Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens/Nationals

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WHAT IS THE AP-APPEALS DIVISION?

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas:
Office of Appeals Specialized Examination Programs and Referral Technical Guidance

-Conducts Appeals conferences for the settlement of the largest and most complex tax cases in which taxpayers have appealed determinations made by the Service or have filed petitions with the U.S. Tax Court for redetermination of tax liability. Cases typically concern large, complex businesses, including those with extensive subsidiaries, diversified activities, multiple partners and national or international scope of operations.

-Conducts extensive research and analysis to determine and apply the law to the complex facts and policy issues presented. Serves as an expert in determining a final settlement and resolving appealed cases where there is little or no previous interpretation of statutory provisions, laws and regulations are highly subjective, precedents are nonexistent, obscure or conflicting, and there are significant amounts of money at issue, or precedent setting issues. Where issues are unclear or where a clear precedent is lacking, determines the appropriate resolution based upon relevant factors including reasonableness, adjudication trends and settlement practices.

-Analyzes case files, supporting documents and other information that relate to tax liability. Reviews cases for adequate technical development of issues. Obtains and evaluates expert testimony or information in highly technical areas such as engineering, finance, science, art, etc. to resolve complex valuation issues. Remedies defects or inadequacies in cases or on issues either independently or collaboratively with other team members, or by referral to the appropriate Service component.

-Deals professionally and effectively with taxpayers, representatives and co-workers. Conducts Appeals conferences and negotiations in a dignified and orderly manner, with displayed impartiality. Negotiates settlements of cases on the basis of facts developed and applicable law and regulations, considering the hazards of litigation.

-As appropriate, provides effective neutral assistance as a mediator to resolve tax disputes between the IRS and the taxpayer. Exercises a high degree of judgment in conducting original and creative legal research to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests in determining a resolution. Conducts separate or joint conferences to assist the parties of the tax dispute to arrive at a resolution in an effort to avoid litigation and minimize costs.

Conditions of employment

• Telework Eligible Positions: Telework eligible positions do not guarantee telework. Employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements (e.g., reporting at least twice a pay period to your assigned Post of Duty (POD)) and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. Employees must also be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
• Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/(https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience includes Experience applying tax law and/or accounting principles, theory and practices to analyze and interpret accounting records or legal issues to resolve tax issues or determine tax liabilities. Experience preparing, examining, interpreting and analyzing financial statements of multiple entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts) to resolve tax disputes; Experience with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) process from financial to tax administration. Experience conducting legal research and interpreting the law in situations where there are uncertainties or conflicts in statutes, regulations, case law, precedence or other guidance to determine and apply the appropriate intent of the law in tax situations; Experience applying litigation procedures and making judgments involving matters of law particularly as they relate to resolving tax disputes. Experience providing tax law advice or guidance to clients or employer; Experience negotiating the resolution of tax disputes between government and corporate or individual taxpayers. Experience negotiating the resolution of legal tax disputes arising from corporate consolidations, mergers, or estate and gift tax valuation issues.


For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. Your application will be considered based on education, training, and quality of your experience. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Your application must include your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Referral: Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

If you are a displaced Federal employee (eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be found "well qualified" for the position. Well qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, demonstrated by meeting all the competencies for this position.