Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals may apply. Current career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, OPM certified graduates of an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may be considered noncompetitively.

The Regional Chief Counsel is responsible for legal services on business management activities and administrative operations in the Region including personnel matters and claims by and against the Agency.

S/he consults with and assists U.S. Attorneys and the headquarters Department of Justice in the investigation, preparation, presentation and conduct of both criminal and civil litigation resulting from Agency activities within the Region, including development of strategies for litigation activities and negotiating settlements of claims against the United States. Such consultation and assistance may include the preparation of complaints, briefs, motions, stipulations, judgments, findings, and all other instruments and documents peculiar to litigation, interviewing witnesses, and advice provided concerning the legality of State, local and private claims against the United States.

The incumbent participates with the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel, in the overall planning, reporting, and budgeting of the program and litigation work of the Office of the General Counsel, and in the selection, assignment, utilization and evaluation of professional and clerical staff. Coordinates work where problems and issues are referable to more than one attorney; obtains consistent interpretations on matters throughout the Office of the General Counsel and other Regions; and equalizes workloads by provisional assignments of attorneys within the Region.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. Although applicants cannot address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) separately, evidence of each must be clearly demonstrated in the five (5) page resume and throughout the rest of the application package. It is important that your resume be complete and thorough. Please be sure to include and address all ECQs and MTQs in your resume and application package.
A sample 5-page resume that incorporates the ECQs can be found in OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications (pages 29-37): https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/seniorexecutive-service/executive-core-qualifications/

In order to be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan).

MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs describe the leadership skills needed to succeed in the Senior Executive Service (SES). Your resume and application must demonstrate and address the ECQs and include examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities; address the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; describe policy initiatives undertaken; define level of contacts; convey the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and identify the results of actions taken. The five ECQs are as follows:

(1) Leading Change - Ability to develop and implement an organizational vision with integrates key national and program goals, priorities, values, and other factors. Inherent to it is the ability to balance change and continuity--to continually strive to improve customer service and program performance within the basic Government framework, to create a work environment that encourages creative thinking, and to maintain focus, intensity and persistence, even under adversity. Includes the ability to formulate effective program strategies consistent with the overall goals of the organization.
(2) Leading People - Ability to design and implement strategies which maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the organization's vision, mission and goals. Includes leveraging diversity and other differences, promoting developmental opportunities for staff, fostering commitment and team spirit, and constructively resolving conflicts.
(3) Results Driven - Stresses accountability and continuous improvement. It includes the ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of program and policies. Includes the ability to address and balance complex and diverse program requirements within available resources in response to major changing needs in the diverse field of social insurance/welfare reform and the interdisciplinary impact on social insurance programs.
(4) Business Acumen - Ability to acquire and administer human, financial, material, and information resources in a manner which instills public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission, and to use new technology to enhance decision making. Includes demonstrated ability in recruiting and selecting staff, allocating resources, and/or managing budgetary processes.
(5) Building Coalitions - Ability to explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. It also involves the ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations, and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Includes ability to interact constructively with Federal officials, representatives of professional organizations and the public sector.

MANDATORY PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): A supplemental narrative must be submitted separately addressing each Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification (MTQ) below. No more than one (1) page per MTQ is allowed; additional information will not be considered.

(1) Membership in the bar of the court of a State, Territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (proof/copy of active Bar membership must be provided with your application)

(2) Senior-level experience providing legal advice and counsel, orally and in writing, to senior officials of a private sector organization or large government agency at the Federal and state level on a wide variety of legal issues

(3) Significant senior-level experience in the practice of law, either in the area of administrative or court litigation or other administrative law

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (DQs):

(1) Senior-level experience performing as a litigator with, or directing staff interaction with, United States Attorneys or District/State Attorneys in the preparation, development, and defense of litigation, or performing the same activities as the litigation or supervisor of attorneys pursuing or defending against the governmental entity

How you will be evaluated

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

As part of the Resume Based recruitment method, applicants must submit a resume of no more than five (5) pages and a separate narrative addressing each MTQ (maximum of one (1) page per MTQ). Pages submitted in excess of the limits described above will not be considered. Do not list a Social Security Number or Date of Birth on any attachment.

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your accomplishments and experience. Your application will be rated and ranked by an SES Rating Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants determined to be Highly Qualified must demonstrate sufficient possession of ECQs, MTQs, and DQs will be referred to the hiring component for further consideration. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo an interview and a reference check. If you are the recommended selectee, you may be asked to submit a written narrative statement addressing each of the ECQs, which must be certified by an OPM Qualifications Review Board prior to appointment, unless you are a current SES executive or have successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program.