Law Clerk (Not to Exceed 2 years) (2024)

Duties

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) anticipates multiple law clerk vacancies in the Fall of 2024, with interviews occurring in Fall 2023. This vacancy concerns Law Clerk positions in FERC's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ). The application window will close on August 28, 2023.

The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) is an administrative law court located within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC regulates all interstate aspects of the national energy industry. OALJ receives its cases from FERC orders to resolve issues of material fact, and to apply those facts to relevant law, regulation, and FERC-interpreted policy to issue initial decisions. OALJ initial decisions are reviewed and voted-on by the FERC Commissioners before accruing appellate oversight of the D.C. Circuit, or other U.S. Circuit Court with jurisdiction. In formulating decisions, OALJ judges hold courtroom hearings and issue a broad range of intermediate orders on motions, sometimes after oral argument. FERC judges also serve as mediators and assist participants in settling complex disputes with large monetary impacts.

Law Clerks serve for two-year terms, and are assigned to 1-2 judges, depending on office needs. Although each judge’s needs may vary, the law clerk will often work closely with the assigned judge in drafting orders and decisions on complex issues in energy law, among many other matters. While clerks work with judges on foundational energy law questions, the vibrant field of energy regulation also requires clerks to gain familiarity with legal questions of all sorts, such as administrative, environmental, corporate, corporate finance, contract, tort, tax, securities, antitrust, evidence, and much more. Law clerks will often independently conduct legal and factual research, advise the judge verbally and in-person, and prepare draft decisions, orders, or memos for the judge's review. To provide this assistance, the law clerks will sometimes work with energy industry analysts and other in-house experts to gain technical knowledge. Law clerks will also have the opportunity to sit in, and assist with, trials, oral arguments and mediations, and act as the judge's primary communicator with participants.

As a Law Clerk, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Performing Legal Research and Analysis
• Writing and Communicating
• Providing Customer Service
• Performing Case Management

The FERC Law Clerk position requires a firm two-year commitment. Upon commencement of this term, the Law Clerk must have obtained a juris doctorate degree, and within 14-months, must pass the bar of a state, federal district, or bar for which license holders may practice before the federal government.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This is a bargaining unit position.
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• This position has an education requirement; you must submit transcripts.
• You may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
• A background investigation is required.

You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  For more information regarding Federal benefits programs, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  If you do not provide all required documents by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, you will not be considered for this position.

  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

  • VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.

  • COVER LETTER: You are required to submit a cover letter that showcases how your unique combination of skills and experience(s) meet the requirements of the position.

  • TRANSCRIPTS: You are required to submit copies of your college and law school transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.

  • RESUMES: Original PDF resumes are preferred over USA Jobs resume-builder resumes

  • WRITING SAMPLE: Two (2) writing samples will also be separately required if selected for an interview.

    OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR CANDIDATES (You are strongly encouraged to submit these documents as a part of your initial application; however, if contacted for an interview, these documents will be required):

    VETERANS’PREFERENCE (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, FERC considers military service a positive factor when reviewing applications. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are encouraged to submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

• How to Apply

  The FERC Careers site provides detailed instructions on how to apply to FERC vacancies. For more information visit: https://www.ferc.gov/about/careers/job-searchapply.

  Here are a few additional tips:

  • When applying to a FERC vacancy announcement, please remember you must complete and submit your entire application (including your resume, vacancy questionnaire, and any applicable supporting documentation) no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Please note, it may take you longer to apply to some vacancy announcements than others. Starting your application late on the evening the vacancy closes is not recommended because you might not have enough time to ensure your application is successfully submitted and received.
  • When the specialized experience statement in the vacancy announcement requires experience presenting information to a large audience, your resume should include speeches or presentations you've given.
  • Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the “Qualifications and Evaluations” and “How You Will Be Evaluated” sections of this announcement.
  • Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.

  Agency contact information

  Brenda Abu-El-Hawa

  Phone

  202-502-8169

  Email

  Brenda.Abu-El-Hawa@ferc.gov

  Address

  FERC
  888 First St
  Washington, District of Columbia 20426
  United States

  Next steps

  Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to “Track this application.” Your “Applicant status” will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

  Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

  More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents