of counsel Washington, DC
Job description
Duties
The General Counsel has a critical role in ensuring the National Endowment for the Arts is a national resource and realizes its mission through its many assets including grantmaking, research, and strategic partnerships, among other functions and assets. If selected, you will serve as a core member of the agency executive leadership team as a primary advisor to the Chair, the National Council on the Arts (NCA) and Executive management.
Duties include:
- Monitors, researches, and interprets legislation, regulations, court decisions, contracts, grant and cooperative agreements, trademark, technology use, privacy, interagency agreements, and other official documents reflecting or affecting the policies of the Arts Endowment. Analyzes impact and determines to what extent Endowment policies are affected. Prepares recommendations, for use by Chair and senior leadership, that enables innovative and responsible decision making in arriving at the agency's position regarding such issues.
- Participates in the development of agency policy and advises the Chair, NCA, and executive management on a broad spectrum of policy and procedural proposals in terms of legal requirements in areas such as appropriations law, grant operations, information technology, records management, agency reporting and disclosures, contract management, employee relations and public-private partnerships. Interprets and applies new legislation to existing policies and procedures, modifying and/or extending them as necessary.
- Serves as agency expert on all legal matters relating to Civil Rights, EEO, employment, conflict of interest/standards of conduct laws and regulations. Works with the Chair, the Department of Justice, and others as necessary, in any matters involving potential or actual litigation.
- Responsible for agency ethics and Freedom of Information Act training, reviews reporting, and informational requests.
- Engages with other federal agencies on government operational matters and with private entities and foundations due to the agency's statutory authorities in some areas. Leads agency discussions during interactions with counsel of state and local governments, and grant recipients on critical programmatic matters.
- Directs the General Counsel office, ensuring sound and efficient operations that result in a high level of internal and external customer service.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation (Confidential Security Clearance)
- This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit
- All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
- Selected candidate will be subject to a one-year probationary period in the Senior Executive Service unless required probationary period has previously been served.
- Selected candidate is required to file a SF-278, Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days after his/her appointment, in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
- You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date.
- If you are a GS-15 and tentatively selected for appointment to this SES position, your ECQs must be approved by OPM.
Qualifications
The Senior Executive Service (SES) is comprised of men and women charged with leading the continuing transformation of government. These leaders possess well-honed executive skills, share a broad perspective of government, and a public service commitment. In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the Law Licensing Requirement, Education Requirement, Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ's), and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) shown below:
Law License
You must have a current license to practice law from at least one state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or U.S. territory, and be able to demonstrate that in a least one state or jurisdiction in which you are licensed you are permitted to engage in the active practice of law. Active status must be maintained in at least one state or jurisdiction during the course of employment. Applicants are not required to provide an official certificate demonstrating this active status, but must provide such a certificate to the selecting official if selected. You must indicate on the questionnaire that you have this law license, or you will be rated ineligible and receive no further consideration.
Education Requirement
You must be a graduate of law school. A copy of a law school transcript is required as proof that you meet the educational requirement for this position (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Failure to provide a copy of your transcript for this announcement will result in a rating of "ineligible." You must also indicate on the questionnaire that you have this law license, or you will be rated ineligible and receive no further consideration.
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)
All applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following MTQs. You must address each MTQ separately. Each MTQ narrative must not exceed two (2) pages. Please give examples and explain the complexity of the knowledge possessed and the sensitivity of the issues you handled.
1. Demonstrated leadership experience in overseeing an office that provides legal advice to an agency head and executive management on a broad spectrum of policy and procedural proposals in areas such appropriations law, grant operations, information technology, records management, agency reporting and disclosures, Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, ethics, contract management, employee relations and public-private partnerships.
2. Demonstrated experience in monitoring, researching, and interpreting legislation, regulations and court decisions and applying statutes and administrative regulations to advise on legal implications of proposed actions this requires superior writing and oral communications.
3. Demonstrated experience working in partnership with executive management to respond to emerging priorities or changes in context that require the revision of existing or the development and implementation of new policy and programs to ensure the agency can continue to meet mission. This includes sound analysis, high creativity, strategic thinking and superior leadership skills.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's):
Below are descriptions of the ECQs that must be clearly described in your application. (Please Note: If you are a current career SES member, former career SES member with reinstatement eligibility, or SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduate who has been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you do NOT need to address the ECQs, but MUST provide a copy of either your SF-50 or CDP certification, or you will be rated ineligible).
