Division Counsel (TEGEDC)

The 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

Duties

As a key member the executive staff of the Office of Chief Counsel, the Division Counsel for Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TEGE) Division Counsel, provides legal services for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. The Division Counsel assists the TE/GE and SB/SE executive leadership team by providing legal advice and in determining strategies, plans, and designs for a comprehensive and customer-oriented tax administration program to achieve taxpayer service and compliance goals; works closely with the TE/GE Division Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner; the SB/SE Director of Headquarters Examination; the SB/SE Director of Specialty Examination - Field; the Associate Chief Counsel, Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes (ACC-EEE); and other Division Counsel and Associate Chief Counsel on program matters, including legal tax issues relating to employee benefit programs (including qualified retirement plans, deferred compensation arrangements, and health and welfare programs), executive compensation, exempt organizations, federal, state, local and Indian tribal governments, tax exempt bonds, and employment tax (referred to collectively as "TEGE issues") and directs the Counsel-wide litigation program with respect to these issues. The Division Counsel provides strategic leadership and focus on the development and management of organizational activities, and financial management and forecasting.

MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Serves as a senior legal advisor in collaboration with the ACC-EEE, to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, TE/GE Division Commissioner, other Division Commissioners, the SB/SE Director of Headquarters Examination, the SB/SE Director of Specialty Examination - Field, the Chief Counsel, and other senior IRS and Treasury officials on TEGE issues. Represents these officials on sensitive and controversial legal matters related to these issues.
• Formulates and directs programs and policies with respect to litigation of TEGE issues, making determinations as to which of such cases should be tried, settled, and conceded. Assures IRS-wide consistency of approach in tax litigation; consults with the ACC-EEE as to the defense or settlement of TEGE Division Counsel cases; reviews and coordinates pleadings, briefs, settlement documents, and other materials prepared in connection with U.S. Tax Court litigation involving TEGE Division Counsel. Consults with the ACC-EEE regarding recommendations of acquiescence and nonacquiescence or appeals of adverse decisions and orders, regarding offers in compromise, or settlement in cases pending on appeal, and regarding ACC-EEE recommendations to the Chief Counsel with respect to requests for certiorari.
• Works closely with the TE/GE Division Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, the SB/SE Director of Headquarters Examination, and the SB/SE Director of Specialty Examination - Field, to formulate short- and long-range program policies, strategies, and objectives for the TE/GE Division and the SB/SE Division with respect to TEGE issues, in consultation with the ACC-EEE as appropriate. Participates in the design and development of integrated policies, programs, systems, and strategies to ensure fairness and accountability in the delivery of superior customer service to taxpayers.
• Coordinates litigation strategy and positions on TEGE issues with appropriate officials throughout the TE/GE Division, SB/SE, other Division Counsel offices, and ACC-EEE offices. Reviews and exercises independent judgment with respect to questions concerning litigation and/or settlement of issues and cases.
• Responsible for the structure and implementation of an effective communication and coordination network regarding docketed large cases and related non-docketed matters.
• Exercises ongoing responsibility for the overall management of TEGE Division Counsel attorneys who are geographically dispersed across the nation. Through subordinate managers and attorneys, represents the government in the U.S. Tax Court and provides quality legal advice to TE/GE and SB/SE field personnel.
• Provides executive leadership and direction to TEGE Division Counsel attorneys through subordinate managers. Functional responsibilities include program planning and field operations. Delegates sufficient authority and provides a supportive environment for subordinates to manage their resources effectively and seek continuous improvement through creativity and innovation. Directs and oversees the overall management of the TEGE Division Counsel legal staff. In this regard, provides continuing coordination, control, and direction of TEGE Division Counsel field 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.

Salary

• $150,160 - $225,700/year

Conditions of Employment

• Refer to "Additional Information"
• Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Qualifications

To qualify for this position of Division Counsel (TEGEDC) 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 no longer 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:

1. Leading Change - Ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
2. Leading People - Ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Ability to provide a workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
3. Results Driven - Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
4. Business Acumen - Ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
5. Building Coalitions - Ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

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):

1. Position requires strong direct or indirect knowledge of, or experience with, tax litigation and dispute resolution. Position requires comprehensive, professional knowledge of, and experience in, applying tax laws affecting TEGE issues.
2. 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:

1. 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.

Education For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Other Information

• Relocation expenses may be authorized if eligible.
• This is a Non-Bargaining unit position.
• We offer opportunities for telework.
• We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
• The salary range indicated in this announcement covers multiple locality areas. Your salary will be adjusted based on the post of duty for which you are selected.

Conditions of Employment Continued:

• Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed).
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
• Public Trust (85PS) Background Investigation required
• Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Undergo an income tax verification.
• The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns.
• This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time.
  
  There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
• Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
• FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
• SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"

Required Documents

A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancy Questionnaire Responses, and 3. Submission of any required documents. 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).

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a two-page resume. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Please view resume tips. Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.

2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: In addition, applicants are highly encouraged to submit the following supporting documentation:

• Performance Evaluation (not more than 2 years old)

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE (SES) NONCOMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If you are currently serving under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, proof of SES noncompetitive eligibility must be submitted:

• SF-50 showing your status as a current Career SES appointee, former Career SES appointee with career SES reinstatement eligibility, or current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive who is/was employed in a federal government agency that has an interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) allowing for movement between the agency's SES-equivalent personnel system and the SES; OR
• A certificate of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP). This applies only if your ECQs have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board through the SES CDP.
• Note: Former Career Reserve Senior Executive Service employees and graduates of a SES Candidate Development Program who have been certified by OPM's QRB are not required to address the ECQs.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: If selected, you will be required to submit an original Certificate of Good Standing from your State Bar if not already received by the agency.

How to Apply

The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours typically between 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12751674

• 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 your resume and/or other supporting 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. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
• It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
• Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.