Chief Counsel (Foreign Assets Control)

Summary This position serves as Chief Counsel for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the Office of the General Counsel and reports to the Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement & Intelligence. This position is responsible for advising OFAC leadership on the implementation and enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions, leads a professional legal staff, and coordinates sanctions-related legal matters across Treasury and the U.S. Government. Responsibilities As the OFAC Chief Counsel, you will: Serve as the direct supervisor for subordinate managers and lead an office of professional attorney advisors and administrative staff responsible for providing comprehensive legal and operational support to OFAC. This includes overseeing legal research, the production of high-quality written work, and the development of legal and practical conclusions delivered through oral advice, briefings, presentations, and legal decision memoranda on highly complex factual, legal, and policy issues. Exercise sound judgment and discretion in directing, planning, and managing the office's legal work, and coordinate sanctions-related legal matters with counsel across the Department of the Treasury and the broader U.S. Government. Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professional experience. Apply original and strategic thinking not only to legal analysis, but also to legal recommendations supporting policy formulation. Demonstrate outstanding legal research, analytical, and writing skills, along with strong critical-thinking abilities and the capacity to develop effective, original, and practical solutions to complex legal and operational challenges. Successful candidates will bring extensive relevant experience reflecting exceptional leadership and excellence in professional practice. Plan, direct, and oversee the provision of high-quality legal support for U.S. sanctions programs, including matters of exceptional difficulty, sensitivity, and national significance, often under time-sensitive conditions. Work closely with and under the direction of the Assistant General Counsel on highly complex matters with limited precedent, and provide clear, well-reasoned legal analysis and recommendations to senior policymakers, including the OFAC Director. In coordination with the Assistant General Counsel and senior Legal Division leadership, oversee the analysis, interpretation, and application of the Constitution, statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, proposed legislation, court decisions, departmental precedents, policies, and technical publications relevant to OFAC's mission, including but not limited to: Ensure the accuracy and consistency of legal advice as applied to OFAC's operations. International Emergency Economic Powers Act Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act Trading with the Enemy Act United Nations Participation Act Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act USA PATRIOT Act Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act National Emergencies Act Administrative Procedure Act Freedom of Information Act Trade Secrets Act Conflicts of laws and constitutional law Represent the Legal Division in discussions, conferences, and meetings with U.S. and international law enforcement and regulatory authorities, including European Union authorities, the Intelligence Community, other federal, state, and local agencies, regulatory and supervisory bodies, financial industry representatives, and professional associations. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Must have graduated from an accredited law school. Must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia. A one-year SES probationary period is required, if not previously completed. An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period. Must successfully complete personnel security vetting (e.g., investigation, evaluation, and adjudication). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency. Must have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer 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. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. File a Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Disclosure of Political Appointments. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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, 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 (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), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)

Created: 2026-02-13