Closing Date: 6th November, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The HHS Office of the General Counsel seeks an accomplished attorney to serve as Deputy Associate General Counsel for the Children, Families, and Aging Division. This leader manages the Office of Refugee Resettlement legal team and portfolio; oversees federal and administrative litigation, regulatory matters, and legal advice; coordinates assignments and reviews with ORR; and trains and onboards attorneys and detailees supporting the portfolio.

Duties:
Serves as the Deputy Associate General Counsel for the Children, Families, and Aging Division (CFAD), providing legal counsel and representation for programs administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Administration for Community Living (ACL). Advises HHS leadership and program officials on complex legal, policy, regulatory, grants, and administrative law matters and works with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on federal litigation involving HHS programs. Oversees litigation strategy, legal review of regulations, policies and guidance, and assessment of litigation risk associated with Department initiatives.

Shares responsibility with the Associate General Counsel for managing the Division and supervises attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, including assigning work, evaluating performance, recruiting and developing staff, and planning Division resources and priorities. Leads and coordinates CFAD's Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) legal portfolio, including federal and administrative litigation, regulatory matters, and legal advice, and serves as a primary liaison between ORR and OGC. Represents OGC and HHS in working with DOJ, other federal and state agencies, and stakeholders on significant legal matters affecting children, families, aging, refugee resettlement, and human services programs.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Subject to a 1-year SES probationary period (unless already completed).
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
Appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result and be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.
File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree
Active Membership or admission to the bar is required

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 - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. 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 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: Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing sensitive, complex, and often precedent setting policy issues involving children, families, and aging matters.

TQ 2: Demonstrated leadership experience directing an effective cadre of lawyers and supporting personnel, setting appropriate priorities, and ensuring that the organization meets clients' needs for a high functioning litigation group handling a large volume of extremely complex, high-priority litigation.

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.
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 OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), 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.

Education:
Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree.

and

Licensure:
Applicants must be licensed and authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining "active" status to practice law. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States where the licensing authority considers "good standing" as having a current license to practice law.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.

Additional Information:
HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Mobility:
Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement

Preferred Experience:
Preferred candidates will have substantial experience handling complex litigation in federal district and appellate courts, including matters arising under the Administrative Procedure Act and federal statutes. Experience developing litigation strategy and coordinating with the Department of Justice; managin