Senior Counsel for Legal Advice

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking highly qualified individuals who are willing to meet the challenges of public service and support our mission. Our compensation package is comparable to the private sector. And we also offer a broad array of program activities to develop your career, such as: networking and training opportunities. At HUD, you'll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain insight into federal housing policy and community development. The incumbent must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or J.D., or equivalent; and be an active member in good standing of the Bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. This position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and reports to the Deputy General Counsel for Operations. OGC provides legal opinions, advice, and services with respect to all departmental programs and activities. OGC has primary responsibility for the development of HUD program regulations and assists in the development of HUD programs and policies.

The Senior Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice to the immediate Office of the General Counsel, OCHCO and Departmental Leadership on labor and personnel matters that are of a sensitive nature, involve national import or otherwise assigned by the Deputy General Counsel of Operations, the Principal Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel. As a result, the Senior Counsel must maintain a working knowledge of the law in the areas of labor law, personnel law, including all applicable civil rights laws and federal human resource policies of the Department and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The Senior Counsel must maintain a working knowledge of, including but not limited to decisions of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the Office of Special Counsel, as well as decisions by the Federal Courts.

The Senior Counsel will furnish legal advice and guidance with respect to various phases of Department administrative procedures involving human resources and equal employment opportunity, including assistance in drafting, and reviewing Departmental policies and regulations. The Senior Counsel will review and provide input for the Department, when requested, by OPM, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Congress, the White House, or other federal agencies on personnel, equal employment opportunity and human resource policies.

The Senior Counsel will advise on Special Projects as assigned by OGC Leadership. The Senior Counsel has considerable latitude and authority to advise the Secretary and the Immediate Office of General Counsel independent of other members of the Office of General Counsel. In addition, the Senior Counsel serves as an independent counsel to the Immediate Office of the General Counsel for cross cutting matters and other policy and research questions identified by the General Counsel.

The Senior Counsel will provide legal advice to the General Counsel and his immediate staff on matters determined to require cross cutting review and advice on questions with serious Departmental implication and implementation challenges.

Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last five (5) years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information on your resume and to the Human Resources Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants have strong academic credentials, demonstrate a quick analytical ability and the faculty to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a case. Applicants must demonstrate superior oral and writing skills as well as strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment. Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom skills and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies. Applicants must have a demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment. United States citizenship is required.The ideal candidate should have the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with client agencies, support staff and other attorneys, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): All applicants must submit a written narrative addressing each MTQ separately, not to exceed one (1) page per MTQ. You must fully address each MTQ to be rated for further consideration.

MTQ 1 - Strong oral communication skills, including extensive experience briefing senior officials and working with attorneys and high-level officials in federal agencies. Excellent legal research and writing skills.

MTQ 2 - Extensive knowledge of labor laws, personal law and policies of the federal government, federal EEO statutes, regulations, Management Directives, and authorities and working knowledge of related authorities involving the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority.