Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, seeks enthusiastic individuals to serve taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS. To learn more, click the links below: IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site Meet Our People Learn about our Legal Divisions
To qualify for this position of Associate Chief Counsel (EEE), you must meet the following requirements: Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Desired Education/Experience: An LL.M. in Taxation is desired but not required. Seven (7) years of professional legal tax experience is desired. 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 managerial capability. The ideal candidate will have experience supervising many employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature is at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume that shows you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages. If selected for this position you will be required to address each ECQ during a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Written narratives for the ECQs are not required. Current and former career SES employees, and OPM Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates are exempt to address the ECQs. By statute, OPM prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to evaluate executive experience and not technical expertise. The following ECQs provide the focus for certification of executive core qualifications for initial appointment to the Senior Executive Service. Your two-page resume should show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications listed below: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Additional information and ECQ based resume samples are provided in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Results model outlined in the guide, to prepare for the structured interview. Written narratives for the ECQs are not required; however, applicants must be prepared to address each ECQs in a structured interview with the QRB. In addition to the ECQs, candidates must address Technical Qualifications (TQs). TQs are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their two-page resume, experience and accomplishments related to the TQs below: TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Demonstrate comprehensive, professional legal knowledge of and experience in at one or more of the following areas: (1) employee benefits; (2) exempt organizations; and (3) employment tax, and a general knowledge of the other two legal areas. Must have demonstrated experience in managing all aspects of a large-scale law program that involves substantial human and fiscal resources. Experience includes planning, directing, budgeting for, staffing, and evaluating such programs. Desirable: A thorough understanding of the operations and organization of the Internal Revenue Service and Office of Chief Counsel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
As a key member of the executive staff of the Office of Chief Counsel, the Associate Chief Counsel, Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes (EEE) is responsible for coordinating and directing all guidance activities related to EEE. The Associate Chief Counsel (EEE) provides legal advisory services that support uniform interpretation, application, enforcement, and litigation of tax laws involving employee plans, exempt organizations, and federal, state, local and Indian tribal governments, employment tax, executive compensation, and health and employee benefits; works closely with the applicable IRS Division Commissioners and other Associate and Division Counsel on program matters (e.g., identifying and prioritizing emerging issues, developing published guidance needs, and supporting tax administration programs); works closely with the Office of Chief Counsel, TEGE Division Counsel on legal issues related to litigation and program support; and provides strategic leadership and focus in the development and management of organizational activities, capital budgeting, and forecasting and financial management. As the Associate Chief Counsel (EEE), you will: Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Chief Counsel and other top- ranking IRS, and Treasury officials on matters involving exempt organizations, employment tax, and employee benefits, including qualified plans, IRAs, executive compensation, and employer provided health care (referred to collectively as "EEE issues"); publish public and technical guidance on these issues; and advise Division Counsels on the direction and oversight of the Counsel-wide litigation program involving EEE issues; and represent IRS and Treasury on sensitive and controversial issues related to these areas. Advise the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel (Technical) concerning emerging issues and guidance needed for implementation of legislation involving EEE issues. Direct the preparation and review of proposed regulations and Treasury Decisions, assess public comments on proposed regulations, and manage the movement of regulations through the review process within the Office of Chief Counsel, the IRS and Treasury. Provide executive direction to staff engaged in drafting revenue rulings, revenue procedures, announcements, and news releases to be published for the guidance of taxpayers and IRS personnel; issue technical advice memoranda responding to questions raised by IRS examiners; issue private letter rulings and general information letters in response to requests from taxpayers; and prepare legal opinions for other Chief Counsel and IRS functions with respect to legal questions about EEE issues raised in litigation and IRS programs. Work with Treasury officials to coordinate recommendations for legislation that particularly affects EEE issues; direct IRS participation in this aspect of the legislative process, including the furnishing of advice and guidance with respect to the development of new or revised legislative proposals; oversee IRS participation with legislative staffs in the drafting of such legislation and committee reports; and provide technical and programmatic support in IRS implementation of legislation involving EEE areas. Guide the provision of legal advice and support as requested by Division Counsels with respect to the processing and review of non-docketed cases submitted for consideration. Coordinate with Division Counsels for consistency of legal positions with respect to legal advice and assistance rendered by Division Counsels to IRS personnel and other Chief Counsel personnel concerning EEE issues under examination in the audit of returns, or in the consideration of claims for refund. Develop and monitor performance measures and program goals for the provision of legal services and published guidance, and the implementation, compliance, and outreach initiatives on EEE issues. Direct and oversee the overall management of the EEE legal staff. In this regard provide continuing coordination, control, and direction of EEE operations to assure that Chief Counsel objectives, policies, procedures, and programs are implemented fully and effectively, including the development of programs and their evaluation in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, comprehensiveness, and timeliness. Provide direct leadership to the Deputies Associate Chief Counsel (EEE), the Branch Chiefs, and the entire EEE Offices. Assure the full range of personnel activities are properly and timely addressed as necessary. Perform other duties as assigned.