This position serves as the General Counsel of the U. S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) an independent Federal Agency of the U.S. Government. The incumbent provides leadership, oversight, and support to the multiple practice groups within Office of the General Counsel, as well as provides direct legal support to Agency leadership and senior management in carrying all functions necessary for operating a federal agency and an international media organization.
Summary
This position serves as the General Counsel of the U. S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) an independent Federal Agency of the U.S. Government. The incumbent provides leadership, oversight, and support to the multiple practice groups within Office of the General Counsel, as well as provides direct legal support to Agency leadership and senior management in carrying all functions necessary for operating a federal agency and an international media organization.
As General Counsel, you will be responsible for duties to include, but are not limited to:
Develops and provides comprehensive legal advice and support to the USAGM Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal Officer and executive leadership:
Renders and/or oversees the development of authoritative legal opinions, oral and written, on an exceptionally broad range of complex legal issues and problems requiring knowledge and experience in many diverse legal areas.
Advises on laws, regulations, Congressional legislation, etc. which may affect the USAGM's mission and function, including probable impact of new or revised legislation and recommends agency course of action.
Evaluates new and proposed legislation and foreign affairs initiatives to identify those that may impact on the Agency, the Agency, and the entities it oversees. Develops analyses of these and formulates and recommends policy options, implementing procedures and possible resources.
Drafts or reviews proposed legislation affecting the agency's relationships with the entities it oversees, including the grantee organizations.
Drafts or reviews charters and enabling legislation for special entities as may be required by USAGM to pursue specific goals or achieve specific objectives.
Reviews the implementing procedures for these entities for legal adequacy and sufficiency.
Answers questions over interpretation of legal authorities and represents the agency on legal matters pertaining to the interpretation and execution of its enumerated, unique and complex statutory authorities.
Drafts or reviews USAGM policies and procedures relating to its multiple and complex authorities and functions, and assures compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations, including, among others, the Ethics in Government Act, the Government in the Sunshine Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Privacy Act.
Provides advice and guidance on all aspects of the agency's operations and resolves legal and policy problems pertaining to the non- military radio, television and digital media broadcasting services of the U.S. Government and related domestic and overseas activities.
Reviews proposed contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other agreements involving matters pertaining to non-delegable authorities of USAGM to assure that such agreements are adequately drawn to protect the interests of the U.S. and the USAGM.
Participates with the USAGM CEO and other high-ranking officials in overall policy formulation and program planning for the agency.
Represents the CEO, Chief Legal Officer, and USAGM in dealings with other federal agencies including the Justice Department and the Department of State on all legal matters.
Exercises delegated authority to oversee planning, direction, and timely execution of OGC organization and programs, including development, assignment, and higher-level clearance of goals and objectives for OGC executives, supervisors, and managers.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit.
All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed unless this probationary period has already been served.
Selected candidate will be required to submit Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 278.
Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Qualifications
To meet minimum qualification requirements for this position, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
All applicants MUST submit written narrative responses addressing each Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ) and Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) separately. When preparing your responses to the MTQs and ECQs, you are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result model outlined in the OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications. Your examples should be clear and concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope of complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments including the results of your actions. ECQ narrative statements may not exceed ten (10) pages; MTQs may not exceed two (2) pages. Please included your full name on all documents submitted.
You must upload your written narrative responses to MTQs and EQCs to your application package. Failure to meet the basic qualification requirement and address all Mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualification factors will result in your application being disqualified.
Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to provide ECQs narratives.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ):Mandatory for all applicants.
All applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following MTQs. You must address each MTQ separately. Each MTQ narrative must not exceed two (2) pages. Please give examples and explain the complexity of the knowledge possessed and the sensitivity of the issued you handled.
MTQ 1: Professional Legal Acumen - This requires graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school and current possession of an active bar membership in good standing, which permits the practice of law in the United States. This qualification also requires:
Experience in a senior legal position in an organization with demonstrated proficiency in analyzing complex and novel legal problems and formulating solutions by application of sound and thorough legal analysis.
Expert legal research and writing skills to ensure that written opinions have sound precedent value and can withstand scrutiny by opposing interests.
Knowledge of comprehensive and relevant Federal laws and court decisions, Comptroller General Decisions, and similar policies and procedures related to a broad range of administrative functions such as contracting, personnel, and security, as well as radio, television and digital media communications.
Demonstrated ability to successfully provide legal advice and opinions at the executive level, including conveying complex legal information in an easily understood way to managers, whose knowledge base of the subject in question may be limited in scope.
MTQ 2: Specialized Legal Acumen - This qualification requires experience related to legal issues in one or more of the following areas of law: federal civil litigation, labor law, employment law, contracts law, fiscal appropriation law, and laws relating to the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, substantive knowledge of Congress and the legislative process and/or media, journalism, and mass communications, intellectual property, copyright law, "fair use", plagiarism, freedom of speech, defamation of character, liability, confidentiality, and protection of sources.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS:Mandatory for all competitive applicants.
All applicants must submit a written narrative response to each of the following ECQs. Your narrative must address each ECQ separately, should contain at least two examples describing your experiences and results; and demonstrate the underlying competencies in the narrative. Your ECQ narrative responses must not exceed 10 pages.
ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision.
ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building.
ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility.
ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management.
ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Competencies:
Education
This position has a Basic Requirement of a J.D degree (under certain circumstances holders of LL.M, or LL. B degrees may meet the requirement if those degrees authorize them practice law in the United States.
Applicant must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Additional information
Actual salary for Senior Executive Service positions may vary depending on the scope and the complexity of the qualifications and current compensation of the selectee.
Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.
Applicants must meet all of the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
This vacancy has been amended to extend closing date.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.
Applicants that meet the qualifications requirements will be evaluated based on the quality and extent of their experience, training, and/or education indicated on their resume and the qualification responses described in the separate narrative statements. Applications will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel; the panel may conduct interviews with the top candidates and then make a recommendation to the selecting official. The best qualified candidates may be invited to participate in a structured interview. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.
Once a selection is made, the selectee's application will be forwarded to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for approval by an OPM independent Qualifications Review Board, unless the selectee is a current SES executive or has successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program.
Applicants who do not submit required documentation or demonstrate sufficient possession of the ECQs and MTQs in their application will be determined ineligible for further consideration.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
1. Resume - showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications - narrative responses for each MTQ. Limit your response to 2 pages per MTQ. You must title each MTQ. Required for all applicants.
3. Executive Core Qualifications - narrative responses for each ECQ, if applicable. Limit your response to 2 pages per ECQ for a total of 10 pages. You must title each ECQ. Required for all competitive candidates.
4. SF-50 - Most recent SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action (If applicable).
5. SES Non-Competitive Applicants - Proof of SES non-competitive eligibility is required. Proof consists of:
1) SF-50 showing your status as a:
(a) current Career SES appointee,
(b) former Career SES appointee with career SES reinstatement eligibility, or
(c) current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive
OR
2) A certificate of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SES CDP).
NOTE: This applies only if your ECQ's have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) through the SES CDP.
These documents may be used to determine your eligibility to be considered under this announcement. Non-competitive applicants do not need to submit ECQ narratives, but you must clearly state your status in your resume and submit written narrative response to the Mandatory Technical Qualification (s); not more than 2 pages per each MTQ. The agency has the option of considering you non-competitively or including you in the competitive process.
6. Current or former Political Appointees (if applicable) - please note on your resume and attach an SF-50 (i.e. your appointment SF-50). OPM must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
7. Proof of Bar Membership - Submit proof of active membership in good standing from the bar of a state, or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/01/2023 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
After the announcement closes, the Human Resources Office will conduct a review of your application package. If your application is complete and you meet basic qualification requirements, it will be forwarded to a Rating Panel/Executive Resources Board (ERB) for further review of your narrative statements addressing the required ECQs and MTQs. The best qualified candidates may be invited to participate in a structured interview. The Rating Panel/ERB will decide which Best Qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications once a final selection is made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Resume - showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications - narrative responses for each MTQ. Limit your response to 2 pages per MTQ. You must title each MTQ. Required for all applicants.
3. Executive Core Qualifications - narrative responses for each ECQ, if applicable. Limit your response to 2 pages per ECQ for a total of 10 pages. You must title each ECQ. Required for all competitive candidates.
4. SF-50 - Most recent SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action (If applicable).
5. SES Non-Competitive Applicants - Proof of SES non-competitive eligibility is required. Proof consists of:
1) SF-50 showing your status as a:
(a) current Career SES appointee,
(b) former Career SES appointee with career SES reinstatement eligibility, or
(c) current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive
OR
2) A certificate of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SES CDP).
NOTE: This applies only if your ECQ's have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) through the SES CDP.
These documents may be used to determine your eligibility to be considered under this announcement. Non-competitive applicants do not need to submit ECQ narratives, but you must clearly state your status in your resume and submit written narrative response to the Mandatory Technical Qualification (s); not more than 2 pages per each MTQ. The agency has the option of considering you non-competitively or including you in the competitive process.
6. Current or former Political Appointees (if applicable) - please note on your resume and attach an SF-50 (i.e. your appointment SF-50). OPM must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
7. Proof of Bar Membership - Submit proof of active membership in good standing from the bar of a state, or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered in the profile is accurate and all required documents are uploaded and submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/01/2023 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload the documentation to the system by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
After the announcement closes, the Human Resources Office will conduct a review of your application package. If your application is complete and you meet basic qualification requirements, it will be forwarded to a Rating Panel/Executive Resources Board (ERB) for further review of your narrative statements addressing the required ECQs and MTQs. The best qualified candidates may be invited to participate in a structured interview. The Rating Panel/ERB will decide which Best Qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications once a final selection is made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
