Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services)

Summary With nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. To learn more, click the links below: IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site Meet Our People Learn about our Legal Divisions Responsibilities The Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) assists and acts for the Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services) in coordinating and directing all activities of the General Legal Services (GLS) organizational component of the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service. Comprising a staff of approximately 80 professional and support employees in Washington, D.C., and in field locations across the country, GLS handles legal work that is not directly involved in Federal tax issues. The Deputy assists the Associate on all matters related to ethics, conflicts of interest, fiscal and appropriations issues, delegations of authority, Federal procurement, and other statutory questions and issues and provides direct supervision to the Branch Chiefs overseeing these matters. He/she is delegated the authority and responsibility to perform as a full Deputy, including authority to sign on all matters over which the Associate has authority, and with special focus on planning, directing, and coordinating the administrative and management policies and programs of the office, and serving as liaison to the budgetary, information technology, and management committees of the Chief Counsel and the IRS Commissioner (Commissioner). On an as needed and continuing basis, the Deputy directly provides legal advice to all levels of the IRS and has supervisory responsibility for a Branch Chief with Top Secret clearance in connection with the review of agreements between the IRS and other National Security and military agencies which contain classified information. These matters may also include interaction with the Department of Treasury. Additionally, the Deputy provides advice and technical assistance on other matters, including those involving Criminal investigation (CI), contract and technology, and Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) related matters for which a top-secret clearance is required. Therefore, a Critical Sensitive clearance is required for this position. MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE (yet not limited to): Collaborates closely with the Associate and has full authority to make decisions on matters under the Deputy's jurisdiction which includes ethics, conflicts of interest, fiscal and appropriations issues, delegations of authority, Federal procurement, and other statutory questions and issues that are not directly related to the tax code. Works closely with the Associate on the most difficult, important and complex matters arising in the administration of assigned program areas. Directs or personally performs exhaustive and detailed research on especially complicated problems or issues, and reviews or prepares recommendations as to the position to be taken by the office, including recommendations to the Department of Justice regarding litigation preferences and positions, appeals, certiorari, and all other legal activities on behalf of the IRS or Office of Chief Counsel. Plans, directs, and coordinates the administrative and management policies and programs of the office, serving as liaison to various committees of the Chief Counsel and the Commissioner. Oversees the representation of the Chief Counsel and Commissioner in formal and informal proceedings related to non-tax legal issues and cases, including bid protests contract claims, and other government contract proceedings before the General Accounting Office, United States Court of Federal Claims and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. Participates with the Associate and the other GLS Deputy in formulating short- and long-range program policies, strategies, and objectives for the GLS division. Participates in the design and development of integrated policies, programs, systems and strategies. Assists the Associate in providing executive leadership and direction to professional and support personnel through subordinate executives and managers. Delegates sufficient authority to subordinates to effectively manage their resources and to seek continuous improvement by providing a supportive environment for creativity and innovation and to support equal employment opportunity initiatives and goals. Acts for the Associate in the absence of the Associate. When acting is such capacity, assumes complete responsibility for the activities of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (General Legal Services). Performs other duties, as assigned, and delegated, by the Associate, Chief Counsel and/or Deputy Chief Counsels. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position of Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (GLS), you must meet the following requirements: Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 7 years of professional legal experience is desired. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability. The ideal candidate will have experience supervising many employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature is at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume that shows you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages. If selected for this position you will be required to address each ECQ during a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Written narratives for the ECQs are not required. Current and former career SES employees, and OPM Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates are exempt to address the ECQs. By statute, OPM prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to evaluate executive experience and not technical expertise. The following ECQs provide the focus for certification of executive core qualifications for initial appointment to the Senior Executive Service. Your two-page resume should show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications listed below: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Additional information on ECQs is in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Results model outlined in the guide, to prepare for the structured interview. Written narratives for the ECQs are not required; however, applicants must be prepared to address each ECQs in a structured interview with the QRB. In addition to the ECQs, candidates must address Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs). MTQs are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their two-page resume, experience and accomplishments related to the MTQs below: MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Experience as an attorney handling highly complex legal issues including legal aspects in one or more of the following areas: Federal procurement, ethics, conflicts of interest, fiscal and appropriations issues, delegations of authority, and other statutory questions and issues. Demonstrated ability to develop nationwide strategies and provide dedicated support and legal advice to high profile significant IRS top ranking officials and provide effective quality legal services to both internal and external customers Desirable: A thorough understanding of the operations and organization of the Internal Revenue Service and Office of Chief Counsel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. Education For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information Relocation expenses may be authorized if eligible, for current federal employees. This is a non-bargaining unit position. We offer opportunities for telework. We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules. Conditions of Employment Continued: Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed). You will serve a one-year Senior Executive Service (SES) probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES. 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. Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. 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. Public Trust (85PS) Background Investigation required Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Undergo an income tax verification. The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns. This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into

Created: 2026-04-30