Attorney Advisor

Summary This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Executive Office of the Inspector General (EOIG) and reports directly to the Chief of Staff (CofS). The Strategic Advisor serves as a senior advisor and subject matter expert to the agency's leadership on matters concerning congressional engagement and relations, strategy, legislative proposals, legislative priorities, including appropriations. Responsibilities Before applying for this position, please read the entire announcement and follow the instructions in the How to Apply section. As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory technical qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant. As the OIG Strategic Advisor, you will be required to perform the following major duties: Represent the agency's positions in discussions with key congressional committees, caucuses, and government entities. Identify strategic legislative opportunities and challenges, advise senior leadership on appropriate courses of action, and lead cross-OIG efforts to review legislative drafts in alignment with the agency's objectives. Provide technical drafting assistance for legislative proposals. Analyze, evaluate, and interpret current and proposed legislation that impacts the agency's mission, goals, and operations. Develop and maintain long-term legislative strategies that align with the agency's policy goals and mission priorities. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including congressional members and staff, to ensure that the agency has the necessary support and is aligned with broader government goals. Ensure that the agency's legislative strategy is effectively linked to resourcing and budgeting priorities and, in coordination with the OIG Office of Management, ensure that the agency's appropriations requests reflect legislative priorities and strategic goals. Monitor appropriations processes and provide advice on strategy to ensure the agency secures necessary funding to meet its mission goals. The incumbent of this position performs a broad variety of professional legal work, which includes rendering legal advice and services with respect to highly complex or consequential questions, regulations, practices, or other matters within the purview of the DHS/OIG. Lead education efforts to ensure congressional understanding of the agency's budgetary priorities and the impact of legislation. Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with congressional members/staff, committees, GAO, and other legislative bodies. Author and review testimony and talking points for the Inspector General and other OIG officials appearing before Congress. Reviews and provides expert advice on Congressional reports, briefings by OIG staff. Ensure the agency complies with legislative mandates and appropriations requirements, preparing regular reports for Congress and other oversight bodies. Oversee the coordination of responses to congressional inquiries, hearings, and briefings, ensuring that the agency's positions are clearly articulated. Draft correspondence to Congress in support of the Inspector General on matters addressing OIG audits, investigations, inspections and evaluations, and other matters critical to OIG operations, including resources. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position. You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required. In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Secret security clearance. Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 01/05/2025. The individual selected will be required to file an Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration). You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. A J.D. or LL.B Degree is required. Bar membership: Active and in good standing is required. Applicants must separately address the Mandatory Qualifications (No more than two pages per technical qualification and must include your name). Qualifications Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. Applicants should have excellent technical expertise, analytical skills, and exhibit good judgment. Applicants must have significant expertise concerning congressional engagement and relations, strategy, legislative proposals, legislative priorities, including appropriations. We recommend that your application emphasize your level of experience, expertise, and accomplishments (including the results of your actions) in formulating, directing, and overseeing legislative strategy. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the position. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess. As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Qualifications below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other qualifications, if applicable, listed below. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. You must address each technical qualification separately. You are required to respond to all of the technical qualifications. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statements to no more than two pages per technical qualification and must include your name. 1. Expert knowledge and experience in in the legislative process, including working directly with members of Congress, congressional committees, or federal agencies on legislative and appropriations matters. 2. Strong analytical and technical skills in drafting and reviewing legislative language, with the ability to provide expert-level assistance on legislative texts, evaluate complex legislation, and propose innovative solutions. 3. Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders in the Legislative and Executive Branches and effectively communicate policies and mission priorities using excellent written and oral communication. Applicants who meet all the Mandatory Qualifications may be evaluated by a panel of experts to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statement for the Mandatory Qualifications described above. Note regarding application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service. However, the Office of Inspector General considers veterans' preference eligibility in attorney hiring. Applicants claiming veterans' preference must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and any other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Additional information on veterans' preference is available in the Vet Guide, (http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx). Time in grade is not required for Senior Level (SL) position. All qualifications and education must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Education Applicants must possess a LL.B., J.D., or LL.M. degree. AND Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar and in good standing, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. Additional Information Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 01/05/2025. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application. Please view the following link for information on how to obtain an alternative application https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?%20title=Alternate_Application_Information Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position Title; Type of Appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and Ending dates of appointment.