Special Counsel

Summary

The Office of Legal Counsel provides legal advice to the President and all executive branch agencies. The Office drafts legal opinions of the Attorney General and provides its own written opinions and other advice in response to requests from the Counsel to the President, the various agencies of the Executive Branch, and other components of the Department of Justice. The Office is also responsible for reviewing and commenting on the constitutionality of pending legislation.

Duties

• This Senior Executive Service (SES) position is located in the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) headquartered in Washington D.C. As Special Counsel, the incumbent provides legal advice and staff assistance to the Assistant Attorney General and has responsibility for handling a number of matters of ongoing concern to the Office, as well as special projects, subject to the general direction of the Assistant Attorney General. Specifically, the incumbent will: Prepare formal written legal opinions for the signature of the Assistant Attorney General and as requested by the Assistant Attorney General, and under his direction, provide informal legal advice to other components of the Department and to other executive agencies. Assist the Assistant Attorney General in supervising the Office's counseling function in specific areas as assigned and advise the Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Assistant Attorneys General on legal issues within assigned areas of responsibility. Review executive orders, presidential proclamations, and Attorney General orders for form and legality, including ensuring documents do not pose constitutional, statutory, or other legal problems. Participate in the supervision and management of the Office's practice involving executive orders, presidential proclamations, and Attorney General orders and communicate with the White House Counsel's Office, the Office of Management and Budget, senior leadership of the Department, and other officials with respect to these matters. Advise on legal issues regarding appointments and removals, acting officers, delegations, and related matters. Provide supervisory assistance to Attorney-Advisers and review their written work, as assigned by the Assistant Attorney General. Represent the Office at conferences and meetings within and outside the Department, as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment: You must be a United States Citizen or National. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position. You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed. You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

Education

DOJ requires for Applicants to attorney positions must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes.