Duties

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As the IC OIG's chief legal advisor, the Counsel to the Intelligence Community Inspector General (IC IG) leads the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), which provides expert legal counsel across four critical areas: Legal Counsel, Audits & Inspections, Investigations & Intake, and Strategy & Support.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape IC oversight while addressing some of the nation's most complex legal and policy challenges. Duties include but are not limited to:

Provide independent, expert legal and policy counsel to the IC IG and senior leadership on complex, novel, and high-priority matters affecting IC oversight responsibilities, and render definitive legal opinions and guidance on issues involving statutes, Presidential directives, Executive Orders, and IC policies.

Manage OLC's strategic approach to supporting the IC IG's statutory mission of promoting economy, effectiveness, and efficiency while preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement.

Lead and manage OLC staff, establishing clear policies, practices, and strategic performance objectives, and conducting performance evaluations and provide regular feedback to ensure staff growth and excellence.

Provide comprehensive legal guidance supporting the IC IG's authority to audit, investigate, inspect, and review programs within the DNI's responsibility, including matters involving criminal and administrative procedures, fraud, appropriations, procurement, ethics, and employee conduct.

Review and ensure legal sufficiency of all documents requiring IC IG approval or concurrence.

Chair the IC IG Council of Counsels Forum to establish effective relationships among IC Inspector General legal counsels and promote collaborative oversight efforts.

Coordinate with congressional intelligence committees on legal matters and develop strategic partnerships across Intelligence Community elements to enhance oversight effectiveness.

Create and sustain partnerships with other IC elements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
• You must be willing to move to the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA).
• You must successfully complete a medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.

PROBATIONARY & TRIAL PERIODS

Employees newly appointed to the Senior National Intelligence Service (SNIS) are subject to a twelve (12)-month probationary period to assess their ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at a level of excellence expected of a senior executive. For permanent employees newly hired into the ODNI, the probationary period will run concurrently with the first twelve (12) months of a new employee's two (2)-year trial period.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) in your resume. Please see qualification section.

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. Responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. Submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Qualifications

This is an expected service Senior level (SES/SNIS) position open to the public and all current federal employees at the Senior level and one level below. Current federal employees at the Senior level (SES/SNIS) and one level below may apply to this position, and if selected will maintain pay set at their current grade and step. Current federal employees at grade levels GS-14 and below are not eligible for this position and their application will not be forwarded to the hiring manager. All current federal employees that apply for this position must submit their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personal Action (i.e. dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement) to verify their status of eligibility.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed below in your resume. RESUMES MUST NOT EXCEED TWO (2) PAGES. Resumes over the two (2)-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, educations, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. For more information regarding ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page on the OPM website.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and 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.

ISCOCQ: Leading the Intelligence Enterprise

This core qualification involves the ability to integrate resources, information, interests, and activities effectively in support of the Intelligence Community's mission and to lead and leverage cross-organizational collaborative networks to achieve significant mission results. Inherent to this senior officer qualification is a deep understanding of the intelligence enterprise and a shared commitment to the IC's core values.

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 Qualification Review Board (QRB)) or your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Displayed expertise in at least two of the following practice areas:

1. Inspector General Operations

2. Intelligence Oversight

3. Litigation

4. Investigations

5. Civil Liberties and Privacy

6. Personnel and Ethics

7. Acquisition and Fiscal Oversight

Superior communication skills including the ability to routinely communicate, orally and in writing, complex concepts and issues in a manner appropriate to the audience, and to consistently make sound, timely decisions in complex, ambiguous or ill-defined situations.

Exceptional interpersonal, leadership and managerial capabilities, including the ability to effectively direct taskings, supervise and lead a diverse team of legal professionals, assess and manage performance measurements, support personal and professional development of all levels of personnel, effectively collaborate with staff at all levels, maintain confidentiality, promote and uphold integrity standards, and adhere to the highest discretionary standards.

Expert ability to lead by example and exemplify IC OIG core values of Integrity, Fortitude, and Excellence.

Education: Completion of a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, and active membership of the Bar of the highest court of a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Additional information

Reemployed Annuitants: Individuals who are already receiving an annuity based on their previous civilian employment with the Federal government are subject to the guidelines set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as outlined in 5 CFR Part 553, regarding the reemployment of annuitants.

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL: Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.

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.