Department: Department of Homeland Security
Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia
Salary Range: $150160 - $225700 Per Year
Job Summary: The Chief Counsel is the principal legal authority within the U.S. Secret Service and has responsibility for legal policy and determinations and the delivery of legal services.
Major Duties:
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 not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. 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. Please limit your resume to no more than 2-pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over 2-pages. 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 ECQs or the TQs. Only the required 2-page resume will be considered. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ-1: Comprehensive knowledge and extensive executive level experience interpreting laws and providing legal advice concerning federal laws, to include the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution; personnel and employment law, including laws regarding employee misconduct and discipline; equal employment opportunity and civil rights laws; fiscal law; ethics; procurement; the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act; congressional and oversight entity response and compliance; and legislative and policy drafting and review. TQ-2: Executive level experience in managing and overseeing a substantial legal office within a federal agency, law firm, or other organization. Candidates should have skill in directing, planning, and supervising work within legal practice areas and managing an office's budget and resources, evaluating the professional development and performance of attorneys, paralegals, and other legal staff, and the development and implementation of office and agency objectives, authorities and programs. TQ-3: Executive level experience providing advice when overseeing legal matters of substantial impact, sensitivity, and complexity, communicating clearly and concisely, and working within a matrixed organization. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQ): In addition to the TQ requirements listed above, all new entrants into the 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 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), 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. Desired Qualification: At least 10 years of general legal and management experience is preferred.
How to Apply: To Apply Online: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your resume and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. The Secret Service provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis.
Application Deadline: 2025-12-01