Associate General Counsel (Benefits)

Summary This position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Washington, DC. The incumbent works independently under the general oversight of the Deputy and Principal Deputy General Counsel, leading legal operations across multiple law groups. The role involves high-level legal, policy, and litigation work on veterans benefits matters, requiring coordination with senior VA officials, DOJ, and other federal entities. Duties The Associate General Counsel (Benefits) duties include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Supervises, through Senior Executives, the following OGC office legal practice areas: benefits law; health care law; Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims litigation; revenue law; torts law; and loan guaranty. 2. Provides representation and legal, policy, and business advice on major national programs affecting the provision of health care law and benefits, including loan guaranty benefits, and adjudication of veterans benefits claims. 3. Represents the Secretary and officials of the DVA in litigation in Federal and State courts. Cooperates with the Department of Justice in civil and criminal litigations involving DVA installations, programs, or activities. 4. Represents the DVA before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in litigation significantly impacting the DVA's national benefits programs. 5. Maintains liaison with Senate and House Committees, Members of Congress and their staffs, State Legislatures, and professional and service Organizations. 6. 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 legislation involving the Department. 7. Provides advice and representation to all Senior Leaders in administration of the Federal Tort Claims Act. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a US citizen or National. Subject to a one year probationary period required (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. Incumbents of this position will be subject to a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests. Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) is required within 30 days of appointment. May be subject to reassignment geographically or organizationally. VA structures its SES positions into pay bands. This is a pay band 2 position and the salary range is $150,160 to $218,000. Exceptions to the cap of the range may be considered in certain circumstances. Qualifications 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. Education 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. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) AND a current active bar membership from any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, or Federal Court. 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) Additional information Veteran Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service.: https://www.opm.gov/faqs/topic/Senior-Executive-Service/index.aspx. Drug Testing: All applicants tentatively selected for VA Senior Executive Service employment in any position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and will be subject to random testing thereafter. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. VA structures its SES positions into pay bands. This is a pay band 2 position and the salary range is $150,160 to $218,000. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. Exceptions to the cap of the range may be considered in certain circumstances. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office. 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. 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.