- U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
- This position is subject to a background investigation.
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
- Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
- Member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory - US, PR, DC.
- This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is represented by the National Treasury Employees Union, Local 344.
- If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the two-year trial period.
- Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
The Division of Advertising Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive advertising for a broad range of products and services, including: addiction-related services, foods, dietary supplements, and drugs including those marketed to treat, cure, or prevent serious diseases; emerging technology offerings, broadband providers, social media platforms, online ticket sellers, online travel sites; and products and services marketed to kids and teens. In addition, the Division enforces many of the Commission's rules.
The Division of Enforcement monitors compliance with administrative and federal court orders entered in FTC consumer protection cases. These orders address a wide range of consumer protection issues. The Division conducts investigations of possible order violations; files civil contempt actions in federal court to enforce injunctions; and initiates court actions to obtain civil penalties for order violations. In addition, the Division leads the FTC's enforcement efforts for many of the Commission's rules and guides. The Division also coordinates FTC actions with criminal law enforcement agencies through its Criminal Liaison Unit. Finally, the Division oversees the Bureau of Consumer Protection's bankruptcy and collections programs.
The Division of Financial Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive acts or practices across a variety of critical financial areas, including mobile and financial technology, short-term lending, small business financing, auto sales and financing, debt collection, and debt relief. The Division also enforces statutes and rules to protect consumers in the financial marketplace and engages in outreach and education about developing financial products and services to help prevent consumer harm in these areas.
The Division of Marketing Practices investigates and litigates cases involving consumer fraud in the marketplace. The Division enforces the FTC Act and other federal consumer protection laws by filing FTC actions in federal district court seeking preliminary injunctive relief and permanent orders to stop scams; preventing fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freezing their assets; and getting compensation for scam victims. The Division also issues, revises, and enforces many of the Commission's rules and is on the cutting edge of investigating and addressing the use of emerging technologies to defraud consumers.
The Northeast Regional office ("NER") located in New York City, the Southwest Regional office ("SWR"), located in Dallas, the Western Region Los Angeles Regional office ("WRLA") located in Los Angeles, and the Western Region San Francisco Regional office ("WRSF") located in San Francisco, play an integral role in fulfilling the FTC's consumer protection mission by bringing law enforcement actions to stop unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices across a broad range of products and services in both the traditional and digital economy.
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.
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
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.
Please note this is a public notice flyer, please visit the Bureau of Consumer Protection's website at "Careers in the Bureau of Consumer Protection | Federal Trade Commission". (the link is https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection/careers-bureau-consumer-protection)
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
