General Counsel, National Guard Bureau

A Government Entity

  • Arlington, VA
  • Not Specified
  • Full Time
  • SES-12833469-25-KH
  • 184,363 - 225,700 / Yearly
  • Not Specified
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Closing Date: 1st December, 2025

Description:

Summary:
This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, National Guard Bureau (NGB). The incumbent directly reports to the Chief, NGB, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Department of Defense (DoD) Component Head.

Duties:
The incumbent leads a large, select, staff of attorneys, paralegals, and support personnel assigned to the Office of the General Counsel, NGB and performs the following major duties:
  • Has primary responsibility for the overall leadership and management of all elements of the Office of the General Counsel. Serve as the most senior attorney in the National Guard functional community, and provide legal policy guidance and functional management to over 1,000 National Guard attorneys, legal administrators, and paralegals.
  • Provide advice to the Chief, NGB; the Vice-CNGB; the NGB Joint Staff; the Directors of the Army and Air National Guards; the Adjutants General of the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia; full-time State Judge Advocates; United States Property and Fiscal Officers; the General Counsels of the Department of Defense, Army, and Air Force; the Offices of the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates General; the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Combatant Commands; the Department of Justice; the White House Counsel; Members of Congress and their professional staffs; and other federal and state agencies regarding all legal matters and services performed within, or involving, the non-federalized activities of the National Guard.
  • Provide legal advice to facilitate CNGB's role as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense through the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters regarding the non-federalized activities of the National Guard.
  • Serve as CNGB's personal representative for National Guard legal issues that require coordination with the Adjutants General or full-time State Judge Advocates; the General Counsels of the Department of Defense, Army, and Air Force; and the Offices of the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates General. This includes representing the CNGB at the enterprise and peer level with the General Counsels of the Department of Defense and the Services.
  • Assist in the development and review of proposed federal legislation and present necessary drafts, reports, comments, and testimony to appropriate state and federal committees, commissions, and organizations that impact NGB missions, tasks, and functions.
  • Interface with senior DoD civilian and military officials. Regularly brief and/or attend official and social functions with State Governors, Members of Congress, business and civic leaders, and other senior government officials in an official capacity as the General Counsel.
  • Supervise legal services performed by subordinate attorneys and paralegals in the Office of the General Counsel, including administrative oversight for those attached to NORTHCOM, Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Army National Guard Primary Education Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Determine the adherence of Army National Guard judge advocates across the National Guard to appropriate professional responsibility standards and oversee the professional legal training of over 2400 National Guard attorneys and paralegals.
  • Provide for the coordination of significant legal issues with the Department of Justice and with other federal, state and local legal departments, administrative agencies, and judicial bodies on litigation matters involving the non-federalized activities of the National Guard and other interagency and intergovernmental legal matters in which NGB has an interest.
  • Manage the NGB Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.
  • Serve as the proponent for all Air National Guard and Army National Guard legal matters and policies as they pertain to the NGB.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
  • All newly appointed Career SES leaders must sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
  • In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
  • Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 12/01/2025
  • The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
  • You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
  • 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.

Qualifications:
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 be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

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.

Do NOT submit a separate 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: Broad legal expertise and experience addressing the legal issues arising from the missions of the Department of Defense, preferably with regard to the National Guard. This includes expert knowledge of the authorities and responsibilities of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and title 32, United States Code, and a thorough understanding of the complex state and federal authorities and responsibilities of the Adjutants General of the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia and its relationship with the Services and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

TQ 2: Diversified legal experience dealing with highly complex military issues, particularly in reserve component matters. Such experience should include legal analysis, litigation, and providing legal counsel and advice, preferably in a military setting. Ability to interpret and apply statutes and administrative regulations to advise senior leadership on legal implications of proposed actions. Demonstrated superior writing and oral communication skills with clear and concise analysis.

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.
  • Sub-Competencies:
  • Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.
  • Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.
  • Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a 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.