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Summary

The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 07/31/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 31, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—-Ad Hoc
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$121,785 - $187,093 per year

The salary range listed is an approximation and subject to locality adjustment.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NGA-26-206-DE
Control number
876750300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all United States Citizens and Nationals. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

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Duties

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The Office of the Secretary and General Counsel (SG) provides effective, sound, and innovative legal counsel to a single client, the National Gallery of Art, as it pursues its vision to be “Of the nation and for all the people.” We ensure that the National Gallery meets the complex legal requirements and obligations inherent to an entity with a unique Federal and private status. We also play a role in risk management and mitigation. Some of the work that SG performs includes negotiating agreements, managing disputes, preparing policies, and providing legal advice on matters. In our work, we value integrity, innovation, and community, as well as the National Gallery’s educational mission.

Duties for this position include 

  • Research and advises on issues concerning trusts and estates, gifts and bequests, and donations, and reviews and drafts pertinent documents.
  • Drafts a wide range of contracts, including agreements for conservators, educational consultants, performers, lecturers, translators, and photographers. 
  • Research and advise on issues related to non-profit tax issues. When appropriate, recommends and develops policies and procedures to address relevant tax questions and/or issues.
  • Advises the Secretary to the Board of Trustees in researching governance issues and preparing for Committee and Board meetings.
  • Advises Gallery officers and employees as to their obligations and rights on all legal aspects of their official duties.
  • Research and advise on a variety of legal issues in the areas of intellectual property, administrative law, new technologies, commercial and residential leases, torts, and employment. Reviews and drafts internal Gallery policies relating to a variety of issues including but not limited to, operations, staff responsibilities and loan procedures

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Must be a member of State/DC Bar Association
  • Must have a J.D from an accredited law school

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding 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). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

Qualifications

Basic Reuirements;

1) possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and
(2) be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
(3) be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.

GS 13- Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or private sector, independently advising on trusts and estates for a large complex organization. Experience with gifts and bequests, contracts or taxes.   

GS 14- Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service or private sector, as subject matter expert advising on trusts and estates for a large complex organization. Experience with gifts and bequests, contracts or taxes.   

OPM Qualifications Standard:

Individual Occupational Requirements: General Attorney Series 0905 Associated Group standard: None

Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Must be a memeber of State/DC bar association and have a J.D from an accredited law school. Documentation required.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.


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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

(1) possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and
(2) be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
(3) be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization 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 the Department of Education website.

Additional information

The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Equal employment opportunity policy

More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

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.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation
Veterans Information: http://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility
requirements visit the following websites:


Reasonable Accommodation Requests: The National Gallery of Art provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. 

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 resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below: 

  • Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
  • Legal Research and Analysis
  • Written Communication
  • Advisory Services
  • Contracting
  • Policy Development

Category Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the three quality categories: The quality categories are defined as: Qualified (70-79.99), Well Qualified (80-89.99), or Best Qualified (90-100) 

Qualified Category = Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Critical Competencies defined below. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Critical Competencies defined below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

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.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of many," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year—with even more online—making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free. Every day, hundreds of employees—from electricians to data analysts, educators to carpenters—bring the nation’s art museum to life for all to enjoy.

Agency contact information

Staffing
Phone
202-842-6639
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
staffing@nga.gov
Address
National Gallery of Art
4th and Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, District of Columbia 20565
United States

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