Honors Attorney

Full Job Description

The DOT Honors Attorney Program is a highly competitive program, primarily available to new or recent JD graduates completing judicial clerkships or judicial fellowships, offering a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the Department's diverse legal practice.

To be eligible for our next program starting in August 2026, you must be a U.S.

citizen graduating from law school in Spring 2026 or completing a judicial clerkship or judicial fellowship in Summer 2026.

To qualify, you must have experience and education equal or equivalent to the following: GRADE 11 (series 904) - You must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent.

A law school GPA of at least 3.0 for schools on a 4.0 scale. GRADE 11 (series 905)- You must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent.

Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

A law school GPA of at least 3.0 for schools on a 4.0 scale.

GRADE 12 (series 905) – You must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND possess at least one (1) year of professional legal work experience OR a second professional law degree (LL.M.) which requires one full year of graduate study.

Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

A law school GPA of at least 3.0 for schools on a 4.0 scale.

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: Technical – Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the job experience to perform one's job: works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

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.

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.

Appointments: Appointments may be made to Attorney-Advisor GS-0905-11 or 12 for applicants who meet the requirements outlined above for qualifications.

OR Appointments may be made to Law Clerk, GS-0904-11 for applicants who do not meet the requirements outlined above for qualifications for appointment as a GS-11, Attorney-Advisor.

Applicants appointed as Law Clerks may convert to an entry-level Attorney-Advisor (GS-0905) position after admittance to a State Bar and demonstration of satisfactory employment during the interim period of 14 months from the original appointment.

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 Major Duties:

As a Honors Attorney, you will: Provide legal advice and policy counsel to DOT leadership on complex areas of law affecting DOT's duties and responsibilities, both in writing and orally.

Conduct legal research and analyses on sensitive matters. Provide training on a variety of laws and policies affecting DOT personnel.

Engage with other Federal agencies, congressional committees, the courts, and other transportation stakeholders. Honors Attorneys work under the close supervision of experienced attorneys.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, self-reliant and skilled individual willing to work in a challenging and fast-paced environment with experienced professionals committed to delivering the world's leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, and sustainable movement of people and goods.

The ideal candidate exercises initiative and must be creative in coping with exceptionally difficult and novel legal matters.