Closing Date: 23rd January, 2026
Description:
Summary:The General Counsel (GC) position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Department of Justice, in Washington, DC. The GC serves as the principal legal advisor to the Inspector General, and provides oversight, guidance and direction regarding OIG legal matters. The GC supervises six attorneys, five Government Information Specialists, and other staff with the objective of providing a cohesive, full-service legal team.
Duties:
The General Counsel is a member of the Senior Executive Service and OIG's senior leadership team and provides consultation and advice to the IG and other OIG staff. The General Counsel also provides executive leadership over the day-to-day administration and operations of OGC. The General Counsel establishes OGC's priorities and develops the plan for accomplishing OGS's mission, including exercising the following responsibilities:
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
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 (ECQ) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ).
It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments, and results. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.
In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, you must possess the following Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications:
- Provides legal opinions or memoranda on complex and difficult issues of law relevant to general OIG operations, or to particular OIG audits, investigations, inspections or reviews, which encompass criminal, national security, ethics, and other issues.
- Formulates and recommends OIG positions on proposed or new legislation that affect OIG authorities or equities. Identifies and integrates key legal issues and legislation affecting the functions and work of the OIG.
- Serves as the Designated Ethics Official (DAEO); executes the OIG Ethics Program, ensuring accurate reporting of financial interests by suspense dates established in law, rule or regulations; effective annual ethics training; and timely responsive ethics advice and information to OIG employees.
- Oversees the analyses and preparation of OIG responses to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and reviews OIG reports for Privacy Act protected and proprietary information to clear such reports for public release.
- Engages in the consultation and coordination of OIG investigations, to include preparing recommendations for suspensions and debarment actions by the Department against financially irresponsible parties doing business with the Department.
- Engages in the review and preparation of recommendations for OIG responses to subpoenas and other requests for production of materials in OIG custody. Reviews OIG investigators' requests for IG subpoenas for documents, records, and tangible things to be issued to third-parties; prepares recommendations to the IG as to whether the subpoenas should be issued; and assists in obtaining court orders, under the Right to Financial Privacy Act or otherwise, as may be required.
- Oversees the preparation of OIG's responses to Giglio inquiries by United States Attorneys' Offices.
- Engages to provide the necessary legal input on Department and Congressional inquiries relating to OIG matters.
- Participates in the overall management and supervision of the OGC; assigns special projects and workload, determines staffing requirements, and exercises executive management authority in carrying out the functions and activities of the OGC.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI 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.
- Incumbent will be subject to initial and random drug testing.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable. 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.
- Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested.
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 (ECQ) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ).
It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments, and results. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.
In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, you must possess the following Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications:
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)
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:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (https://www.ed.gov/accreditation)
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing in any state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia,
Additional Information:
Conditions of Employment: Only U.S. Citizens or Nationals are eligible for employment. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ applicants, both U.
- Thorough knowledge of legal principles and federal law, including familiarity with the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, employment law, contract law, and federal ethics regulations.
- Extensive experience analyzing complex legal issues, making statutory interpretations, and developing sound legal decisions and recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage personnel, coordinate program efforts with other internal and external offices, represent the Office of the Inspector General to key individuals and groups outside the immediate work unit, as well as serve as spokesperson for the organization.
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:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (https://www.ed.gov/accreditation)
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing in any state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia,
Additional Information:
Conditions of Employment: Only U.S. Citizens or Nationals are eligible for employment. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ applicants, both U.
