General Counsel, National Guard Bureau

General Counsel, National Guard Bureau

Department: Department of Defense

Location(s): Arlington, Virginia

Salary Range: $184363 - $225700 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, National Guard Bureau (NGB). The incumbent directly reports to the Chief, NGB, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Department of Defense (DoD) Component Head.

Major Duties:

• The incumbent leads a large, select, staff of attorneys, paralegals, and support personnel assigned to the Office of the General Counsel, NGB and performs the following major duties: Has primary responsibility for the overall leadership and management of all elements of the Office of the General Counsel. Serve as the most senior attorney in the National Guard functional community, and provide legal policy guidance and functional management to over 1,000 National Guard attorneys, legal administrators, and paralegals. Provide advice to the Chief, NGB; the Vice-CNGB; the NGB Joint Staff; the Directors of the Army and Air National Guards; the Adjutants General of the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia; full-time State Judge Advocates; United States Property and Fiscal Officers; the General Counsels of the Department of Defense, Army, and Air Force; the Offices of the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates General; the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Combatant Commands; the Department of Justice; the White House Counsel; Members of Congress and their professional staffs; and other federal and state agencies regarding all legal matters and services performed within, or involving, the non-federalized activities of the National Guard. Provide legal advice to facilitate CNGB's role as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense through the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters regarding the non-federalized activities of the National Guard. Serve as CNGB's personal representative for National Guard legal issues that require coordination with the Adjutants General or full-time State Judge Advocates; the General Counsels of the Department of Defense, Army, and Air Force; and the Offices of the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates General. This includes representing the CNGB at the enterprise and peer level with the General Counsels of the Department of Defense and the Services. Assist in the development and review of proposed federal legislation and present necessary drafts, reports, comments, and testimony to appropriate state and federal committees, commissions, and organizations that impact NGB missions, tasks, and functions. Interface with senior DoD civilian and military officials. Regularly brief and/or attend official and social functions with State Governors, Members of Congress, business and civic leaders, and other senior government officials in an official capacity as the General Counsel. Supervise legal services performed by subordinate attorneys and paralegals in the Office of the General Counsel, including administrative oversight for those attached to NORTHCOM, Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Army National Guard Primary Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Determine the adherence of Army National Guard judge advocates across the National Guard to appropriate professional responsibility standards and oversee the professional legal training of over 2400 National Guard attorneys and paralegals. Provide for the coordination of significant legal issues with the Department of Justice and with other federal, state and local legal departments, administrative agencies, and judicial bodies on litigation matters involving the non-federalized activities of the National Guard and other interagency and intergovernmental legal matters in which NGB has an interest. Manage the NGB Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Serve as the proponent for all Air National Guard and Army National Guard legal matters and policies as they pertain to the NGB.

Qualifications: 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 - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements. 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. Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications: TQ 1: Broad legal expertise and experience addressing the legal issues arising from the missions of the Department of Defense, preferably with regard to the National Guard. This includes expert knowledge of the authorities and responsibilities of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and title 32, United States Code, and a thorough understanding of the complex state and federal authorities and responsibilities of the Adjutants General of the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia and its relationship with the Services and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. TQ 2: Diversified legal experience dealing with highly complex military issues, particularly in reserve component matters. Such experience should include legal analysis, litigation, and providing legal counsel and advice, preferably in a military setting. Ability to interpret and apply statutes and administrative regulations to advise senior leadership on legal implications of proposed actions. Demonstrated superior writing and oral communication skills with clear and concise analysis. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (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. Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation. Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently. Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a 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. Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities. Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems. 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. Sub-Competencies: Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain. Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems. Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. 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. Sub-Competencies: Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes. Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate. 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. Sub-Competencies: Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation. Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements. Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.

How to Apply: 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 résumé 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 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.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-17