Chief Counsel

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must clearly articulate and describe within your two (2) page resume evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity.

Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.

Your resume must demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to fulfill executive responsibilities typically required in SES positions, including: Directing the work of an organizational unit; Accountability for the success of one or more specific programs or projects; Monitoring progress toward organizational goals and periodically evaluates and makes appropriate adjustments to such goals;; Supervising the work of employees (other than personal assistants) at least 25% of the time; or Exercising important policy-making, policy-determining, or other executive functions Your resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of this position and meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Your resume must also clearly demonstrate your ability to meet the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs). If you fail to do so, your application will be rated ineligible.

If you are currently serving under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period) or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and been certified by OPM, your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES, eligible for reinstatement, or SES CDP certified and year of certification.

You should ensure your qualifications are clearly outlined in your two-page resume. Separate narratives addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and/or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) will not be accepted. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ): Below are the descriptions of the mandatory technical qualifications for this position.

Your two-page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet these technical qualifications. MTQ 1: Demonstrated expertise providing authoritative legal advice to senior officials on complex Federal statutory, regulatory, and administrative law matters.

Experience must include interpreting laws and regulations, developing legal opinions or rulings, and drafting or reviewing legislation, regulations, or other legally significant policy instruments. MTQ 2: Demonstrated experience handling complex Federal procurement, contract, litigation, and claims matters.

Experience must include advising on contract interpretation or negotiations, resolving procurement-related disputes or appeals, supporting Federal litigation, or evaluating the legal sufficiency and settlement of claims involving government operations. MTQ 3: Demonstrated ability to lead a legal office and provide independent, strategic counsel to senior executives on a broad range of operational and administrative legal matters.

Experience must include directing and managing professional legal staff and advising on matters such as labor-management relations, personnel administration, real property, or proceedings before Federal administrative bodies. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQ): Below are descriptions of the mandatory ECQs that are required for all SES positions. Your two-page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet all five of the ECQs.

ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: 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. Leadership Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness.

ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Leadership Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology. ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

Leadership Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience. ECQ 4 - Leading People: 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. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement.

ECQ 5 - Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Leadership Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking. FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.

Additional information about the SES and ECQs can be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) SES Website: Executive Core Qualifications.

As Chief Counsel, you will: Direct an office responsible for advice and counsel concerning all aspects of the Bureau's operations, such as interpreting statutes and regulations and providing advice pertaining to all activities of the Bureau, including the procurement of supplies and services; Freedom of Information and Privacy Act matters; the Federal Tort Claims Act; and all employment-related matters.

Interpret the statutes and regulations that concern the operations of the Bureau and prepare or direct preparation of legal opinions and memoranda with regard to these operations. Oversee the defense of employment and labor-related matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Federal Labor Relations Authority and labor arbitrators, and support the Bureau's negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.

Oversee the defense of appeals connected with the Bureau's procurement activities before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and procurement protests before the Government Accountability Office. Assist the Department of Justice in the trial of civil actions before the U.S. Court of Claims and other Federal Courts involving the activities of the Bureau.

Regularly confer with the key officials of the Bureau and advise such officials on the legal aspects of all matters arising within the administration of the Bureau, including currency design, labor-management relations, procurement, real property issues, and personnel administration.