Closing Date: 14th September, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The Supervisory Attorney Adviser for Operations Law (the Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Operations) is the principal supervisory and managerial assistant to the Assistant General Counsel for Operations. Working closely with the Assistant General Counsel for Operations, the Supervisory Attorney assists in the supervision and management of all legal matters related to the Department of Transportation's program operations matters.

Duties:
As a Supervisory Attorney Advisor, you will:

Assist the Assistant General Counsel for Operations in monitoring and overseeing the operational law activities of the Department.
Perform legal research and analysis, conduct necessary conferences and consultations, prepare memoranda and opinions, and maintain continuing contact with Departmental officials and others affected to ensure their understanding of the legal and policy positions involved.
Ensure that the Office renders effective legal advice and recommend the most appropriate way to develop or to implement new or amended policies, or new or changed Department policy. The Supervisory Attorney is also responsible for ensuring that these policies are consistent with the intent of the law and are administratively sound, efficient, and economical in operation.
Render expert written or verbal counsel, opinions, or decisions on the legal aspects of matters within the purview of the Office of Operations.
Represent the Department in meetings and conferences with senior officials of other Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, State, tribal and local governments, and other public groups in areas assigned.

The Ideal Candidate: The Department is looking for a motivated, self-reliant, and skilled candidate willing to work in a challenging environment with experienced professionals committed to ensuring safety and fairness in the transportation industry. This individual should have demonstrated experience in leading change and leading people, focusing on customer client services, and team building.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
This is an Excepted Service position.
Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

Conditions of Employment:

Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Trial Period: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period.
Ethics/Conflict of Interest Statement: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263.
Background Investigation: Applicants may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
Schedule Policy/Career: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be serving in a position in Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service. You will obtain competitive status after two years of service in this position [if applicable]. Your employment in this position will be at-will. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals of adverse actions concerning performance, discipline, and other matters arising under chapters 23, 43, and 75 of title 5, United States Code will not be available to an individual serving in this position. Prohibitions on prohibited personnel practices will be enforced by the DOT Office of General Counsel and not the Office of Special Counsel

Qualifications:
To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:
Grade 15 - A law degree or have completed a structured, multi-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge equivalent, bar membership in good standing, and at least 4 years of professional attorney experience.

Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or have completed a structured, multi-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge equivalent, AND at least FOUR (4) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature.
Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
Administrative Law - Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
Oral Communication (*) - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:
Mandatory Education Requirements:
In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Additional Information:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 2-year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title5/pdf/USCODE-2022-title5-partIII-subpartH-chap92-sec9202.pdf) and 5 C.F.R 920.201 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-920/subpart-B/section-920.201) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Departme