The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and litigates civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws. For more information visit, https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc. Division of Advertising Practices 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. Division of Enforcement 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. Division of Financial Practices 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. Division of Marketing Practices 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. Regional Offices 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. 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. 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. 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. In addition, at 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. In addition, at 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 independent 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.
