Attorney Advisor

U.S. Department of Transportation

Washington, DC

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$119,630–$187,093 Per Year
SKILLS
Accredited Business Accountants (ABA), Administrative Policies, Administrative Procedures, Administrative Skills, Attorney, Bar Membership, Code of Federal Regulations, Continuous Improvement, Contract Management, Documentation, Editing, Environmental Issues, Establish Priorities, Federal Assistance, Federal Compliance Regulations, Federal Government, Federal Grants, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Disclosure, Financial Regulations, Fitness, Government, Government Contracts, Government Organizations, Government Regulations, Grant Administration/Management, Grant Writing, HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure), Legal, Legal Documents, Legal Research, Legal Support Skills, Litigation, Loans, Local Government, Maintain Compliance, Negotiation Skills, Operational Improvement, Peace Corps, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Public Safety, Publications, Regulations, Regulatory Requirements, Reimbursement, State Government, State Laws and Regulations, Support Documentation, Team Player, Time Management, Training/Teaching, United States Citizen, United States Department of Transportation (DOT), Volunteer Experience, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Washington, DC
POSTED
3 days ago

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Attorney Advisor

Department of Transportation

Federal Transit Administration

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  • Summary
  • This job is open to
  • Duties
  • Requirements
  • How you will be evaluated
  • Required documents
  • How to apply

Summary

This position is a staff attorney in FTAs Office of Chief Counsel, Litigation and Regional Operations Division, and functions, specifically, as the Regional Counsel in Region 10 in Seattle, WA. You will provide a wide range of legal services involving all functional areas assigned to the Office of Chief Counsel, including research and counseling on all legal requirements pertaining to the regional offices administration of FTAs grant and loan programs, and the agencys related authorities.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

This position is a staff attorney in FTAs Office of Chief Counsel, Litigation and Regional Operations Division, and functions, specifically, as the Regional Counsel in Region 10 in Seattle, WA. You will provide a wide range of legal services involving all functional areas assigned to the Office of Chief Counsel, including research and counseling on all legal requirements pertaining to the regional offices administration of FTAs grant and loan programs, and the agencys related authorities.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted today · Apply by 08/06/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 6, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Seattle, WA

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-This position may be eligible for situational telework. Telework approval will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency's telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $119,630 - $187,093 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 13 - 14

Promotion potential 15

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time - Full Time Travel Required Occasional travel - Some travel maybe required.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

  • 0905 Attorney

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk High Risk (HR)

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

  • Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required Yes - The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number FTA.RO-2026-0013 Control number 877781600

This job is open to

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is in the Excepted Service. For information on the Excepted Service, please visit: Excepted Service Appointing Authorities@ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/excepted-service/

Duties

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As an Attorney Advisor, you will:

  • Serve as counsel to the agency and as a member of the Chief Counsels staff. Serve as a legal resource, respond to questions posed by FTA Regional staff and others within and outside the Federal Government and prepare necessary documentation to support the agencys position on matters for which the incumbent has primary responsibility. Advise on questions of law or administrative policy involved in the operation of FTA and in its contacts with industry, private and professional associations, State and local governments, and the public.
  • Provide litigation support in cases involving FTA, as needed, which may include compiling the administrative record; performing legal research; reviewing/editing litigation papers; and working with attorneys from FTA, DOT, the Justice Department, and other Federal agencies on case strategy and legal positions.
  • Evaluate pending grant applications for legal sufficiency, ascertaining whether the Regional Administrator has an adequate basis upon which to make the findings and determinations that are a prerequisite to grant approval. Provide timely review of draft environmental documents and historic preservation documents to ensure supporting documentation is in compliance with federal requirements and adequate for an administrative record. Following the execution of grant agreements by FTAs grant recipients, the candidate assists in ensuring proper execution of the funded projects.
  • Provide legal advice relating to public safety and security of transit agencies in FTA Region 10, including compliance oversight and enforcement.
  • Draft legal opinions and perform legal services concerning the negotiation, drafting, execution, and administration of Federal grants, and cooperative agreements regarding various agency programs.

The ideal candidate is the ideal candidate is one with experience in general law, including the following areas: government contracts, administrative procedure, grants agreements, real property, Federal ethics, environmental and/or civil rights law.

Requirements

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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.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contract-issued travel cared will be issued and must be retained for official business only.

