Clarification from the agency

This announcement is OPEN to ALL Qualified Individuals. U.S. Citizenship is required. You must apply online to be considered for this vacancy. Please review this announcement in its entirety for specific information on how to apply.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is leading technology modernization across the federal government. GSA partners with other agencies to transform the way they build, buy, and share technology. And, by using innovative methodologies and technologies, GSA helps federal agencies to improve the public’s digital experience with the government. For example, Login.gov—an authentication and identity verification system that is designed and developed by GSA’s Technology and Transformation Services— provides secure access to online government services, while reducing costs for taxpayers and federal agencies.

To support GSA’s commitment to advancing its technology-based programs, the agency’s General Counsel recently announced the creation of a new Technology Law Division within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and now seeks a highly motivated and experienced attorney to serve as the head of that Division. The Associate General Counsel reports directly to the General Counsel and works closely with the most senior leaders across the agency to help GSA continue delivering the best customer experience and value in technology services to the government and the American people. More specifically, the Associate General Counsel is responsible for:

• Leading a growing team of attorneys who are closely integrated with GSA’s technology-based programs—where attorneys sit alongside clients to drive innovation in a dynamic and compliant way.
• Providing legal support to GSA’s technology-focused components—namely, the Office of GSA IT, Technology Transformation Services, and the Technology Modernization Fund Program Management Office—which provide a suite of technology-based programs, including Login.gov, the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program, the Centers of Excellence, the Office of 18F, and the U.S. Digital Corps, among others. 
• Advising on matters involving compliance with technology-related laws, regulations, standards, directives, and policies; intellectual property law; privacy law; fiscal and administrative law; and technology-related policy issues. 
• Assisting OGC’s other divisions and regions with technology-related matters.  

This role requires a strong work ethic; good judgment; a self-starter attitude; substantive knowledge of government technology standards (e.g., NIST), administrative law, and privacy law; interest in learning about new technologies and areas of the law; comfort with working on time-sensitive, high-visibility matters; the ability to identify issues early and drive to resolution independently; and a desire to actively provide client-centered legal support through close collaboration and focus on achieving client goals.

Conditions of employment

• Resume-based hiring method.
• Resume must not exceed 5 pages, including optional cover letter.
• All application materials must be received by the closing date.
• Veterans preference is not applicable to the SES.
• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Apply online (See 'How to Apply' section).
• Declaration for Federal Employment required if tentatively selected.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• This position is a critical-sensitive national security position and appointment requires that you undergo a single scope background investigation and that the GSA security office grants you a Top Secret national security clearance. Applicants do not need this level of clearance in order to apply. If you are not a GSA employee, the security office must grant the clearance before you are appointed to this position unless a pre-appointment waiver of this requirement is approved.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 will be required to complete a certification document confirming their selective service status.
• Persons selected for their initial appointment to an SES position must have their executive qualifications approved by the Office of Personnel Management before being appointed to the position.
• If selected, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously successfully completed a one-year probationary period in the Senior Executive Service.
• If selected, you must file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) upon appointment in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• This position has been designated under Executive Order 12564 as being subject to random drug screening.  If tentatively selected for this position, you may be required to submit to a urinalysis screen for illegal drugs prior to appointment.  Appointment will be contingent upon your receiving a negative test result.

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the Mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualification requirements listed below to be eligible for consideration. Eligibility will be based on a clear demonstration that the applicant's training and experience are of the scope, quality and level of responsibility sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this executive position.

Your resume must show possession of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) listed below but must not address the ECQ’s through separate narrative responses.

You must submit a supplemental statement that separately addresses the Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTC's) listed below.  Your resume should also corroborate your possession of the MTC's. Your application will not be considered if you fail to submit this supplemental statement.

Please see the "Required Documents" section below for complete instructions on the content and format of your application package.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES (MTC's):

1. Demonstrated experience providing legal services in the area of technology law and other matters involving compliance with technology-related standards, regulations and policies; Also, demonstrated experience providing legal services in support of technology innovation.
2. Demonstrated experience in managing, supervising and leading a team of attorneys, including recruiting legal talent; overseeing handling of complex issues with legal and policy implications; tending to the unique professional development requirements of legal professionals; and handling personnel, performance and resource issues associated with managing a legal practice.

MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

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.

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.

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.

4.  Business Acumen - This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

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, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

For guidance on how to address the ECQ's in context of your resume, please refer to page 29 of the "Guide to SES Qualifications" at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf.

How you will be evaluated

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

An SES review panel will evaluate your resume based on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Applicants determined to be highly qualified may undergo an interview, other assessments and a reference check and may be required to provide a writing sample, work plan or other written product. If selected, you must be certified by an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB), unless you are a current career SES member, former career SES member with SES career reinstatement eligibility, or have successfully completed an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SES CDP). You must receive QRB certification before you can be appointed to this position.
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