The HHS Office of the General Counsel seeks a senior legal executive to serve as Associate General Counsel for the CMS Division. The AGC leads one of OGC's largest divisions, directing legal strategy for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, ACA programs, Medicare Advantage, managed care, Innovation Center models, insurance market reforms, Health Benefit Exchanges and drug pricing. The role partners closely with the CMS Administrator, the HHS Secretary, and senior leadership to shape national health policy.
Duties
This position is the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division (CMSD) in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). It is a rare opportunity to serve as the lead attorney for the CMS Division, directing legal strategy for programs that shape health coverage, affordability, and innovation across the nation. The Associate General Counsel (AGC) for CMSD provides executive-level legal leadership for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), programs that collectively affect hundreds of millions of people and anchor the U.S. health care system. The role oversees the legal architecture for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, CMS Innovation Center models, drug price negotiation and rebate programs, Quality Improvement Organizations, and other high-impact initiatives at the forefront of national health policy. This position also leads legal oversight of the federal private health insurance markets, including Health Benefit Exchanges, ACA market reforms, and consumer surprise billing protections, placing the AGC at the intersection of public programs, private markets, and consumer protection. As chief of the CMS Division, the incumbent has full executive and managerial authority over one of OGC's most complex and visible divisions, setting strategy, leading and developing a high-performing legal workforce, and ensuring trusted legal counsel to CMS and HHS leadership. The role demands vision, decisiveness, and the ability to lead through complexity and change. The AGC operates with significant independence and influence, reporting to the Deputy General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for CMS and working directly with CMS leadership, the General Counsel, the Secretary of HHS, and counterparts across the federal government. This position is ideal for a senior legal leader seeking to operate at the highest levels of government, lead at scale, and have a lasting impact on the future of U.S. healthcare.
Salary
Qualifications
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. 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. TQ 1: Demonstrated leadership experience, initiative, decision making and sound knowledge of policies, regulations and legislation that governs the DHHS legal advice and services for CMSD programs, including but not limited to all activities related to the interpretation, application, and enforcement of the laws, rules, and regulations by the OGC. TQ 2: Demonstrated executive, managerial and diplomacy skills to work effectively and closely with multilateral organizations, to frequently represent and speak to the Secretary and with the Department of Justice, other DHHS departments, Federal agencies, and other stakeholders in the planning and formulation of the legal strategy and tactics and in the development of substantive issues, technical accuracy and completeness, and legal sufficiency of all matters related to and arising under the laws, rules, and regulations administered by the CMSD and OGC. TQ 3: Demonstrated leadership experience directing an effective cadre of lawyers and supporting personnel, setting appropriate priorities, and ensuring that the organization meets clients' needs, adhering to the highest ethical standards of public service. 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.
Education
Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree. and Licensure Applicants must be licensed and authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining "active" status to practice law. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States where the licensing authority considers "good standing" as having a current license to practice law. 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.
Required Documents
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. 2. COVER LETTER. All applicants are required to submit a cover letter that is no more than one page. Copy of unofficial law school transcripts. Copy of license to practice law. 3. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy. 4. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification. CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation
How to Apply
You must submit the complete online application and documentation specified in the Required Documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the CLOSING DATE 02/17/2026 of this announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.
