Director of Exemption Determinations

Summary This position is located in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits Security Administration. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. The "Required Documents" section of this announcement identifies all documents that must be uploaded in order to be considered a complete application package. Applicants that do not submit a complete application will not receive further consideration. Learn more about this agency Duties Leads national policy development for individual and class exemptions under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and FERSA, including identifying needed policy updates and formulating proposed and final exemptions. Directs program operations for the Division of Class Exemptions and the Division of Individual Exemptions, ensuring effective review, analysis, and issuance of exemption determinations. Provides authoritative technical guidance to EBSA leadership, other federal agencies, and industry representatives on complex fiduciary exemption issues and statutory requirements. Manages strategic planning, resources, staffing, and budget needs for the Office of Exemption Determinations, including setting priorities and overseeing program evaluations. Represents EBSA in interagency collaboration, public hearings, industry meetings, and task forces, ensuring coordinated policy development and stakeholder engagement. Oversees personnel management for professional and support staff, including hiring, performance oversight, workload allocation, and organizational leadership. Requirements Conditions of employment Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. citizen. Must meet Executive Core Qualifications. Must complete one year SES probationary period if not previously covered. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency. Appointment to this position may require a background investigation. You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. If selected, the candidate must receive approval from OPM's Qualifications Review Board in order to be appointed to the SES. 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. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Candidates must possess technical and management experience and have developed the knowledge and skills required for effective performance of the specific duties of the position. Candidates must have had experience at a major management level (normally equivalent to the GS-15 level in the federal service). Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements. Qualifications 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. Candidates will be hired based on merit and competence. 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. TQ 1. Expert Knowledge of ERISA/FERSA Exemption Authorities Demonstrated expert knowledge of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), applicable Internal Revenue Code prohibited transaction provisions, and similar provisions of the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act (FERSA), including substantial experience interpreting and applying these authorities to the development, evaluation, issuance, or oversight of individual and class exemptions, fiduciary standards, and related policy guidance. TQ 2. Technical Leadership in Complex Fiduciary, Financial, and Regulatory Matters Demonstrated ability to lead and oversee the analysis of complex fiduciary, financial, legal, and regulatory matters affecting employee benefit plans, including evaluating exemption requests, identifying conflicts of interest, assessing the impact of proposed transactions, and directing the development of regulatory, policy, or administrative actions in coordination with senior agency officials and other Federal entities. 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 This position does not have an education requirement. Additional information DOL seeks to attract and retain a high-performing workforce in which employee differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the customers we serve. DOL fosters a work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential. Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. 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. 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. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to the appointment. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. Expand Hide  additional information 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.