The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for its Deputy Chief Counsel position in its San Francisco Office. This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens. OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

Salary Range: $145,415 – $164,200
Open Period: May 4, 2018 to June 3, 2018

Job Summary:
The Deputy Chief Counsel reports to the Chief Counsel and is one of two principal advisors to the Chief Counsel, along with being a member of the Region’s Senior Leadership Team. The Deputy Chief Counsel works closely with the Chief Counsel in directing and coordinating the office’s legal services provided to the Department’s programs and constituent agencies. The legal matters often involve significant financial and operational considerations, are extremely complex, and are often precedent setting.

The Deputy Chief Counsel will:

• Participate with the Chief Counsel in the overall planning, organization, and formulation of policies and procedures for the Regional Office;
• Perform supervisory oversight of attorneys, paralegals, and administrative support staff, including performance appraisals, and assess and address staff training needs;
• Supervise the assignment and review of work in designated subject matter areas, and ensure that the legal analysis, legal positions, and litigation strategies are of high quality and are consistent with HHS and OGC policies and directives;
• Ensure that HHS’ interests are vigorously represented in all litigation before the federal courts and administrative tribunals;
• Manage communications with agency officials on legal matters to ensure that client needs are identified and met.

The following are required qualifications:
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed on this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

• Candidate must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
• Candidate must have been admitted to a bar in one of the highest courts of a State, U. S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia and be in good standing.
• Must have federal litigation experience.
• Strong academic achievement; outstanding organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills; superior legal writing and research abilities; and a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.
• Five years of experience in the practice of law or its equivalent.
• One year of legal experience which is directly related to the position being filled and equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in Federal service.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must maintain an active bar membership and be in good standing throughout employment with OGC.
• The successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
• Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
• E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS “E-Verify” System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
• Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• A financial disclosure statement will be required.
• A two-year trial period may be required.
• A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
• This position is not in a bargaining unit.
• Some travel may be required.

Instructions to Apply:
Please submit the following documents to OGCR9Hiring@hhs.gov to receive full consideration by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement.

• Cover letter
• A Qualifications Statement not to exceed 4 pages that provides a description of your experience and qualifications with respect to each of the following categories:

1. Administration and managerial skills: Ability to participate in the overall planning, reporting, and budgeting for an office, as well as in the assignment of work, setting priorities, and the hiring, utilization and evaluation of professional and administrative staff to ensure that the region is doing its best to perform its mission and meet the client’s need for service.
2. Litigation experience: Previous litigation experience and the ability to effectively develop litigation strategy for the defense and prosecution of matters having broad impact.
3. Supervision and training skills: Ability to manage and supervise the work of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff of various grades and levels of experience, as well as to facilitate the effective training of less experienced attorneys and non-attorneys.
4. Client relationship skills: The ability to effectively relate to officials of the client units, to maintain your role as an attorney among non-attorneys, and to represent the agency in dealing with individuals outside the Department.

• If you are a current Federal employee, please provide a copy of your last performance appraisal and a copy of your latest SF-50
• Resume (must include education, including names of undergraduate and law school, degrees received and dates graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; and a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment, supervisor name(s) and telephone number(s)
• A legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages
• Law school transcripts if graduated from law school within the past five years
• Proof of bar status and standing. You must provide proof that you are a current, active member of a bar of the highest court of a State, U. S. commonwealth, U. S. territory, or the District of Columbia
• A minimum of three professional references