Qualifications

To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

GRADE 13 - A law degree, bar membership in good standing, AND at least three (3) years of professional legal work experience, OR A second law degree (LL.M) AND two (2) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature.

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:

Administrative Law - Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.

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.

GRADE 14 - A law degree, bar membership in good standing and at least FIVE years of professional attorney experience.

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:

Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines - Knowledge of principles, laws, regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines (for example, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB circulars) of transportation and fiscal law, including their order of precedence.

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.

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 applicants criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 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 Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Expand Hide additional information

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.

Benefits

Help

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level

For this announcement, all applicants will be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational and specialized experience requirements.

Applicants will not be rated or ranked.

All applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official.

The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package. If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

Help

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.

Required documents

Required Documents

Help

The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position. Please review each of the following sections to determine which documents you need to provide with your application.

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.

Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience.

For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/

PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP: 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.

TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED as there is a stated education requirement for the series. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Educations website - click here.

WRITING SAMPLE: If selected for an interview, a writing sample may be requested.

VETERANS: Department of Transportation attorney positions are in the excepted service, not the competitive civil service. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Transportation considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in the attorney hiring process. If you are eligible for veterans' preference in hiring, you are encouraged to include that information in your application along with supporting documentation, e.g., SF15, DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other supporting documentation.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

  • To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
  • Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
  • You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/

If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at Transjobs@dot.gov.

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office

Phone 000-000-0000 Fax 000-000-0000 Email TRANSJOBS@dot.gov Address DOT, FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

Submit Application and Documents Online

1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50

Washington, District of Columbia 20590

United States

Next steps

You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com (Select "My USAJobs" and click "Applications". Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. Appropriate veterans preference will be applied. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.

Fair and transparent

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

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position. Please review each of the following sections to determine which documents you need to provide with your application.

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.

Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience.

For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/

PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP: 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.

TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED as there is a stated education requirement for the series. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Educations website - click here.

WRITING SAMPLE: If selected for an interview, a writing sample may be requested.

VETERANS: Department of Transportation attorney positions are in the excepted service, not the competitive civil service. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Transportation considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in the attorney hiring process. If you are eligible for veterans' preference in hiring, you are encouraged to include that information in your application along with supporting documentation, e.g., SF15, DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other supporting documentation.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

  • To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
  • Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
  • You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/

If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at Transjobs@dot.gov.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office

Phone 000-000-0000 Fax 000-000-0000 Email TRANSJOBS@dot.gov Address DOT, FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

Submit Application and Documents Online

1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50

Washington, District of Columbia 20590

United States

Next steps

You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com (Select "My USAJobs" and click "Applications". Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. Appropriate veterans preference will be applied. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

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

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Federal Transit Administration

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is focused on what matters most: prioritizing the safety of our transportation systems, modernizing our aging infrastructure, unleashing American innovation, and maximizing efficiency by removing bureaucratic red tape. We are looking for mission-driven professionals ready to deliver real results with discipline, urgency, and accountability to support American families, workers, and businesses.

As we usher in a Golden Age of Transportation, DOT values a results-oriented, high-performing workforce dedicated to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and a safe, collaborative environment. If you want to build big, beautiful infrastructure, scale transformative technologies, and achieve results that will serve our nation for generations to come, please consider joining the DOT family.

Did You Know? The Department of Transportation is consistently ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government!

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office

Phone 000-000-0000 Fax 000-000-0000 Email TRANSJOBS@dot.gov Address DOT, FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

Submit Application and Documents Online

1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50

Washington, District of Columbia 20590

United States

Summary

This position is a staff attorney in FTAs Office of Chief Counsel, Litigation and Regional Operations Division, and functions, specifically, as the Regional Counsel in Region 10 in Seattle, WA. You will provide a wide range of legal services involving all functional areas assigned to the Office of Chief Counsel, including research and counseling on all legal requirements pertaining to the regional offices administration of FTAs grant and loan programs, and the agencys related authorities.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted today · Apply by 08/06/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 6, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Seattle, WA

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-This position may be eligible for situational telework. Telework approval will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency's telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $119,630 - $187,093 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 13 - 14

Promotion potential 15

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time - Full Time Travel Required Occasional travel - Some travel maybe required.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

  • 0905 Attorney

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk High Risk (HR)

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

  • Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required Yes - The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number FTA.RO-2026-0013 Control number 877781600

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