Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team and gain valuable experience in a legal environment. Our mission is to serve America's taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS. It is a great place to work with an excellent benefits package and family-friendly atmosphere.

Duties

The Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) serves as the executive for the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) organizational component of the Office of Chief Counsel. As such, the incumbent is responsible for managing, directing and providing legal advice for programs and services related to the mission of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, known as the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) (see Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 7803(c)). The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of all legal services provided to the NTA and the NTA's headquarters employees, and for reviewing, elevating, and coordinating, if requested by TAS, legal advice provided by field Chief Counsel offices to field TAS offices. The Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) is also responsible for consulting with and advising the NTA about the issuance of Counsel guidance, legislative proposals, regulations, and other advice, that impacts areas of interest to the NTA and for assisting with the review of any legal matters included in either of the NTA's reports to Congress required by section 7803(c). As the Office's recognized expert on all issues involving TAS and taxpayer rights, the incumbent serves as the chief legal advisor to the Deputy Chief Counsel (Operations), the NTA and TAS, and other Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials on issues involving the development, interpretation and application of Internal Revenue Code sections 7803(a)(3), Execution of duties in accordance with taxpayer rights, 7803(c), Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, 7811, Taxpayer Assistance Orders, and 7526, Low-income Taxpayer Clinics, related off-Code provisions, and any future related Code or off-Code provisions. The incumbent is responsible for directing the development of legislation, regulations, rulings and advisory opinions on these areas, as well as the coordination of litigation matters, when appropriate. The Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) supervises a staff of GS-15 attorneys and support personnel engaged in providing legal guidance and assistance on these matters. As delegated, the incumbent represents the Office/Chief Counsel on policy and program matters involving other Counsel and IRS organizations, the Department of Treasury, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the General Counsel, and the Department of Justice (DOJ). As a Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program), major duties include: Serves as Chief Counsel's principal representative in coordinating the delivery of legal services to the NTA and the NTA's headquarters employees. Monitors activities of Counsel's field and National Office functions to ensure services are timely, of high quality, and responsive to the needs of the NTA and the NTA's headquarters staff, and/or TAS field personnel, as appropriate. Works with Counsel staff, as needed, on a case, or office basis to improve service. Alerts the Chief Counsel to any systemic organizational impediments, and makes recommendations for effecting program improvements. Serves as a central point of contact for all questions/issues relating to Counsel's role in providing legal support to the NTA and TAS. Directs request for assistance, and provides liaison support, when needed, to facilitate the process of the NTA's requests for legal advice from the National Office. Reviews, elevates, and coordinates legal advice issued to local TAS offices from field Counsel offices if so requested by TAS. Serves as link with Counsel staff to advise of any concern expressed by the NTA. Where possible, works with the NTA and/or Counsel staff to address controversial, or problematic program issues. Coordinates the IRS's position in litigation with the Associate and Division Counsels, the IRS, and DOJ in areas within the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel's jurisdiction. Reviews for legal accuracy and makes recommendations to the NTA and TAS regarding administrative resolution of Taxpayer Assistance Orders and Taxpayer Advocate Directives and prepares other documents setting out TAS's independent position in such cases. Coordinates the resolution of cases and other matters where the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel's office. Works with the IRS, Division Commissioners, Associate and Division Counsels, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate including the NTA, and other components of the IRS as applicable. Advises DOJ as to the facts and legal positions of the IRS in matters within jurisdiction; prepares recommendations concerning defense, settlement, appeal, or certiorari of cases involving TAS; and coordinates other matters with DOJ as required. Processes or coordinates, as appropriate, petitions and complaints, briefs, actions on decision, and other matters.

Requirements

• Refer to "Additional Information"
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• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Qualifications

To qualify for this position of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) you must meet the following requirements: Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Desired Education/Experience: An LL.M. in Taxation is desired but not required. 7 years of professional legal tax experience is desired. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level or its equivalent in Federal service. Applicants must possess the following technical and executive core qualifications: You must submit a separate narrative statement that addresses each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position as well as the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) related to all positions in the Senior Executive Service. Your narrative statements should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification. Structure your statements in terms of the action taken, the context or environment in which the action was taken, and the outcome or results from such actions. You should write each statement with the vacancy in mind as all qualifications are directly related to the position being filled. If you do not submit a separate statement addressing the ECQs and MTQs, you will not receive consideration for the position. A) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Unless you are currently serving under a Career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, or eligible for reinstatement into the SES, you must address the ECQs. Applicants must provide a narrative statement (not to exceed a total of 10 pages) that clearly documents and demonstrates possession of the competencies in the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) as established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The following five ECQs provide the focus for certification of executive core qualifications for initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service. Leading Change - Ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leading People - Ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Results Driven - Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Business Acumen - Ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Building Coalitions - Ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Additional information on ECQs is available at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/ . Applicants are strongly encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Results model outlined in the guide. It is recommended that you draft your ECQs in a Word document and then upload into the system. B) Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTQs): In addition to the Executive Core Qualifications, all candidates must show evidence of the following mandatory technical competencies in order to meet basic qualifications for this position. The narrative statements should demonstrate your specialized knowledge and technical competence. Please give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge and skills you possess. You should address each MTQ separately, with the total narrative not exceeding ten pages. Mandatory In addition to the general managerial competencies set out in the Executive Core Qualifications, the following mandatory technical qualifications are specific competencies required to qualify for the position: Position requires a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Federal tax statutes and regulations and IRS tax policies, including detailed knowledge of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, the Taxpayer First Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Must have demonstrated the ability to manage a legal services program, including the ability to review and assess the organizational effectiveness of program services and policies, and to design and implement procedures to improve/optimize organizational performance. Must have demonstrated the ability to make and effect timely and well-considered decisions, and to resolve issues/problems of substantial impact, sensitivity, and complexity. Must have demonstrated the ability to supervise others to promote maximum utilization and development of staff and to support equal employment opportunity initiative and goals. Desirable General understanding of the operations and organization of the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Chief Counsel. Knowledge of the legislation and regulations process with the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. (Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified.) Narrative responses to the Technical Qualifications and Desirable Qualifications should not be more than two pages for each. Please provide the Executive Core Qualifications, Technical Qualifications and Desirable Qualifications each on separate sheets of paper. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or 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.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Office of Chief Counsel, IRS Staffing and Classification Branch 1111 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20224 US
• Name: Carrie Middleton
• Phone: 202-317-6578
• Email: [email protected]