GENERAL COUNSEL

GENERAL COUNSEL

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Rockville, Maryland

Salary Range: $184900 - $209600 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General The supervisor is the Inspector General. This position is non-bargaining unit. This position is subject to NRC security ownership restrictions and Public Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.

Major Duties:

• *RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THIS POSITION* Serves as the principal legal advisor to the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, and Assistant Inspectors General. Provides authoritative legal analysis, research, advice, and counsel to these individuals and their staff. Develops and maintains comprehensive, in-depth expertise in specialized statutory and regulatory requirements governing the OIG, the NRC, and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB). Provides definitive legal analysis and counsel to the IG and OIG staff. Represents the OIG's positions before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, as well as before external parties whose interests are affected by the OIG's oversight. Independently develops OIG commentary on draft regulations addressing OIG, NRC, or DNFSB activities and provides authoritative interpretations and guidance regarding implementation and ongoing compliance. Performs comprehensive reviews and provides commentary on existing and proposed legislation and regulations affecting the administration of NRC and DNFSB programs and operations. Reviews proposed agency rules, regulations, and related documentation for legal implications and provides comments, analysis, or alternative language as required. Advises senior OIG management regarding the potential policy or legal impacts of regulatory actions and provides guidance regarding alternative approaches or mechanisms as appropriate. Conducts or attends meetings with OIG managers and staff at all levels concerning issues having legal implications and provides authoritative advice as required by particular facts or circumstances. In addition, reviews and comments on draft audit reports, draft investigative reports, subpoenas, Memoranda of Understanding, and other contractual/legal documents, and advises on sensitive issues in investigative processes and reports. Reviews IG administrative subpoenas, including those under the Right to Financial Privacy Act; advises on constitutional warnings and rights; and advises on criminal and administrative advisements. Advises the office on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act matters and draft final decisions related to such matters. Assists the Inspector General in preparing for public, Congressional, and other external appearances of high visibility or which involve issues associated with the mission and function of the OIG. Attends such events in conjunction with OIG officials to provide legal counsel and assistance as required. Serves as the NRC and DNFSB Whistleblower Protection Coordinator, helping oversee the OIG's Whistleblower Hotline, coordinating ongoing certification with the Office of Special Counsel, and overseeing related ongoing educational efforts. Serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative for retained counsel for personnel, EEO, special counsel matters and litigation. Coordinates with the Department of Justice, the NRC Solicitor, and NRC or DNFSB attorneys, as appropriate, on litigation matters. Provides advice to OIG personnel who testify about matters within their official duties at adjudicatory proceedings and coordinates OIG's responses to discovery requests. Maintains awareness of legal developments, including legislation and judicial decisions, which may affect the OIG, the NRC, or the DNFSB. Develops and maintains professional ties within the OIG legal community and interacts with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) as needed. Identifies and completes necessary training and development activities. In the performance of assigned duties, may be required to handle, review, access, and/or protect classified, sensitive, or other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.

Qualifications: Basic Requirements: You must be a current member of a Bar in good standing admitted to practice before any court of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the highest court of any State, territory, or possession of the United States. Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic entry requirements listed above, you must demonstrate at least 1 year of specialized experience that is indicative of senior level capability. You must also have expert knowledge of, and experience interpreting and applying, federal laws such as the Inspector General Act of 1978 and its amendments, the Administrative Procedure Act, FOIA, the Privacy Act, equal employment opportunity and personnel statutes whistleblowers protection laws, the Administrative False Claims Act, the Atomic Energy Act, and the Energy Reorganization Act. You must also have extensive experience conducting legal research, preparing legal papers, and reviewing documents for legal sufficiency. Additionally, you must have expertise in assessing judicial decisions, government regulations, and case law in a manner that allows you to independently and objectively advise OIG staff on a wide range of matters. Typically, at least one year of this experience should be comparable in complexity and responsibility to the kind of work normally assigned at the grade 15 level or higher in the federal service, or equivalent. Evaluation Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated on the criteria listed below. Your resume should include information that is clear, concise, and emphasizes your level of responsibilities; the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or issues involved; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions as they relate to the evaluation criteria. In addition to your resume, you may use the available space provided to supply additional information regarding your qualifications for this position. The ideal candidate for this position will have the following: Broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of both general and OIG-specific legal standards, including those found in federal law and judicial precedents. Expertise in the areas of criminal and administrative law, especially as these areas relate to the types of audits and investigations conducted by an OIG Broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of both general and NRC- and DNFSB-specific legal principles and practices, including the agencies' foundational statutes and related law. Similar knowledge and understanding of other laws and regulations pertaining to the work of each agency, as well as applicable judicial precedents. In-depth knowledge and understanding of the overall OIG mission and function; comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of independent Offices of Inspectors General; and in-depth knowledge of the OIG's operational environment and relationships with Congress' other Federal, State, and local organizations; the nuclear industry, and external interest groups. General understanding of basic principles, terms, and concepts associated with the OIG's audits and investigations programs and the ability to absorb, integrate, and synthesize complex technical and legal information in providing effective legal counsel, guidance, and support to these activities. NOTE: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.

How to Apply: We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position. Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission. To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-16