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 Senior Level Counsel (SCE) 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. 7 years of professional legal tax experience is desired. To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position, candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Mandatory Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages. Written narratives for the Mandatory Technical Qualifications are not required. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Mandatory Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): All candidates must show evidence in their resume of the following mandatory technical competencies to meet basic qualifications for this position. Written narratives for the Mandatory Technical Qualifications are not required. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQS) Comprehensive in-depth expert knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, Federal tax statutes and regulations, decisions, rulings, precedents, and IRS tax policies. Demonstrated ability and experience providing legal advice and guidance on tax litigation and examination matters, assisting with formulation of compliance efforts, and litigation strategies, and overseeing tax litigation and examination matters. Demonstrated expert knowledge and substantial high-level experience in the tax field, including the tax legislation and guidance processes, tax litigation, or transactional work.
The Senior Level Counsel, Syndicated Conservation Easements (SCE), serves as a technical expert and trusted advisor to the Division Counsel, Deputy Division Counsels, and Associate Division Counsels within the Litigation and Advisory Division (L&A). The Senior Level Counsel provides high-level specialized advice and technical legal expertise to the Litigation & Advisory executive leadership team, in support of Syndicated Conservation Easement (SCE) work, and provides leadership on the full scope of coordinating and advising senior leadership on complex SCE cases toward efforts to deter abusive tax shelters (docketed and exam). The Senior Level Counsel (SCE) represents Counsel in matters with significant impact on tax administration, particularly efforts to thwart tax schemes associated with abusive SCE transactions, and acts as a consultant to the Division, to Counsel executives, and to IRS executives, on a variety of legal, technical, and tax matters with special emphasis on complex SCE cases; represents and acts for the Division Counsel, Deputy Division Counsels, or Associate Division Counsels in a close and confidential capacity and serves as a technical expert and senior advisor on a broad array of activities designed to fulfill Counsel's responsibilities to provide legal support to the IRS. The Senior Level (SCE) serves as Counsel's liaison with the IRS and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) on efforts to deter abusive tax shelters with an emphasis in SCE transactions, and in the coordination and development of high-impact public and private tax guidance. Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Acts as a legal and technical expert to Division, Counsel, and IRS senior executives on the most difficult, important, and complex professional legal matters arising in the administration of the internal revenue laws. Manages complex and significant special projects and programs as a subject matter expert. Selects and reviews proposals, monitors work group needs and progress, and facilitates and expedites recommendations regarding these matters through the decision-making process. Performs exhaustive and detailed research on complicated legal problems and prepares recommendations as to the position to be taken by the Division, Counsel, and IRS. Serves as a primary contact and Counsel expert in SCE matters. Serves as primary liaison to Division and Associate Chief Counsel offices in the coordination and direction of activities to support IRS needs and objectives. Coordinates the participation of Counsel in the development of high-level reports and studies for use by the IRS, Treasury, or Congress. As requested, assists in the preparation and drafting of testimony for Congressional hearings and prepares responses to ad hoc requests from Congress and related government agencies. Reviews and advises on the impact of pending litigation, proposed legislation, or public guidance and legal issues facing the IRS. Represents Division senior executives at top-level Counsel, IRS, and Treasury meetings and conferences and in meetings with executives from other agencies where policy is developed and determined. As the Division's technical expert, makes presentations on technical and procedural matters to Counsel staff, IRS staff, and outside bar organizations to enhance their knowledge and understanding of Counsel's role in providing legal support and to improve coordination within Counsel and with IRS. Works with appropriate Counsel personnel to plan and deliver such training. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned or delegated by the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsels, Division Counsel, Deputy Division Counsels, or Associate Division Counsel.