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Deputy General Counsel

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide
Office of Inspector General

Summary

The incumbent of this position serves as Deputy General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, Office of Inspector General. The Deputy General Counsel provides legal counsel, services, and policy advice to the Inspector General (IG), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Assistant Inspectors General (AIG)and staff of auditors, evaluators, inspectors, investigators, and administrators.

Overview

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Open & closing dates
04/29/2026 to 05/12/2026
Salary
$151,661 - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Telework as determined by the agency policy with supervisory approval.
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
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DOS/OIG-26-12938384-ST
Control number
866987200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration for this position is all groups of qualified individuals within the Competitive Service, Excepted Service, Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Executive Service (SES) reinstatement eligibles, and SES Candidate Development Program certified graduates with noncompetitive eligibility. A person is considered to be in the civil service only if occupying a civil service position at the time of application.

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Duties

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The incumbent serves as the Deputy General Counsel to the Inspector General and handles the substantial legal workload that supports audits, evaluations, inspections, investigations, and other critical Office of Inspector General (OIG) activities. The incumbent works with the General Counsel to:

  • Assumes duties of General Counsel to the Inspector General in his/her absence.
  • Takes responsibility for liaison with other senior attorneys within the Department, other Federal departments or agencies, or private counsel.
  • Assists in supervising, directing, and coordinating the work of attorneys and legal support Staff.
  • Provides expert legal advice and services with respect to OIG audit and inspection activities.
  • Provides expert legal advice and services with respect to legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters.
  • Provides expert legal advice and services with respect to OIG investigations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
  • You may be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • All employees 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/.
  • This position may require occasional travel.
  • Supervisors in the executive branch have a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. You will be required to review the 14 General Principles of Ethical Conduct at 5 CFR 2635.101.
  • You will be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • All initial appointments to an SES position are contingent on approval from OPM's Qualifications Review Board unless the selectee has successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program.
  • Hold and maintain license to practice law and certificate of good standing.

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.

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME BASED. It is important that your resume be complete and thorough, following the requirements outlined below.

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.

Your Resume must be no more than 2-pages using no less than 10-point font with no less than 1-inch margins all around to describe your qualifications. If you submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit and/or does not meet the margin or font limitations stated herein, you will immediately be deemed ineligible for this position and will receive no further consideration. 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. Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy technical qualifications.

TQ1 - Demonstrated experience leading a team of OIG lawyers providing general counsel to all component activities of an OIG including direct support to the core audit, investigations, and inspection functions of an OIG; and

TQ2 - Demonstrated experience in reviewing--and leading others in the review of--current and proposed legislation, regulations, trends and initiatives to inform senior executives on the contours of each and compliance with such laws and guidance.

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 the 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.
For detailed guidance on ECQs, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications at Executive Core Qualifications
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).

Education

Mandatory: You must have earned a professional law degree (e.g. J.D.) acquired through graduation from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association, and be an active member in good standing of the Bar in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. You must include a copy of current/active Bar Membership under supporting documentations tab "license" and transcripts.You must provide legible transcripts or a list of college courses showing completed course work, semester hours earned, and degree(s) awarded, and a copy of your professional certification, if applicable. Failure to do so will eliminate you from further consideration. If selected, you will need to verify that you meet these requirements before appointment.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Veteran's Preference: is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.

Security and Background Requirements: A background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.

E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

Financial Disclosures: This position is subject to public financial disclosure requirements. HHS policy requires a pre-appointment review, and your initial report must be filed within 30 days of the effective date of appointment. For more information about Financial Disclosure and OGE Form 278, you may go to the Office of Government Ethics website at www.oge.gov and select Resources for Financial Disclosure Filers.

Political Appointment: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political appointees. If you are currently or have been within the last five (5) years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to
There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

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.

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 the ECQs and MTQs and will be referred to the hiring component for further consideration.

ECQs and MTQs 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. Do not list a Social Security Number or Date of Birth on any attachment.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to the USA Hire Executive Assessment required for this position.

External USA Hire Assessment: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Civic-Mindedness
  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Managing Resources
  • Leveraging Technology
  • Technical Skill
  • Problem Solving
  • Agility and Resilience
  • Accountability
  • Developing Others
  • Executive Judgement
  • Operational Mindset
  • Innovation
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Customer Service
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Conflict Management
  • Team Building
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Continual Learning

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from 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 the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB through a Structured Interview process, 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/.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12938384

Department of State - Agency Wide

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), which has statutory oversight responsibility covering the Department and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and the U.S. Section of the International Water and Boundary Commission (USIBWC). OIG's mission is to conduct independent audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations to promote economy and efficiency and to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the programs and operations of the Department and USAGM. OIG staff include direct hires, a small contingent of Foreign Service Officers, and contract employees domestically.

Agency contact information

DOS OIG
Email
OIGHiring@stateoig.gov
Address
US Department of State - Office of Inspector General
N/A
Arlington, VA 22209
US

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https://www.stateoig.gov/

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