This position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC. The incumbent leads legal operations across five district offices and works independently under the general oversight of the Deputy General Counsel. The role involves supervising senior legal executives and coordinating legal services in areas such as personnel law and tort claims, with frequent engagement on matters of national legal significance.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ1: Coordinate all legal work associated with the representation of an organization's efforts across assigned subject-matter areas and cooperate with other Government agencies, including the Department of Justice. TQ2: Plan, direct, and supervise the legal work of professional staff delivering timely and accurate legal, legislative, and litigation services to Congress and senior Department officials. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: 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. 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. 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 Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
The Associate General Counsel (Legal Operations) duties include, but are not limited to the following; 1. Supervises, through Senior Executives, the following OGC offices: North Atlantic District; Southeast District; Midwest District; Continental District; and Pacific District. 2. These Groups advise and provide representation to the three DVA Administrations regarding the creation, implementation, and operation of programs and policies affecting all of DVA and the Veterans it serves. 3. Provides legal advice and counsel to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and other senior officials of the Department and represents them and the departmental interests in Federal and state courts and proceedings before administrative tribunals. 4. In the assigned areas of responsibility, leads legal operations and support regarding OGC program initiatives, policies, procedures, and directives for consistency with State and Federal law, and recommends and advises on new regional or departmental policies and procedures in response to new or amended legislations involving the Department. 5. Provides advice and representation concerning DVA's legal services in the areas of business management activities and administrative operations throughout the Districts including personnel law cases, and tort claims by and against the Department within the Districts. 6. Provides advice and representation, and maintains collaboration with the Associate General Counsels, Contracts, Information & Fiscal in matters relating to real property for VA, easements and other encumbrances affecting real property.