Overview:
Executive Office of the President | Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Office of Human Capital and Services (OHCS). Attorney-Advisor Vacancy Announcement in the Office of General Counsel. Position Title (Organizational): Attorney-Advisor. Pay Scale & Grade: GS-0905-15. Office: Office of General Counsel. Position Location: Washington, D.C. Number of Positions: Multiple positions. Work Schedule: Full-Time. Opening Date: March 6, 2026.Closing Date: Open Continuous. Application cut off dates: Friday, March 13, 2026; Friday, March 27, 2026; Friday, April 10, 2026; Friday, April 24, 2026.Who May Apply: All U.S. Citizens. Telework Eligible: Yes, as determined by the agency policy. Travel Required: Yes, occasional travel may be expected for this position. Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No. Appointment Type: Permanent (Excepted Service). Drug Test: Yes. Financial Disclosure: Yes. Security Clearance: Top Secret. Major DutiesServes as an attorney in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Office of General Counsel. Provides expert legal analysis and advice on a variety of trade issues. As an Attorney-Advisor, GS-905-15, typical work assignment may include the following: Pursue trade enforcement actions, including trade investigations under U.S. law, and representation in international trade disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and under bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). Advise on trade investigations and dispute settlement, including substantive legal issues, procedural matters, and litigation tactics. Develop legal arguments and strategies. Represent and negotiate on behalf of the United States in trade investigations and dispute settlement proceedings and in bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral fora on matters relating to litigation and settlement of trade disputes. Conduct and advise on bilateral and multilateral negotiations concerning trade issues related to a variety of goods and services, committing the United States to the terms of the resulting agreements. Work closely with an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) or equivalent in formulating U.S. trade policies. Conduct research of laws, legal opinions, policies, or regulations on specific trade areas or broad trade issues. Advise and recommend policy options to the appropriate AUSTR or other senior level official. Establish policy options during trade negotiations to achieve satisfactory results. Develop and apply negotiating strategies and tactics. Prepare reports and other documents in anticipation of potential problems and issues. Provide expert advice and guidance to USTR officials on legal issues with respect to assigned trade issues. Develop and coordinate USTR’s legal position on all issues related to area of responsibility. Review current and pending legislation to assigned areas and potential effect and impact on U.S. trade and the economy.
Conditions of Employment:
Must be a U.S. citizen or National.
Selective Service registration if a male born after December 31, 1959.Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
Direct Deposit is required.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Suitability for Federal employment.
May be required to successfully complete a two-year probationary period.
Must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. State, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications:
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify for the GS-15 Grade Level: Possess four years professional legal experience; one year must be equivalent at the GS-14 grade level that demonstrates the following: Advising and counseling mid to senior level leaders on complex, difficult legal questions requiring extensive research, analysis, and evaluation of information in controversial areas. Preparing legal documents for filing, such as drafting complaints, orders to show cause, indictments, preliminary motions, supporting affidavits, and briefs. Drafting or pleading motions for case litigation, conducting investigations to obtain facts, study of legal precedents and preparation and recommendation. Experience working with trade related issues, participating in negotiations, and providing legal advice for negotiations. Required Documents For qualification determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Your resume should be no more than 2 pages. A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable). Once selected and prior to appointment, you must provide an official transcript. (Applicant must be a Graduate with a J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association).A certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. When submitting your resume, you must provide a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing that applicant is duly licensed to practice law as an attorney and was so licensed for at least one year prior under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the U.S. Constitution. Your most recent compensation statement or SF-50 reflecting salary (If applicable).Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If applying for a higher grade, submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Performance awards, details, and realignments are not acceptable SF-50s. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference. The member 4 copy of your DD214 is preferable. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit an SF-15. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability will be listed in the highest quality category within each category. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement with: position title; type of appointment; agency beginning and ending dates of appointment. Application Submission
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date. Eligible applicants will be referred for interviews to the hiring manager/selecting official by the Office of Human Capital.
