotes good leadership behaviors.
- Manage the business management functions carried out for the Office. Lead managers and other employees to maximize potential and enhance productivity in meeting the Commission's vision, mission, and goals.
- Provides leadership in accomplishing human resource responsibilities and facilitates efficient management of resources within the Office.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Subject to a 1-year SES/supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
- This position has an education requirement; you must submit transcripts.
- Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university.
- Current, active bar membership required.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) 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 (https://www.sss.gov/verify/) or are exempt from having to do so.
- This is not a bargaining unit position.
- File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
- A background investigation is required. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
- You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
- If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
- Maximum of 2-page resume.
- 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.
You must meet the following basic requirements, by the closing date of this announcement: (1) hold a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited college or university and (2) be a current, active bar member in good standing. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration. 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 Technical Qualifications (TQs).
Technical Qualifications (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ 1: Demonstrated experience directing and overseeing complex administrative litigation involving matters within FERCs jurisdiction, including litigation strategy and proceedings before Administrative Law Judges.
TQ 2: Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory issues and prepare, review, and evaluate pleadings, briefs, motions, legal memoranda, and other legal documents associated with contested proceedings.
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.
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