Summary The Chief Counsel is the principal legal authority within the U.S. Secret Service and has responsibility for legal policy and determinations and the delivery of legal services. Responsibilities As Chief Counsel, you will serve as the agency's primary legal advisor. In this role, you will plan, direct, and coordinate the Office of the Chief Counsel's delivery of legal services, advice, and representation. Specifically, you will: Direct and oversee all agency legal functions. This includes providing advice and representation to the Secret Service concerning its law enforcement mission and business processes. Render advice on complex legal issues concerning constitutional law, arrests, search and seizure, ethics, fiscal law, privacy, torts, civil rights, personnel and employment law, information disclosure, and civil and criminal discovery. Oversee the review and analysis of legislation, regulations, case decisions, and policies that may affect the agency. Provide oversight and review of the agency's litigation support activities, including the preparation of litigation reports, motions, and making recommendations on the settlement and compromise of claims in connection with legal proceedings involving the Secret Service or its employees. Oversee the day-to-day management of the office, as well as training, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and providing legal and policy guidance to office attorneys. This includes overseeing hiring activities and managing the office's budget and resources. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Subject to a 1-year SES 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. Subject to a drug test prior to appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with https://www.sss.gov/verify/ or are exempt from having to do so. Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, 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) 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. Please limit your resume to no more than 2-pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over 2-pages. 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 ECQs or the TQs. Only the required 2-page resume will be considered. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ-1: Comprehensive knowledge and extensive executive level experience interpreting laws and providing legal advice concerning federal laws, to include the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution; personnel and employment law, including laws regarding employee misconduct and discipline; equal employment opportunity and civil rights laws; fiscal law; ethics; procurement; the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act; congressional and oversight entity response and compliance; and legislative and policy drafting and review. TQ-2: Executive level experience in managing and overseeing a substantial legal office within a federal agency, law firm, or other organization. Candidates should have skill in directing, planning, and supervising work within legal practice areas and managing an office's budget and resources, evaluating the professional development and performance of attorneys, paralegals, and other legal staff, and the development and implementation of office and agency objectives, authorities and programs. TQ-3: Executive level experience providing advice when overseeing legal matters of substantial impact, sensitivity, and complexity, communicating clearly and concisely, and working within a matrixed organization. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQ): In addition to the TQ requirements listed above, all new entrants into the 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 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), 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. Desired Qualification: At least 10 years of general legal and management experience is preferred. Education Applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the U.S., the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Additional Information Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Background Investigation: You must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation in order to obtain a Top-Secret Clearance as a condition of placement in this position. 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. Drug Testing: You must submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to 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. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. To review terms found in this announcement click here. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to Equal.Opportunity@usss.dhs.gov. Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan' Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
