Federal Trade Commission—A great place to work!

The FTC has been named one of the best places to work in the federal government by the Partnership for Public Service. View our 2007 rankings.

Job Opportunities

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a dynamic agency offering challenging careers in a variety of fields. The FTC is an independent Federal agency that enforces antitrust and consumer protection laws and promotes competitive markets, free of deception and undue restrictions. There are over 1,000 staff members at the FTC, including over 500 attorneys and 70 economists promoting the interests of all American consumers by supporting and protecting the free market.

Although the FTC hires primarily attorneys and economists to accomplish its consumer protection and competition missions, there are also opportunities for applicants seeking positions in other professional, administrative and support positions. U.S. Citizenship is generally required. We offer an excellent benefits package. The FTC's Vision, Mission and Goals statement describes the activities and business of the Federal Trade Commission.

Entry Level Attorney Positions

If you're a law student looking for a fast-paced and challenging legal career, the FTC is the place for you. The FTC recruits annually for entry level attorney positions. Honors attorneys are hired at the GS-11 and GS-12 levels and require completion of the J.D. Degree. Recent graduates are placed in fourteen month positions as law clerks pending admission to a bar. Attorneys must be licensed and authorized to practice under the laws of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Employment inquires may be sent to Human Resources Management Office, Room H-723, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. You may also reach us via the internet at HRMOEmployment@ftc.gov.

Assignments

The Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) assigns entry-level attorneys to seven divisions, each with its own areas of expertise: Advertising Practices; Consumer and Business Education; Enforcement; Financial Practices; Marketing Practices; Planning and Information; and Privacy and Identity Protection.

The Bureau of Competition (BC) assigns entry-level attorneys to one of four practice areas: Mergers & Acquisitions; Anticompetitive Practices; Healthcare Services and Products; and Compliance. To learn more about BC, visit ftc.gov/bc/mission.

The Office of General Counsel (GC) has a more limited number of entry level positions. To learn more, visit ftc.gov/ftc/legal.

You also may write to HRMOEmployment@ftc.gov or call 202-326-2021.

Economist Positions

The FTC recruits for economists in January of each year. In response to a specific FTC vacancy announcement, applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcript indicating a degree in economics, and three letters of recommendation. Positions may be filled at the GS-12 through GS-15 levels. Applicants may qualify based on education and/or experience. A Ph.D. or comparable experience is required at the GS-12 level. Offers for employment for the following fall are made by March of each year. To learn more, visit http://www.ftc.gov/be/recruit/index.shtm.

Economic Research Analyst and Data Analyst

The research and data analyst positions offer a unique environment to gain hands-on experience, build skills, and contribute to economic research and policy. After gaining experience at the FTC, many research analysts return to school to pursue graduate degrees in economics or other disciplines, or move to challenging position in industry and government. The Bureau of Economics of the Federal Trade Commission primarily has vacancies for economic research analysts at various salary ranges on an intermittent basis. Applicants should apply directly to a vacancy announcement posted at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov

For more information about this program, click here.

Paralegal Positions

The FTC accepts applications for Paralegal Specialist at grades GS-5 and GS-7 primarily from January through March. Appointments are competitive. Applicants should apply directly to a vacancy announcement posted at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a9ftci.htm (see "How to Find Out About Vacancies")

Honors Paralegal Program

The FTC accepts applications to its Honors Paralegal Program at grade GS-7 primarily in the winter and spring of each year. Appointments are competitive. Applicants should apply directly to a vacancy announcement posted at USAJOBS. For more information, please visit our FTC Honors Paralegal Program page.

Summer Legal Interns

The FTC provides summer employment opportunities (for up to 10 weeks) for law students who have completed one or more years of law school OR who are law school graduates going on to judicial clerkships. The Commission recruits dedicated law students with an exceptional level of commitment to the public interest to enforcing antitrust and consumer protection laws as mandated by Congress. A background in economics or business is preferred, but not required. Our goal is to offer our summer law clerks intellectually stimulating projects, similar in complexity to those given to junior attorneys, which afford them an opportunity to demonstrate writing, analytical and advocacy skills. The Bureau of Competition and Bureau of Consumer Protection hire summer legal interns.

Student Clerical Positions

Applications are accepted from students year round for a variety of clerical support positions. Students must be at least sixteen years of age to work. Positions are filled at the GS-1 through GS-5 levels, on an as needed basis. Applicants should submit a resume which includes the number of semester and/or credit hours completed. Most positions require typing proficiency - (applicants must certify or provide proof that they can type 40 words per minute with no more than three errors). Computer literacy is also desirable.

Volunteers/Unpaid Internships

The FTC has volunteer internships available primarily for students of law or economics. An agreement with the student's school is required.

How to Apply

You should follow the directions in the announcement carefully. Additional information may be required as listed on specific vacancy announcements. Clearly identify the specific vacancy announcement number for which you are applying. The Demographic Information form can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/oed/hrmo/demographicform.pdf.

Submit applications to the following address:

Federal Trade Commission
Human Resources Management Office
Room, 723
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

How to find Out About Current Job Openings at the FTC

Current FTC Vacancy Announcements are posted at the FTC Job Search website on USAJOBS homepage at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a9ftci.htm. If you are NOT a current federal employee, in order to access all available jobs at FTC from the website, you must:

1. Select "All" from the "Location Search" Category and hit the "Search for Jobs" button.

2. If you are a status employee, follow the above directions and scroll down to "Applicant Eligibility" and click "Yes".

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the "Search for Jobs" button.

How To Apply for Current Job Openings: