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Associate General Counsel for (CMSD)

Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Office of General Counsel (Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services Division)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department's programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization's various agencies and divisions.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/04/2025 to 09/20/2025
Salary
$150,160 to - $225,700 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
Confidential
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
HHS-OGC-ES-25-12794276
Control number
844938600

Duties

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This position is located in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS or the Department) Office of the General Counsel, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division (CMSD), serving as the senior legal officer for the Department's extensive programs of assistance in the Medicaid and Medicare areas, including the Medicaid (Title XIX), Medicare (Title XVIII), the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (Title XXI), and any new legislative proposals regarding these areas, as well as Quality Improvement Organizations, CMS Innovation Center Models, drug price negotiation and rebate programs, Medicare Advantage Organizations, and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, as well as the federal private insurance market reforms and consumer surprise billing protections (Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act) and Health Benefit Exchanges.

The AGC for CMSD is also responsible for advising the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC), including on health information exchange-related areas, information blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program. Provides executive leadership, oversight and direction for the management of the Division. Incumbent works under the general direction of the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsels and coordinates closely with the Administrator, CMSD. Due to the wide range and scope of the responsibilities of the Division, incumbent exercises considerable independence, often dealing directly with the General Counsel, the Secretary, the Administrator, the Inspector General, the most senior officials of the Department and analogous Federal, State, and international agencies and entities.

As chief of this Division, the executive is responsible for the overall planning, organization, and formulation of policy and procedures of the Division including selection, assignment, development, and utilization of professional and administrative staff. Coordinates work where problems and issues transcend more than one Branch of the Division or involve other Divisions of the Office of the General Counsel. Reviews regulations and interpretations for consistency and equalizes workloads among staff attorneys.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • 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.
  • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • 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.
  • You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
  • Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree
  • Active Membership or admission to the bar is 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).

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

TQ 1: Demonstrated leadership experience, initiative, decision making and sound knowledge of policies, regulations and legislation that governs the DHHS legal advice and services for CMSD programs, including but not limited to all activities related to the interpretation, application, and enforcement of the laws, rules, and regulations by the OGC.

TQ 2: Demonstrated executive, managerial and diplomacy skills to work effectively and closely with multilateral organizations, to frequently represent and speak to the Secretary and with the Department of Justice, other DHHS departments, Federal agencies, and other stakeholders in the planning and formulation of the legal strategy and tactics and in the development of substantive issues, technical accuracy and completeness, and legal sufficiency of all matters related to and arising under the laws, rules, and regulations administered by the CMSD and OGC.

TQ 3: Demonstrated leadership experience directing an effective cadre of lawyers and supporting personnel, setting appropriate priorities, and ensuring that the organization meets clients' needs, adhering to the highest ethical standards of public service.

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.








Education

Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree.

and

Licensure

Applicants must be licensed and authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining "active" status to practice law. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States where the licensing authority considers "good standing" as having a current license to practice law.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.

Additional information

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Mobility:

Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement

Preferred Experience:

Prior supervisory experience required; Prior experience of 10+ years with CMS or HHS programs preferred.

Salary:

Salary for Senior Executive Service positions varies depending on qualifications. The annual salary range may be found at the top of this announcement. This position may be eligible for performance bonuses and performance-based pay adjustments.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure

HHS inspires public confidence by maintaining high ethical principles, and all Federal Government employees are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

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

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center:
https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

If applying online poses a hardship to you, you may submit your application by contacting. Gregory T. Stewart in the agency contact section.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Veteran's Preference

Veteran's Preference does not apply to the SES.

Selective Service

Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from selective service see: https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx


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.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable). Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information required within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the ECQs and TQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration.

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 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, 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/.

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