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Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (FIP)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Summary

Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, seeks enthusiastic individuals to serve taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS.

To learn more, click the links below:
IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site
Meet Our People
Learn about our Legal Divisions

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/12/2026 to 02/13/2026
Salary
$151,661 to - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
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
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
00
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CCAS-26-12863793-SES
Control number
854254700

Duties

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As the Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products), the incumbent of this position assists and acts for the Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products (FIP)) as a full deputy in the overall executive direction of the legal work performed by professional and support staff in the Washington, DC headquarters. The work involves providing legal advisory services that support uniform interpretation, application, enforcement, and litigation of tax laws involving the taxation of financial institutions (banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, and real estate investment trusts), financial products (annuities, original issue discount obligations, hedges, swaps, options, futures, bonds, and forwards), and tax-exempt and tax credit bonds. The incumbent works closely with Treasury officials and IRS Division Commissioners and other Associate and Division Counsel on program matters.

MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE (yet not limited to):

  • Assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as senior legal advisor and expert consultant to Internal Revenue Service Division Commissioners, the Chief Counsel, and other top-ranking IRS and Treasury officials on the most difficult, important and complex issues, regulations, and needs relating to financial institutions and products, and on other selected legal issues. Represents these officials on sensitive and controversial issues related to these areas.
  • Assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as principal legal advisor to the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel(s), other Division Counsel, and other Chief Counsel and IRS executives in issues and programs involving banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies and products, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, annuities, original issue discount obligations, and other types of financial instruments and entities. Provides technical interpretation of the tax code and determines the legal position of the IRS in these and other designated program areas.
  • In accordance with delegations of authority from the Chief Counsel and in consultation with the Division Counsel, exercises other responsibilities in designated areas including (but not limited to): designating cases for litigation; approving the defense or settlement of cases pending in the U. S. Tax Court; reviewing and coordinating pleadings, motions, briefs, settlement documents, notices of appeal, and other material prepared in connection with Tax Court litigation; approving recommendations of acquiescence and nonacquiescence in adverse decisions in tax litigation; and coordinating all other necessary litigation matters.
  • Collaborates closely with the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) and, when acting for him/her, has full authority to make decisions on any problems arising in the administration of the designated areas of responsibility including authority for signature on all matters on which the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) has authority. Either directs, or personally performs, exhaustive and detailed research on complicated problems or cases, and reviews or prepares recommendations as to the position to be taken by the Associate Chief Counsel(FIP).
  • Actively assists the organization with program design and management. Identifies emerging issues appropriate for issue management, including strategic litigation; assists the organization in addressing non-compliant market segments by assisting with the development and implementation of compliance approaches and strategies including education and assistance with examinations; and collaborates to build cooperative partnerships with customers and stakeholders.
  • Assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as full partners with IRS counterparts in formulating short and long range program policies, strategies, and objectives for the organization to implement overall IRS strategy and vision. Participates in the design and development of integrated policies, programs, systems, and strategies that effectively provide superior customer service and ensures fairness and equity in enforcement for financial institutions.
  • Assists in directing and overseeing the overall management of FIP's legal staff. In this regard, assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in providing continuing coordination, control, and direction of FIP operations to assure that Chief Counsel objectives, policies, procedures, and programs are implemented fully and effectively, including the development of programs and their evaluation in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, comprehensiveness, and timeliness.
  • Serves as an acting Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) on operational matters when so designated during the absence or unavailability of the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP).
Performs other duties, as assigned, and delegated, by the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP), Chief Counsel and/or Deputy Chief Counsels.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Refer to "Additional Information"
  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Qualifications

To qualify for this position of Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) you must meet the following requirements:

  • Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND
  • Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
  • Desired Education/Experience: An LL.M. in Taxation is desired but not required. Seven (7) years of professional legal tax experience is desired.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability. The ideal candidate will have experience supervising many employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature is at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume that shows you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages. If selected for this position you will be required to address each ECQ during a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Written narratives for the ECQs are not required.

Current and former career SES employees, and OPM Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates are exempt to address the ECQs.

By statute, OPM prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to evaluate executive experience and not technical expertise. The following ECQs provide the focus for certification of executive core qualifications for initial appointment to the Senior Executive Service. Your two-page resume should show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications listed below:

  1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  2. Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  3. Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high- accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  5. Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Additional information on ECQs is in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Results model outlined in the guide, to prepare for the structured interview. Written narratives for the ECQs are not required; however, applicants must be prepared to address each ECQ in a structured interview with the QRB.

In addition to the ECQs, candidates must address Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs). MTQs are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their two-page resume, experience and accomplishments related to the MTQs below:

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs):

  1. Position requires a thorough and comprehensive legal knowledge and a broad technical knowledge of tax laws, legal administration, and functions of the Internal Revenue Service, with an emphasis on the tax laws affecting financial institutions and products (e.g., banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies and products, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, annuities, original issue discount obligations, and other types of financial instruments and entities).
  2. Demonstrated ability to develop nationwide strategies and provide dedicated support and legal advice to high profile significant IRS top ranking officials and provide effective quality legal services to both internal and external customers.

Desirable:

  1. A thorough understanding of the operations and organization of the Internal Revenue Service and Office of Chief Counsel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work 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.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

  • Relocation expenses may be authorized if eligible for current federal employees.
  • This is a non-bargaining unit position.
  • We offer opportunities for telework.
  • We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
Conditions of Employment Continued:
  • Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed).
  • You will serve a one-year Senior Executive Service (SES) probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • 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.
  • Public Trust (85PS) Background Investigation required
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • Undergo an income tax verification.
  • The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns.
  • This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time.

    There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
  • Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
  • FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
  • SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will be considered based on their overall background as it relates to the position to be filled. Interviews for the initial selection may be held at the option of the Executive Resources Board (ERB). All application materials and interviews, if conducted, will be used in the final evaluation and selection process.

Candidates found minimally qualified will be further evaluated by the ERB based on the extent and quality of their experience as it relates to the ECQs and technical qualifications (TQs) needed for this position. Appropriate consideration will be given for job-related training, education, awards, publications, and supervisory appraisals of job performance.

(Note: Current and former SES members, and other candidates who have already been OPM/QRB-certified, are not required to address the executive core qualifications. They must, however, provide documentation of certification in the form of an SF-50 showing career SES status, or an OPM issued SES qualification certificate.)

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview, such as travel to and from the interview site.

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