Closing Date: 27th July, 2026
Description:
Summary:This position is located in the FMCSA Office of the Chief Counsel. The Deputy Chief Counsel provides oversight in the development and execution of the agency's comprehensive legal programs, policies, and services.
Duties:
The Deputy Chief Counsel directs the activities of the Chief Counsel staff and is responsible for ensuring consistent and timely legal counsel to FMCSA. The Deputy serves as the liaison on all legal issues handled by the Office of the Chief Counsel, to include those involving enforcement, regulatory, legislative, and international activities. The Deputy Chief Counsel provides technical direction and professional guidance to the attorneys within each of the four FMCSA service centers. The Deputy directs the assignment of specific legal projects, advises on legal approaches involving complex and novel issues, adjudicates conflicting opinions, coordinates issues that require action by multiple action officers, and reviews work both emanating from and referred to the Office of the Chief Counsel.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
- Provide all required documents by closing date.
- A Secret clearance is required.
Conditions of Employment:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
- Probationary Period: Complete a one-year SES probationary period (unless already completed).
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) 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 (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) or are exempt from having to do so. (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)
- Security Clearance: You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
- Presentation: Applicants may be asked to prepare and present a presentation, provide a
- presentation on a scenario-based situation or a similar activity as a part of the applicant evaluation
- process.
- Writing Sample: A writing sample may be required.
- Drug Test: This is a drug testing position. You will be required to complete a drug test upon entry of this position and are subjected to at random drug testing.
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.
Technical Qualifications (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ 1. Demonstrated experience serving as a senior-level legal expert on enforcement, regulatory, or legislative activities, including the ability to represent and defend positions pertaining to statutes and regulations to a variety of stakeholders both inside and outside of government, in negotiation, litigation, briefings, public presentations, or other settings.
TQ 2. Demonstrated senior management experience in planning, developing, administering, and directing an organization providing legal services. This includes supervision of attorneys, and supporting professional staff, overall responsibility for short- and long-range program planning, allocation of human and material resources, development of operational guidelines and policies, and creation of new methods and measures to solve complex management problems.
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.
There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
- Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights (https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/compact-council/guiding-principles-noncriminal-justice-applicants-privacy-rights), for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
- FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/privacy-act-statement-9-9-13.pdf/view#:~:text=This%20privacy%20act%20statement%20provides,the%20FD%2D258%20fingerprint%20card.) (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
- SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov) (https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/privacy-act-statement-9-9-13.pdf/view#:~:text=This%20privacy%20act%20statement%20provides,the%20FD%2D258%20fingerprint%20card.), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"
Education:
In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and possess a professional law degree or have completed a structured, multi-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge.
Additionally, candidates mus
