Assistant Legal Adviser

Summary

The Office of the Legal Adviser (L) provides legal advice and services to the Secretary of State and other senior officials, Department offices, diplomatic and consular posts abroad, and other U.S. government agencies on all legal matters, domestic and international, arising in the course of the Department's activities. The incumbent of this position will serve as an Assistant Legal Adviser and reports directly to a Deputy Legal Adviser.

Duties

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The Assistant Legal Adviser for Legislation and Foreign Assistance (L/LFA) provides legal advice and services on matters of particular importance to United States foreign policy interests. This includes providing advice on the legal implications of contemplated actions (frequently in international situations that present novel issues), including, for example, the consistency of the action with respect to domestic and international law and the practice of the Department and what consequences might result in relations with other nations.

Responsibilities of the Assistant Legal Adviser (L/LFA) include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides timely, effective, and expert legal advice for Department work, including with respect to interagency initiatives, related to: appropriations and authorization legislation and other legislative initiatives concerning Department of State appropriations and authorities, including proposals for legislation affecting Department of State activities and the development of budget requests for the Department of State; issues under domestic and international law in connection with the implementation of foreign assistance programs authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act, the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, and other legislation, including programs providing economic, military, humanitarian, law enforcement, peacekeeping, health, and migration and refugee assistance; and arrangements with foreign countries, international organizations, and other U.S. departments and agencies regarding the provision of foreign assistance.
• Assists in drafting laws, regulations, procedures, and agreements related to the office's areas of practice.
• Directs and supervises the work of approximately 8-9 attorneys and other staff assigned to the office. Reviews their work products to ensure that accurate and timely advice and services are provided.
• Discharges office management and administrative responsibilities.
• Promotes the Department's human resources policies and encourages employee development through varied work assignments, continuing legal education, and other means.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Verification of Employment Eligibility in the United States is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Requires a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278.
• One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation.

This position is a drug-testing designated position subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's completion and favorable adjudication of a background security investigation. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for the this position submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually and upon termination of employment.

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.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B. or a J.D. degree at the time of application and submit proof of your degree with your application.

AND

• Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. You must submit proof of licensure with your application.

The application process to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. You must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications ( MTQs) related to this position withinyour resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Please submit your 2-page resume as an additional attachment. It is strongly recommended that you submit your 2-page resume in PDF format.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing ECQs or MTQs. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

YOUR RESUME (NOT TO EXCEED TWO PAGES) MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE OF YOUR ECQs :

ECQ 1 - Commitment to 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 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.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ)s:

IN ADDITION, YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ):

Your responses to the MTQ should be embedded/addressed within your resume not to exceed two pages.

MTQ 1

Demonstrated experience providing sound legal advice and representation involving the interpretation and application of public international law and domestic law to the foreign policy and management activities of large public or private organizations.

MTQ 2

Demonstrated experience providing sound legal advice and representation through effective written and oral counsel and advocacy on issues relating to U.S. foreign relations, including with respect to foreign states, international organizations, and the conduct of U.S. diplomacy.

NOTE: Your demonstrated leadership ability and the evidence of the ECQs and MTQs must be clearly shown in your resume. A separate narrative statement will not be accepted.

A sample 2-page resume that incorporates ECQs and MTQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17), "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications" and "Senior Executive Service Qualifications & Fundamental-Competencies".

YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IF YOU FAIL TO FULLY DEMONSTRATE EACH ECQ AND MTQ AND IF YOUR RESUME EXCEEDS TWO (2) PAGES.

Current or Former (within last 5 years) Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer 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, please indicate this in your resume. Serving in a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES appointment WILL NOT eliminate you from consideration.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at [redacted] or [redacted].

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of State requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartment Information clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.