Public Knowledge Hiring

Public Knowledge Job Opening: Policy Advocate

Position Summary: The Policy Advocate will play a key role in the development of Public Knowledge's approach to promoting innovation, consumer rights, and the free flow of information. The Policy Advocate position presents a rare opportunity for a hard-working, creative advocate to work in a cutting-edge issue area and to become a public figure in the field.

Position Status: Full-time

Location: Washington, D.C.

Reports to: Public Knowledge President and Vice President

Application Deadline: January 16th, 2015

Essential Duties:

• Represent the organization before policy making bodies, such as Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Copyright Office
• Prepare and/or assist with preparation of filings for submission in administrative proceedings and before courts
• Write articles and blog posts about current communications and technology policy issues
• Represent Public Knowledge before audiences at conferences, meetings and press events
• Maintain contact with a diverse array of constituencies aligned with the goals of PK
• Work with reporters, bloggers and other media outlets as needed

Qualifications:

• Either a law degree and at least two years of experience in communications, technology or copyright law and/or policy OR a bachelor's degree and more substantial experience in communications, technology, or copyright law and policy
• Experience with economics, antitrust and competition law, or other facets of technology law
• Familiarity with Congress and the administrative rulemaking processes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge and interest in evolving technologies
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to produce high‐quality results on tight deadlines and with little oversight

Compensation: Public Knowledge provides competitive compensation, excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

To Apply: Send a resume including salary history; cover letter stating your interest in Public Knowledge, and two writing samples (max. 5 pages each) to: jobs@publicknowledge.org, with the subject line "Policy Advocate."  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning December 4, 2014; open until filled.

Vacancy Announcement - Attorney Advisor (Technology Programs Law Division) - Closes: Thursday, 12/25/14

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/388510500

Job Title:Attorney Advisor

Department:Department Of Homeland Security

Agency:DHS Headquarters

Job Announcement Number:DHSHQ15-1261359-OGC

SALARY RANGE:	$106,263.00 to $138,136.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Friday, December 5, 2014 to Thursday, December 25, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0905-14
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full Time - Excepted Service Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 15
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy in the following location: Washington DC, DC View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	United States Citizens
SECURITY CLEARANCE:	Secret
SUPERVISORY STATUS:	No

JOB SUMMARY:

Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. 

The primary purpose of this position is to serve the Office of the General Counsel as a legal advisor. The individual selected for this position will be responsible for providing legal advice for government contracts, inter-agency agreements, licensing agreements, and international agreements entered into by DHS's Science and Technology Directorate ("S&T") in the areas of research, development, test, and evaluation.  S&T's contracts are issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR") or DHS's Other Transaction Agreement authority and relate to a broad portfolio of S&T programs, including cyber security and biosecurity.  The individual selected for this position will also be responsible for providing legal advice for intellectual property issues related to S&T's programs, including intellectual property issues in government contracts, international agreements, and licenses.

S&T is the primary research, development, test, and evaluation component of the Department. The work carried out in S&T, in partnership with the private sector, national laboratories, universities, international partners, and other government agencies, helps push the innovation envelope and drives development and use of high technology in support of the Department's operational units. 

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Technology Programs Law Division.

 

This is a permanent appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis.  Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period.  Upon successful completion of the required trial period, this position will be permanent.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Not Required

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

• No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must be able to obtain/maintain a Secret security clearance.

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DUTIES:

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As an Attorney Advisor you will:

• Provide legal advice to contracting officers, program managers, and senior officials concerning the laws applicable to all phases of the research and development contracting process, including solicitation and award, contract administration, and the resolution of disputes.
• Provide legal advice for the full range of issues arising in the fields of research and development contracting, acquisition, and procurement, including intellectual property, technical data, claims, disputes, fiscal law, information security, protection of governmental rights and property, privacy, and other related areas which arise in furtherance of and in connection with the mission of S&T.
• Research, render, and generate authoritative written and oral legal opinions; opinions involve complex and difficult legal problems resulting from the formation and management of government contracts, including related intellectual property law issues.
• Research, render and generate authoritative written and oral legal opinions with respect to S&T's cybersecurity research and development portfolio.
• Provide legal advice for intellectual property and technology transfer issues related to S&T's programs and laboratories, including: advising and assisting S&T and contractor employees on rights in inventions, technical data and computer software; and negotiating and preparing licenses, assignments, cooperative research and development agreements, commercial test agreements, nondisclosure agreements and other instrument for the transfer of S&T technology.
  

 

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QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will evaluate eligible candidates based on the following criteria:

OGC will rate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. OGC will consider relevant skills and experience, education and training, performance, and awards. The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application.

For this position, specialized experience is providing legal advice and support on matters related to government contracts and intellectual property law issues in the Federal Government.  
At least three years of experience as a practicing attorney is desired.  
Applicants with less than five years of practice experience must submit a law school transcript and grade point average or class ranking with the application materials.
Please visit OPM's web site at https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a for additional information on this topic.

Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Homeland Security considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD form 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

Freedom on the Net 2014 (Video)

Freedom on the Net is Freedom House’s annual assessment of internet access, censorship, and internet user rights in 65 countries around the world. This year’s event will highlight the advances and setbacks in internet freedom over the past year, emerging threats to digital media, and the challenges these trends pose to U.S. foreign policy.