Summary The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is an independent office of the Small Business Administration (SBA), established in 1983 to provide an independent, quasi-judicial appeal of certain SBA program decisions. The Assistant Administrator for Hearings and Appeals (AA/OHA), who reports directly to the Administrator, plans, coordinates and directs the activities of OHA which is responsible for providing prompt and fair adjudication of disputes arising from SBA and other Federal agency decisions. Responsibilities Responsible for the day-to-day management and supervision of operations of OHA. Directs the Agency's independent adjudicatory process which includes appeals in over 20 jurisdiction areas, including but not limited to: Appeals from formal size determinations in connection with Federal contracts set-aside for small businesses and other programs Appeals from Contracting Officer designations of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for procurements government-wide Appeals from 8(a) program eligibility, suspension, and termination decision Appeals from Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) protest determinations Disputes between SBA employees and managers Petitions for Reconsideration of revised, modified or established size standards Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) status appeals Protests of eligibility for inclusion in SBA's Veteran Certification Database Appeals of denials and cancellations of verification for inclusion in SBA's Veteran's Certification Database Appeals from initial FOI/PA requests. Directs the conduct of hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, as modified by regulation, to comply with due process requirements when full APA procedures are not required by law. Makes Agency final decisions or initial decisions constituting recommendations to the deciding official. Such decisions or recommendations involve the resolution of complex matters of fact and law which require familiarity with the relevant substantive fields of law. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: 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 - 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: Project/Program Oversight: Demonstrated knowledge and experience overseeing a quasi-judicial or legal program focused on small business finance matters (e.g., grants, contracts, loans, or similar programs). Ensuring timely case processing, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and alignment with agency policy while managing risk and maintaining program integrity. TQ 2: Staff Oversight: Demonstrated success in directing and leading senior management and legal staff within a complex organization, ensuring regulatory compliance, procedural consistency, and operational efficiency. 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. Current and active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and eligible to practice law. 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 Additional Information Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. 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. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Executive.Resources@sba.gov. 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.
