Serves as legal counsel within the Office of the Chief Counsel, International Affairs & National Security Law Division (AGC-700), providing advice and counsel regarding a variety of international aviation matters.
Duties
Provides legal advice and counsel to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on all international aviation matters, including matters that arise from the operation of foreign air carriers in the United States (U.S.), the operation of U.S. air carriers overseas, the provision of technical assistance by the FAA to foreign countries, and other international aviation matters arising under federal aviation legislation.
Reviews, drafts, and negotiates agreements for the provision of technical assistance agreements, research and development agreements, and Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements (BASA) and associated implementation procedures between the FAA and foreign governments.
In conjunction with other legal practice areas, provides advice and counsel regarding international affairs matters related to aviation safety, air navigation services, and commercial space. This includes a wide range of aviation safety, air navigation services, and commercial space-related matters, including but not limited to International Aviation Safety Assessments (IASAs) and Bi-lateral Commercial Space Transportation Agreements (BCSTAs).
Provides legal and policy advice and guidance to headquarters and regional offices relating to the foregoing matters, which cover a diversified and complex field of law and international, inter- and intra-governmental relations. The work involves contact with high-level officials within the FAA, the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), other executive and legislative agencies, foreign governments, and industry. Reviews regulatory and legislative proposals to ensure conformity with the authorizing statute and agency policy.
Conducts thorough legal research by appropriately identifying and analyzing relevant legal and factual issues and arguments. Assesses legal strengths and weaknesses of available arguments to provide accurate, complete, and practical legal advice and conclusions. Identifies and learns emerging issues, principles, and practices relevant to the legal practice area.
Provides advice tailored to the client and requirements of the agency. Adjusts communications to meet audience expectations and level of understanding. Keeps client and practice area management informed of issues and activities that may or should be discussed at a higher level. Manages workload to ensure that priorities are achieved and deadlines are met.
Participates in appropriate training and/or learning activities.
Performs full performance-level assignments under limited direction. Serves as an individual contributor, team member, or project leader for routine assignments. Applies considerable experience and advanced professional legal knowledge to assignments. Performs most assignments independently. Receives direction from a manager or more experienced attorney when exceptionally difficult issues are encountered.
Based on professional knowledge, plans and carries out assignments, resolves most conflicts, coordinates with others, and completes assignments on own initiative. Independently plans use of time and resources to accomplish complex objectives. The employee is expected to complete activities within established schedules and deadlines, analyze program requirements and accomplishments, and recommend adjustments needed to address program needs.
Contacts are internal and external to the organization and the agency. Contacts are with other attorneys, agency managers, aviation industry representatives, and officials of courts.
Laws, regulations, orders, and procedures apply directly to many assignments, but the attorney possesses considerable latitude to select an optimum approach or recommend a new approach to a problem or issue. Work is reviewed from an overall standpoint for consistency and effectiveness in meeting requirements or satisfying expectations.
Performs other duties as assigned.