Two positions may be filled from this announcement.
We are seeking an experienced Attorney and Leader with exceptional executive and legal advocacy skills to serve as Associate Special Counsel (ASC) to oversee program operations and division activities, provide senior level supervision and management, and serve as a key member of senior leadership.
Openings in the following divisions:
General Law Division (GLD), Washington DC
Investigation & Prosecution Division (IPD), Washington DC
Summary
Two positions may be filled from this announcement.
We are seeking an experienced Attorney and Leader with exceptional executive and legal advocacy skills to serve as Associate Special Counsel (ASC) to oversee program operations and division activities, provide senior level supervision and management, and serve as a key member of senior leadership.
Openings in the following divisions:
General Law Division (GLD), Washington DC
Investigation & Prosecution Division (IPD), Washington DC
As Associate Special Counsel, you will be a key advisor to the Special Counsel and directly oversee a broad portfolio of division matters.
Duties, depending on division, may include:
Provides executive direction to assigned Units, effectively achieving OSC's legislative mandates in protecting federal employees, applicants, and former employees from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing; promoting a fair and unbiased federal government through enforcement of the Hatch Act; providing a channel for whistleblowers to report evidence of government waste, fraud, abuse, or other wrongdoing; and defending the rights of returning service members and reservists against employment discrimination.
Reviews all recommendations and memoranda before submission to the Principal Deputy Special Counsel and Special Counsel, to ensure compliance with and reflect consistent application of appropriate laws, rules, regulations, and OSC policies and procedures.
Advises the Principal Deputy Special Counsel and Special Counsel on the appropriate enforcement actions, which may include filing complaints with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), or seeking corrective or disciplinary actions.
Supervises negotiations with other federal agencies and departments to resolve cases efficiently.
Provides leadership to Senior Staff in establishing and accomplishing OSC's organizational objectives, policies, programs and personnel decisions.
Engages with federal agencies, Congress, and the public to promote awareness of OSC's mission and to provide training and outreach on prohibited personnel practices and whistleblower protections.
Promotes and protects whistleblowers by ensuring their disclosures are properly investigated and that they are protected from retaliation.
Serves as an authoritative advisor to the Special Counsel and Principal Deputy Special Counsel.
Provides supervision to Division Chiefs to ensure optimal coordination, resource allocation and efficiency and fairness in operations.
U.S. Citizen or national authorized to work in the U.S.
Individuals born after 12-31-1959 and required to register for Selective Service under the Military Selective Service Act of 50 USC App. 453, must be registered or otherwise exempt from Selective Service. See "Additional Information" section below.
Direct Deposit of pay is required.
E-Verify will be used to confirm employment eligibility on new employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
Suitable for Federal employment as determined by appropriate background investigation/security clearance.
Probationary period may be required.
Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required by law to review the executive qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) prior to appointment.
All members of the SES are subject to geographic relocation/mobility requirements.
Public Financial Disclosure required.
Qualifications
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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
Basic Education
You must provide documentation that you meet the following requirements:
A professional law degree (L.L.B., J.D., L.L.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; and
An active membership in good standing in a bar of a state, U.S. Territory, District of Columbia, Commonwealth or Puerto Rico.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ 1: Demonstrated ability to manage a legal services program, including the ability to review and assess the organizational effectiveness of program services and policies, and to design and implement procedures to improve/optimize organizational performance
TQ 2: Demonstrated experience effectively communicating complex legal and technical issues through oral and written communications, including the ability to interact with career and political senior officials, external partners, and internal organizational entities that have differing and often conflicting interests.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five ECQs:
ECQ 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.
ECQ 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.
ECQ 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.
ECQ 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.
ECQ 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.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Your resume must explicitly outline your qualifications. We will not make assumptions about your experience.
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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
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
Selective Service: Individuals born after December 31, 1959, must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. You can find more information on Who Must Register and Exemptions here. In addition, you can find more information on what to do if you failed to register here.
Suitability: There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
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)"
Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.
OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
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.
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.
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.
Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which may ONLY include:
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:
CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent federal employee performance evaluation, if applicable.
4. Transcript(s) to confirm Basic Education;
5. Verification of an active membership in good standing in a bar of a state, U.S. Territory, District of Columbia, Commonwealth or Puerto Rico.
If you submit multiple copies of the same document, only your most recent uploaded document (by date & time stamp) will be considered. If your resume or supporting documents are illegible or unreadable, or if you fail to include any of the above-mentioned required documents, you may lose consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Applicants who disqualify themselves may not be considered further.
If your application materials contain sensitive or inappropriate information, including but not limited to: photographs; classified or government sensitive information; copied and pasted portions of this job announcement; obscene information, etc., you may not be considered.
Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for non-selection, disqualification from further consideration or withdrawal of tentative or final job offers. You will be required to certify to the accuracy of your application before a final job offer is made.
To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail.
Next Steps:
To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
If you require Reasonable Accommodation for the application process, or any other assistance/questions with the online application, please contact the Agency (outlined below) prior to the closing date of this announcement.
US Office of Special Counsel
1730 M St NW
Washington, DC 20036
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email that your application was received. Your application will be evaluated as outlined above and if you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. We anticipate a large number of applicants, and only the top candidates will be contacted for interview.
You will receive automated notifications through the USAjobs system as updates are available.
Selecting officials may choose any appropriate competitive, non-competitive or alternative candidate under Federal regulations and Agency policy. Interviews may be conducted individually, by panel, by third party, teleconference, video teleconference, or in person. Selecting officials have the option to interview any, all or none of the referred candidates. Management has the right to fill or not a fill this vacancy, as well as to cancel and re-announce as appropriate.
Additional Vacancies
This announcement may be used to fill additional or similar vacancies at the same or equivalent grade level.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which may ONLY include:
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:
CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent federal employee performance evaluation, if applicable.
4. Transcript(s) to confirm Basic Education;
5. Verification of an active membership in good standing in a bar of a state, U.S. Territory, District of Columbia, Commonwealth or Puerto Rico.
If you submit multiple copies of the same document, only your most recent uploaded document (by date & time stamp) will be considered. If your resume or supporting documents are illegible or unreadable, or if you fail to include any of the above-mentioned required documents, you may lose consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Applicants who disqualify themselves may not be considered further.
If your application materials contain sensitive or inappropriate information, including but not limited to: photographs; classified or government sensitive information; copied and pasted portions of this job announcement; obscene information, etc., you may not be considered.
Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for non-selection, disqualification from further consideration or withdrawal of tentative or final job offers. You will be required to certify to the accuracy of your application before a final job offer is made.
To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail.
Next Steps:
To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
If you require Reasonable Accommodation for the application process, or any other assistance/questions with the online application, please contact the Agency (outlined below) prior to the closing date of this announcement.
US Office of Special Counsel
1730 M St NW
Washington, DC 20036
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email that your application was received. Your application will be evaluated as outlined above and if you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. We anticipate a large number of applicants, and only the top candidates will be contacted for interview.
You will receive automated notifications through the USAjobs system as updates are available.
Selecting officials may choose any appropriate competitive, non-competitive or alternative candidate under Federal regulations and Agency policy. Interviews may be conducted individually, by panel, by third party, teleconference, video teleconference, or in person. Selecting officials have the option to interview any, all or none of the referred candidates. Management has the right to fill or not a fill this vacancy, as well as to cancel and re-announce as appropriate.
Additional Vacancies
This announcement may be used to fill additional or similar vacancies at the same or equivalent grade level.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
