Associate General Counsel for Claims and Litigation

Summary The General Services Administration is actively seeking top-tier talent for our Senior Executive Service (SES) positions from within GSA, across the government, and from the private sector. We have streamlined our recruitment process which will require you to submit an online resume (not-to-exceed 2 pages) to apply for this position. Duties Serves as the Associate General Counsel for Claims and Litigation, providing day-to-day direction, guidance and coordination of legal services in connection with claims and litigation involving GSA; more specifically, claims and disputes under the Contract Disputes Act, representation before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA), supporting the Department of Justice (DOJ) in litigating matters involving GSA contracts and programs/responsibilities filed in the U.S. District Courts, responding to requests for information arising from litigation in which the government is not a party and managing the defense of and response to torts claims against the agency. Oversees, manages, reviews and approves work of the legal staff which may involve complex or difficult questions of law or policy for which no precedent has been established or that concern legal matters of unusual or novel nature. Engages with a diverse range of high-level stakeholders, including Congressional committees, other Federal agencies, and industry leaders. This requires sophisticated communication skills to represent GSA interests, develop and maintain strategic partnerships, and negotiate complex inter-agency issues. Formulates and recommends to the General Counsel litigation strategy, policies and practices to provide effective resolution of claims and disputes in matters related to GSA activities.  Recommends the need for new or revised legislation, Executive Orders and regulatory material. Serves as the principal legal advisor and senior litigator overseeing GSA’s claims and litigation portfolio and other causes of action filed in the U.S. District Courts, Court of Federal Claims, CBCA, the Government Accountability Office, and Federal and State regulatory bodies involved with electric, gas, and other regulated non-communication utilities.  Leads and oversees subordinate attorneys in connection with claims and other cases resulting in litigation before judicial tribunals, including the review and submission of documentary evidence to the DOJ, the interview of and taking of depositions from witnesses, preparation of briefs, petitions, complaints, motions and answers. Requirements Conditions of employment Resume-only hiring method; resume must not exceed 2 pages. All application materials must be received by the closing date. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Apply online (See 'How to Apply' section.) OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position is a critical sensitive national security position. Appointment to this position requires the selectee to undergo a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication for the GSA security office to grant you a Top Secret national security clearance. Applicants do not need this level of clearance in order to apply for the position. If you are not a GSA employee, the security office must grant the clearance before you are appointed to this position unless a pre-appointment waiver of this requirement is approved. This position has been designated under Executive Order 12564 as being subject to random drug screening. If tentatively selected for this position, you may be required to submit to a urinalysis screen for illegal drugs prior to appointment. Appointment will be contingent upon your receiving a negative test result. If tentatively selected, you will be required to submit a Declaration for Federal Employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 will be required to complete a  certification statement confirming their selective service status. Persons selected for their initial appointment to an SES position must have their executive qualifications approved by the Office of Personnel Management before being appointed to the position. If selected, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously successfully completed a one-year probationary period in the Senior Executive Service. If selected, you must file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) upon appointment in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Veteran's preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service.   Must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (at the time of graduation) and must be an active member of the bar in good standing (Certificate of Good Standing to practice law) in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico. Qualifications All applicants must meet the Mandatory Technical Competency and Executive Core Qualification requirements listed below to be eligible for consideration. Eligibility will be based on a clear demonstration that the applicant's training and experience are of the scope, quality and level of responsibility sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this executive position. Note: Your 2-page resume must show possession of the Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTCs) and the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) listed below; please do not address the MTCs nor ECQs through submission of separate narrative responses- written narratives will not be reviewed for consideration. MANDATORY TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: Demonstrated Expertise in Managing and Overseeing the Delivery of Litigation-related Services Proven Leadership and Management of Legal Teams EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): 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. 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. 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. 4. Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group towards 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 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. Education Must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (at the time of graduation) and must be an active member of the bar in good standing (Certificate of Good Standing to practice law) in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION FOR THE VACANCY: General Services Administration Office of the General Counsel Washington, DC The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs. NOTICE REGARDING SALARY: GSA has established Pay Tiers within the Governmentwide SES pay band and categorized each SES position in the agency into one of three tiers. This structure is designed to provide a more refined approach to executive compensation, aligning pay levels with the scope, complexity, and impact of each SES role. This is a Tier II SES position. Current SES members whose salary equals or exceeds the maximum advertised salary for this position, will not lose pay upon appointment.     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. Review our 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.