Closing Date: 31st July, 2026
Description:
Summary:The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
Duties:
The Office of the Secretary and General Counsel (SG) provides effective, sound, and innovative legal counsel to a single client, the National Gallery of Art, as it pursues its vision to be “Of the nation and for all the people.” We ensure that the National Gallery meets the complex legal requirements and obligations inherent to an entity with a unique Federal and private status. We also play a role in risk management and mitigation. Some of the work that SG performs includes negotiating agreements, managing disputes, preparing policies, and providing legal advice on matters. In our work, we value integrity, innovation, and community, as well as the National Gallery's educational mission.
Duties for this position include
- Research and advises on issues concerning trusts and estates, gifts and bequests, and donations, and reviews and drafts pertinent documents.
- Drafts a wide range of contracts, including agreements for conservators, educational consultants, performers, lecturers, translators, and photographers.
- Research and advise on issues related to non-profit tax issues. When appropriate, recommends and develops policies and procedures to address relevant tax questions and/or issues.
- Advises the Secretary to the Board of Trustees in researching governance issues and preparing for Committee and Board meetings.
- Advises Gallery officers and employees as to their obligations and rights on all legal aspects of their official duties.
- Research and advise on a variety of legal issues in the areas of intellectual property, administrative law, new technologies, commercial and residential leases, torts, and employment. Reviews and drafts internal Gallery policies relating to a variety of issues including but not limited to, operations, staff responsibilities and loan procedures
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Must be a member of State/DC Bar Association
- Must have a J.D from an accredited law school
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.
Qualifications:
Basic Reuirements;
- possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and
- be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
- be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.
GS 13- Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or private sector, independently advising on trusts and estates for a large complex organization. Experience with gifts and bequests, contracts or taxes.
GS 14- Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service or private sector, as subject matter expert advising on trusts and estates for a large complex organization. Experience with gifts and bequests, contracts or taxes.
OPM Qualifications Standard:
Individual Occupational Requirements: General Attorney Series 0905 (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0900/general-attorney-series-0905/) Associated Group standard: None
Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Must be a memeber of State/DC bar association and have a J.D from an accredited law school. Documentation required.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education:
- possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and
- be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
- be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. (http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html)
Additional Information:
The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Equal employment opportunity policy (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.usajobs.gov%2Fequal-employment-opportunity%3F_gl%3D1*1t29i79*_ga*ODMyMzM0MzY2LjE3NjgzMzU0MTc.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODM0Mzk0MDkkbzQxJGcxJHQxNzgzNDM5Nzk1JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..&data=05%7C02%7C%7C9eee0b80f3ce4a0aee5c08dedc4111b2%7C53f6461e95ad4b08a8da973e49ae9312%7C0%7C0%7C639190369207013246%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mtti8su1V8subyODwSloiIQ9RW7T6gw%2BraG%2Fy%2F0kYC4%3D&reserved=0)
More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
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.
- Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation
- Veterans Information: http://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans
- Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility
requirements visit the following websites:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A (http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring#url=Schedule-A-Hiring-Authority)
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans (http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx)
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses (http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shams/index.aspx)
- Other Special Appointment Authorities (http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-o
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