The Associate General Counsel (AGC), is the principal Office of the General Counsel (OGC) official responsible for all program litigation in one or more major jurisdictions (circuits) within the federal court system of the United States, provides executive leadership and coordinates the full range of program litigation services required on behalf of the Social Security Administration.

Duties

The Associate General Counsel for Program Litigation (AGC, OPLit) serves as principal advisor to the General Counsel with respect to the legal aspects of the formulation, coordination, revision and execution of program litigation policy and programs for the circuit(s) within the Associate General Counsel's responsibility. The AGC, OPLit is responsible for: Consulting with and assisting U.S. Attorneys and the headquarters Department of Justice in the investigation, preparation, presentation and conduct of civil litigation within the circuit(s) of responsibility that relate to the Agency's programs, including development of strategies for litigation activities and negotiating settlements of claims against the United States. Such consultation and assistance may include the preparation of answers, briefs, motions, stipulations, judgments, findings, and all other instruments and documents peculiar to litigation, interviewing witnesses, and advice provided concerning the legality of claims against the United States. Serving as the principal legal official responsible for the Agency's program litigation in one or more federal court circuits, provides leadership, strategic and administrative direction, and coordinative control for the harmonious and effective delivery of program litigation legal services to SSA's regional and headquarters officials. Developing and supervising procedures and operations as follows: (1) In litigation that crosses circuit boundaries, coordinates with the appropriate Associate General Counsel as to lead responsibility in the case and to ensure consistency nationwide on positions taken in the litigation; (2) Establishes policies whereby work is assigned to and completed by staff; (3) Ensures the collection of--and analyzes--program litigation data to inform strategic litigation decisions, improve court results, and provide legal counsel to high-level Agency officials; (4) Where necessary or as requested by staff, reviews pleadings, motions, briefs, appeal recommendations, memoranda, letters, and other communications in more difficult cases and as appropriate (arranging and supplementing such materials as necessary); and (5) In very difficult or important cases, performs necessary additional legal research. In addition to program litigation, may oversee or provide litigation services in one or more additional OGC workloads.

Requirements

Qualifications

As a basic requirement, applicants MUST demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. Failure to meet this basic qualification requirement and all executive and technical qualification factors automatically disqualifies an applicant. You must clearly show that you possess the experience and leadership competencies to perform the duties of an executive. To be considered for this position, all applicants must address each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications (MTQ), and the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) listed below in the application documents you submit. Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the Senior Executive Service, or have successfully completed a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program approved by OPM and been certified by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Your examples should be clear and concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. Each MTQ and ECQ must be addressed separately and submitted with your application. Please refer to the OPM Guide to SES Executive Core Qualifications (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf) for guidance on how to describe your executive qualifications. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: Narrative Statements for the ECQs must not exceed 10 pages; additional pages will not be considered. This document MUST be submitted using the "Executive Core Qualifications" document type. ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: You must have demonstrated an ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: You must demonstrate the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This ECQ involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resource strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This ECQ involves the 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. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation. MANDATORY PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): No more than one (1) page per MTQ is allowed; additional information will not be considered. Experience providing legal advice and counsel, orally and in writing, to senior officials of a large government agency or organization at the Federal or corporate level on a wide variety of legal issues. Submit this narrative document using the "Mandatory Technical Qualification" document type. Membership in the bar of the court of a State, Territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Proof of bar membership is required. Submit this document using the "Proof of Bar Membership" document type. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (DQs): An optional statement addressing each Desirable Qualification (DQ) is strongly recommended. No more than one (1) page per DQ is allowed; additional information will not be considered. This document should be submitted using the "Desirable Qualification" document type. Significant experience in the practice of law, either in administrative or court litigation. Experience performing as litigator with, or directing staff interaction with, United States Attorneys or District/State Attorneys in the preparation, development, and defense of litigation, or performing the same activities as the litigation or supervisor of attorneys pursuing or defending against the governmental entity. **Note for Current and/or Former Political Appointees: Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make 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 Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office within your application package.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address OGC 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21235 US
• Name: Jennifer Bartlette
• Email: [email protected]