Chief of Staff and Deputy General Counsel

This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General The supervisor is the Inspector General. This position is non-bargaining unit. This position is subject to NRC security ownership restrictions and Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting and requirements.

Duties

*RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THIS POSITION*

Serves as the Inspector General’s (IG’s) principal advisor and personal representative on all matters related to the IG’s policy, regulatory, managerial, and operational responsibilities. Ensures that issues and matters presented to the IG are fully researched, analyzed, evaluated, and documented prior to formal or informal consideration and decision-making.

Ensures that all briefing materials and background documentation prepared for the IG are accurate, timely, comprehensive, and responsive to the IG’s priorities and concerns.

Applies broad knowledge of agency policies, programs, and operations, including controversial or sensitive issues, to ensure actions and recommendations are aligned with the IG’s strategic objectives and immediate priorities.

Participates in policy discussions, planning groups, staff meetings, and special confidential meetings to remain informed of agency-wide issues and to coordinate the execution and follow-up of resulting action items.

Directs and manages staff activities and interactions. Ensures effective internal and external communication by conveying the IG’s priorities and directives to OIG staff, agency executives, and other key stakeholders. Assigns tasks, establishes deadlines, tracks progress, and identifies short- and long-term action items to ensure timely completion of the IG’s objectives. Provides regular status updates on major initiatives.

Oversees and monitors briefings on significant problems and controversial policy or program issues. Reviews and evaluates documents submitted for IG review and directs the preparation of background materials on matters of particular concern to the IG.

Coordinates and follows up on inquiries and action items with senior officials and external stakeholders, as appropriate. Periodically briefs the IG on significant issues and ensures the IG is kept fully informed of liaison activities.

Maintains awareness of issues affecting the nuclear industry (domestic and international), the energy sector, and climate-related matters, with particular sensitivity to legislative, political, and oversight activities on Capitol Hill and concerns raised by external stakeholders.

As directed by the IG, provides legal support to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), including occasional support to and back-up of the General Counsel on legal matters affecting OIG operations.

May be required to handle, review, access, and protect classified, sensitive, or otherwise protected information, the unauthorized disclosure of which could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Salary

• $169,279 - $197,200/year

Conditions of Employment

• You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.
• Successful completion of a background investigation resulting in a "Q" clearance is required, as well as the ability to maintain the "Q" clearance.
• This position is covered and subject to prohibited securities rules.
• Filing of the Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 278e)
• You must be a member of the Bar in good standing.
• You must have a law degree from an accredited college or university.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:  You must be a current member of a Bar in good standing admitted to practice before any court of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the highest court of any State, territory, or possession of the United States.

Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic entry requirements listed above, you must demonstrate at least 1 year of specialized experience at a level equivalent to the GS-14 grade, reflecting a high level of professional legal competence. This experience includes applying legal principles, practices, and precedents; interpreting and applying federal law such as the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, Administrative Procedure Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act, EEO and personnel statutes (including Merit Systems Protection Board and Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation), Special Counsel and Whistleblower Protection statutes, Title 18 U.S.C. et seq., Atomic Energy Act and Energy Reorganization Act, False Claims Act, and Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act; and analyzing judicial decisions, government regulations, and agency and federal case law to exercise independent legal judgment in handling a wide range of complex and/or sensitive legal matters.

You must also have extensive experience in conducting legal research, preparing legal papers, and reviewing documents for legal sufficiency. 

Typically, at least one year of this experience should be comparable in complexity and responsibility to the kind of work normally assigned at the grade 14 level or higher in the federal service, or equivalent.

Evaluation Criteria:  Candidates will be evaluated on the criteria listed below. Your resume should include information that is clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities; the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, and/or issues involved; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions as they relate to the evaluation criteria. In addition to your resume, you may use the available space provided to supply additional information regarding your qualifications for this position.

The ideal candidate for this position will have the following:

• Strong knowledge and a thorough understanding of both general and OIG-specific legal principles and practices, including OIG and agency-specific legislation, related federal statutes and regulations, applicable precedents, and other legal instruments or concepts associated with the OIG’s role in the agency. Prior experience in a federal Office of the Inspector General is preferred but not required.

• Broad knowledge of the mission, functions, organization, and regulatory practices of both the NRC and the DNFSB.

• Extensive knowledge of criminal and administrative law, especially laws applying to federal agency audits and investigations, as well as the ability to convey this knowledge effectively during consultations with OIG management and during meetings with NRC/DNFSB officials and other parties outside the OIG. Given our law enforcement functions, prior experience as a state or federal prosecutor is preferred but not required.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate the oversight of a broad range of complex technical, policy, and programmatic activities; to facilitate or carry out diverse responsibilities with significant policy implications; to perform effectively in an operational environment characterized by high visibility and meaningful impacts from decisions; and to provide sound legal advice and counsel to senior staff in agency matters.

• Highly developed interpersonal, organizational, and negotiation skills; ability to meet and deal effectively at a policy level with a broad range of senior management and technical officials; and strong skill in establishing relationships and achieving cooperation and consensus among parties or entities with diverse and often-conflicting views or objectives.

• Advanced skills in oral and written communication sufficient to effectively convey and present complex, detailed information of a technical or policy nature to the Inspector General, other OIG managers, NRC Commissioners, DNFSB Members, senior NRC and DNFSB managers, and representatives of other institutions, agencies, and organizations. A writing sample may be required from candidate finalists.

NOTE: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.

Education Juris Doctor (JD) All education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation here: gov/admins/finaid/accred Special instructions for candidates with foreign education: Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities. For further information visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Other Information The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC. How You will be Evaluated: When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager. Required Documents

• Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
• Your DD-214 or Statement of Service shows if you qualify for Veterans' Preference, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 or the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heros Act. We prefer the member 4 copy of your DD-214.
• Some jobs require proof of a specific license, like a driver's license or professional license. See the job announcement for details.
• Include a performance appraisal as proof of federal employment.
• Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.
• Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.

List of supplemental material that may be applicable:

• PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL – (Required from all current federal employees)– Applicants must submit a complete performance appraisal that includes ratings, critical elements and management narratives.  Ideally the appraisal should be dated within the last 15 months.  Appraisals are required from all federal, and/or quasi-federal applicants.  If a PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL is not available, you must submit a separate statement with the reason why your appraisal is not available and personnel point of contact so we can verify your appraisal status.  NOTE: An SF-50 IS NOT acceptable as a performance appraisal.
• Notice of Personnel Action SF-50- (Required from all current/former federal employees) - If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.  The SF-50 must show your tenure, grade, step, position title, and series.  While only the most current is required, you may upload multiple in order to show information that may be pertinent to your application. 
• UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPT(S) - All education submitted is subject to verification.  If you are applying for a position that requires a college degree, you must submit your College Transcripts. Failure to provide this information will result in your application not being considered upon the closing date of the announcement.
• BAR ADMISSION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must provide proof of admission to a U.S. bar, such as a license or certificate of good standing, confirming successful completion of a bar examination after graduation from an accredited law school.

NOTE: Failure to submit the requested documentation by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application package not being considered further for the position.

All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have 3 choices for submitting your supplemental documents:

1. Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or
2. use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer. The following types of documents can be uploaded: .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, and .doc; or

If you are submitting documents over 3 megabytes, use the "Fax" feature to print the Fax Cover Sheet and fax the documentation to 1-571-258-4052.

How to Apply

We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.

Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.

Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.

To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.