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Chief Counsel

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Loan Programs Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

LPO is responsible for implementing the Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) and the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMLP). This includes advising the Deputy Secretary and the Credit Review Board on the status and effectiveness of the LGP and ATVMLP, ensuring coordination with DOE program and staff offices, and acquiring and administering the expert services needed during the review of loan guarantee applications. The LPO office reports directly to the Secretary of Energy.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/01/2021 to 11/15/2021
Salary
$174,225 to - $199,300 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
00
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-LP-00386-11271602-ES
Control number
619544000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all groups of individuals currently within the Federal civil service. SES reinstatement eligibles and SESCDP graduates may also apply for noncompetitive consideration (check boxes: Competitive, Excepted, SES, and Land & Base Management) ***(OR)*** Open to All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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As the Chief Counsel you will:

  • Serve as the legal advisor to the LPO Executive Director. The position is an element of the Office of General Counsel of DOE, operationally located in the LPO, and reports to the DOE General Counsel. The LPO Chief Counsel participates in deliberations of the LPO Executive Director and LPO staff on major plans, policies, and programs, providing advice as to the legal implications of proposed plans or actions.
  • The LPO Chief Counsel consults regularly with the DOE General Counsel, managers of DOE components, other government agencies, and private sector officials regarding the full range of legal issues affecting projects assigned by the LPO Executive Director, including, but not limited to, Memoranda of Understanding, fiscal, acquisition, and environmental law.
  • The incumbent is responsible for providing the full range of legal advice and services to LPO in connection with contracts for LPO requirements.
  • Advises the LPO Executive Director and LPO Division Directors on procurement law, policy, and procedures. Reviews all loans issued and contracts awarded by LPO. Advises LPO contracting officers and contracting negotiators on all legal aspects of acquisition. Provides contract drafting services and participates in negotiation of special contract terms and conditions involving legal principles. Assists in developing policies and procedures necessary to implement loan agreements.
  • Supervises LPO's participation in adversarial proceedings. Assures preparation of pleadings, litigation reports, gathering of evidence, and identification of witnesses; determines LPO's position on proposed settlements of all pending litigation. Serves as LPO's point of contact with and maintains direct, continuing liaison with the Department of Justice.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THIS VACANCY: This is a career position in the SES. Unless the selectee is already a member of the SES with career status or has successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program certified by OPM, executive qualifications must be approved by OPM before the appointment can be effected. If you are selected, you will be responsible for working with a DOE Executive Consultant to finalize your ECQ narrative for OPM submission.

CITIZENSHIP: You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE (HSPD-12): A selectee's appointment is contingent upon compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity.

PUBLIC FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (OGE 278): If you are selected for this position, will be required to file this report prior to entry on duty in accordance with the Ethics of Government Act of 1978.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: An individual's initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a one-year probationary period.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

DRUG TESTING: As a condition of appointment to this position, you will be subject to pre-employment/pre-appointment testing for illegal drug use under the U.S. Department of Energy Employee Drug Plan. If you are selected you will be provided information regarding drug testing. Failure to undergo testing or positive findings resulting from the test will eliminate you from further consideration for this position. If selected for and appointed to this position you will be subject to random drug testing while employed.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: All males born after December 31, 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.

MOBILITY: A mobility agreement may be required based on mission needs.

E-VERIFY: New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Qualifications

FEDERAL REQUIRMENT FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION:
As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If you are selected for this position, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22, 2021, or prior to onboarding, if hired after November 22, unless you request a legally required exception from this requirement.

As part of onboarding, you will need to submit DOE's Certification of COVID-19 Vaccination for Prospective Federal Employees attesting to truthfulness that you are fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021, or prior to onboarding, if hired after November 22, 2021. Once onboard, you will then be required to provide proof of vaccination in DOE's MyEnergy system and certify the documentation you provide is true and correct under penalty of perjury. Providing a knowing and willful false statement on either DOE's COVID-19 Vaccination Form prior to starting or when providing proof of vaccination in DOE's MyEnergy system once onboard is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001) and will result in termination from Federal service.

Resume-Based Resume: Applicants must show possession of the ECQs and any technical qualifications via resume. Your resume presented will reflect that you possess the ECQs and give a synopsis of your accomplishments.

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 to include the MTQ narrative.

A sample 5-page executive level resume and ECQ narratives can be viewed at this link http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

ECQ 1: LEADING CHANGE: Ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals and establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2: LEADING PEOPLE: Ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals and provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3: RESULTS DRIVEN: Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations, and make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ 4: BUSINESS ACUMEN: Ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5: BUILDING COALITIONS: Ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required by law to review the executive core qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) prior to appointment.For additional information on ECQs, please review the detailed information provided by OPM at the following link: Executive Core Qualifications.

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): A supplemental narrative must be uploaded and attached to your application addressing each MTQ listed below. No more than one (1) page per MTQ is allowed; additional informational information will not be considered. MTQs must provide specific examples that address relevant experience and accomplishments. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following MTQs. Failure to submit a narrative statement addressing each of the MTQs may cause your application to be deemed incomplete and not be considered.

MTQ 1: Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of law, legal principles, and precedents necessary to handle complex legal issues related to finance, tax and budget, legislation and regulations, contracts, procurements, judicial and administrative litigation, and human resources management.


MTQ 2: Knowledge of legal principles and practice involving project and corporate finance, to include understanding the interests of lending institutions; knowledge of credit programs and related lending regulations; experience advising clients in developing loan documentation; experience developing governance and documentation to support loan origination and monitoring; and ability to represent and defend loans to administrative agencies. Inherent in this qualification is the demonstrated ability to lead negotiations and execution of highly complex financial arrangements, as well as influence senior officials.


MTQ 3: Demonstrated skill developing a strategy to communicate, interpret, and advocate on complex legal matters arising in a broad range of legal practice areas; provide legal advice to leadership; and assess and prioritize client and organizational needs.

Education

Must meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (L.L.B or J.D.).

Must be a current member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory or the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. You must provide a copy of this.

You must provide a copy of your transcripts from an accredited institution. Be sure to include those transcripts directly applicable to determining your meeting the education requirements. Failure to provide proof of education will result in non-consideration for this position. OFFICIAL ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPTS will be required to be provided prior to entrance-on-duty for individuals selected.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see Department of Education

Additional information

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
  • OF-306: You may be required to complete an OF-306, "Declaration for Federal Employment" form used to (a) determine your suitability for Federal Employment and/or (b) in conducting an investigation to determine your suitability or ability to hold a security clearance.
  • Applications contain information subject to the Privacy Act (PL 93 579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

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 on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable). Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the ECQs & MTQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration.

As part of the Resume Based recruitment method, the ERB Panel conducts a structured interview for all applicants, both competitive and non-competitive, who are determined to be in the top category from the ERB Rating Panel. Based on the Panel's evaluation, applicants who are determined Best Qualified will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive service (SES).

Once a candidate has been identified for selection, reference checks may be completed. The Department's appointing official(s) will make a final approval of the selection, and in competitive cases, OPM's Qualifications Review Board (QRB) must certify the ECQs before final appointment can occur. If OPM approval is required for the ECQs, the candidate is required to assist in the development of the QRB template for submission to the QRB. Verification of performance, suitability and security information from reference checks will be taken into consideration when making offers of employment.

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