The ECQs describe the leadership skills needed to succeed in the Senior Executive Service (SES) and are in addition to the specific mandatory technical qualifications. Applicants are encouraged to visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/handbook.html and view the office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Guide to Senior Executive Qualifications. Please use the Challenge, Context, Action, Results, (CCAR) formulate suggested in the OPM guidance. Please review these qualifications and then follow the instructions in how to apply. Section of this vacancy announcement. Your response must be limited to two pages for each ECQ.
ECQ 1 - Leading Change: involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, and Vision.
ECQ 2 - Leading People: involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, and Team Building.
ECQ 3 - Results Driven: involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, and Technical Credibility.
ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, and Technology Management.
ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, and Influencing/Negotiating.
Fundamental Competencies: These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the ECQ's. Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.
An SES reviewing panel will evaluate your application based on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Applicants determined to be highly qualified may undergo an interview and a reference check. If selected, you must be certified by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB), unless you are a current SES executive or have successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program. You must receive certification before you can be appointed to the position.
You must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each ECQ.
Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program
accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. You should limit your narrative to two pages per ECQ.
Effective January 1 2010, 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 Non-Career SES employee in the executive branch you MUST disclose that information to the Human Resources Office.
Education
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.htm
Additional information
If you are unable to apply online contact [email protected].
Applying online, through your USAJOBS account, will expedite the application process and allow you to check your application status as well as verify the documentation submitted with your application. If you utilize the Alternate Application method, your USAJOBS account will not display this application and you will not receive status updates.
Benefits
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Experience and demonstrated capability will be evaluated using your resume and narrative statements for competencies underlying the ECQs, MTQs, and responses to the online questionnaire. Applicants will be evaluated in the following manner:
Your application package will be reviewed for completeness (Resume, separate narrative-form documents that address the ECQs, MTQs, and SF-50, CDP certification, if applicable. Incomplete or late packages will not receive further consideration).
If you have completed a complete application, you will be referred to the agency for further consideration. If you are referred to the agency, your supplemental MTQ document will be reviewed, and if found eligible, your supplemental ECQ document will be reviewed to determine your rating. Each ECQ must be addressed in supplemental narrative statements in your application package. Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. In addition, your responses should highlight your experience, training, and achievements in conjunction with the resume that you provide.
An SES reviewing panel will evaluate your application based on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Applicants determined to be highly qualified may undergo an interview and a reference check. If selected, you must be certified by an OPM QRB, unless you are a current SES executive or have successfully participated in an OPM approved SES CDP. You must receive certification before you can be appointed to the position.
Benefits
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
1. A complete Resume (which includes hours worked, starting/ending dates (month and year), and if Federal employment - series, pay plan and grade).
2. A complete Online Questionnaire
3. A copy of a law school transcript is required as proof that you meet the educational requirement for this position (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Failure to provide a copy of your transcript for this announcement will result in a rating of "ineligible."
4. Mandatory Technical Requirements (MTQs) document.
5. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) document.
If applying for non-competitive appointment:
6. SF-50, showing you are a current or former member of the SES, if applicable.
7. Proof of OPM QRB certification (for OPM-approved SES CDP graduates), if applicable.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/19/2023 to receive consideration. Failure to submit a complete application package will result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
- You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
- You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
- To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application.
- Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form click here Alternate ApplicationAgency contact information
Philadelphia Services Branch
Email
Address
Office of the General Counsel
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
USNext steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Qualified candidates will be referred to the SES reviewing panel for further consideration and possible interview.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
1. A complete Resume (which includes hours worked, starting/ending dates (month and year), and if Federal employment - series, pay plan and grade).
2. A complete Online Questionnaire
3. A copy of a law school transcript is required as proof that you meet the educational requirement for this position (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Failure to provide a copy of your transcript for this announcement will result in a rating of "ineligible."
4. Mandatory Technical Requirements (MTQs) document.
5. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) document.
If applying for non-competitive appointment:
6. SF-50, showing you are a current or former member of the SES, if applicable.
7. Proof of OPM QRB certification (for OPM-approved SES CDP graduates), if applicable.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
Senior executives
Those who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens, and those currently serving in SES career appointments, eligible for reinstatement to the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Federal Candidate Development Program (CDP).
About National Endowment for the Arts
Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable
Size: 51 to 200 Employees
Type: Government
Website: www.arts.gov
Year Founded: 1965
