Summary
Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, seeks enthusiastic individuals to serve taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS. Please click "Learn more about this agency" to find out more about Chief Counsel's various offices, to view some of the workplace attributes that Chief Counsel's workforce rates most favorably, and to hear from employees themselves.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
- Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency.
Clarification from the agency
Open to Chief Counsel employees only.
Duties
The Senior Level Counsel serves as the lead technical expert and confidential advisor to the Associate Chief Counsel, Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes (EEE). The incumbent represents the Associate in the regulations, revenue ruling, letter ruling and litigation processes, and acts as a personal consultant to EEE executives on a variety of legal, technical, and tax matters in the qualified retirement plans area of expertise. The incumbent represents and acts for the Associate in a close and confidential capacity and serves as a program manager and technical senior advisor to the Associate Chief Counsel on a broad array of activities designed to fulfill Counsel's responsibilities to prepare, review, and assist in the preparation of proposed legislation, and to provide legal support to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In this capacity, the incumbent serves as an Office representative and liaison with IRS, and Treasury on significant matters in litigation, in the coordination and development of high impact public and private tax guidance and on the important legal opinion work of the Office.
Because of outstanding stature in the tax law field, the incumbent's opinions are recognized as especially authoritative, sought after, and given special weight. As such, the incumbent assists senior executives in the formulation of policies and programs for the operation of the Office of Chief Counsel and performs special assignments of the highest complexity and impact on a case or project. The Senior Level Counsel represents the Office of Chief Counsel (Counsel) and acts as a personal consultant to Counsel and IRS executives on a broad array of legal, technical, and complex tax matters. The Senior Level Counsel provides legal advice to the IRS on such matters, including providing programmatic oversight for matters within EEE jurisdiction involving Qualified Retirement Plans. The Senior Level Counsel coordinates these matters with internal and external stakeholders, including all IRS and Counsel organizations, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of the Treasury (Treasury).
Major Duties and Responsibilities - Acts as a legal and technical expert to Counsel executives on the most difficult, important, and complex professional legal matters arising in the administration of the internal revenue laws.
- Advises on a broad array of activities designed to fulfill Counsel's responsibilities to prepare, review, and assist in the preparation of proposed legislation.
- Manages highly complex and significant special projects in Qualified Retirement Plans: rules for qualified retirement plans; certain employee annuity plans; individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and Roth IRAs; certain eligible deferred compensation plans; governmental plans; church plans; exemption from tax for qualified retirement plan trusts; taxation of distributions from qualified retirement plans; withholding rules for designated distributions from retirement arrangements; penalties and excise taxes related to qualified retirement plan failures.
- Selecting and reviewing proposals; monitoring work groups' needs and progress, and facilitating and expediting recommendations regarding these matters through the decision-making process.
- Personally, represents the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (EEE) and Counsel, at top level IRS and Treasury meetings and conferences and in meetings with executives from other agencies where policy is developed and determined. Such representations are for the purposes of furthering, setting forth, and explaining the position of Counsel, the IRS, and Treasury.
- Performs exhaustive and detailed research on complicated legal problems and prepares recommendations as to the position to be taken by Counsel. Makes such recommendations without review except for cases that the incumbent feels require higher-level review or as otherwise specifically directed.
- Coordinates the participation of Counsel in the development of high-level reports and studies for use by Treasury and/or Congress. As requested, assists in the preparation and drafting of testimony for Congressional hearings and prepares responses to ad hoc requests from Congress and related legislative bodies.
- Reviews and advises on the impact of pending litigation, proposed legislation, or public guidance.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Refer to "Additional Information"
- Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Qualifications
To qualify for this position of Senior Level Counsel 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.
- Desired Education/Experience: An LL.M. in Taxation is desired but not required. 7 years of professional legal tax experience is desired.
To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position, candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 grade level or its equivalent in Federal service. Candidates must demonstrate their experience in the narrative responses to the Mandatory Technical Qualifications; and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below. This specialized experience should also be reflected within the resume.
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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs):
All candidates must show evidence of the following mandatory technical competencies to meet basic qualifications for this position. The narrative statements should demonstrate your specialized knowledge and technical competence. Please give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge and skills you possess. You should address each MTQ separately, with the total narrative not exceeding ten pages.
Mandatory
- Comprehensive in-depth expert knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, Federal tax statutes and regulations, decisions, rulings, precedents, and IRS tax policies.
- Demonstrated ability and experience providing legal advice and guidance on qualified retirement plans matters, assisting with formulation of compliance efforts, settlement initiatives, and litigation strategies, and overseeing investigations and suits.
- Demonstrated expert knowledge and substantial high-level experience in the tax field, including the tax legislation and guidance processes, tax litigation, or transactional work.
- Demonstrated ability to research complex legal issues and analyze and forecast the ramifications of alternative resolutions or courses of action.
- Manages highly complex and significant special projects in Qualified Retirement Plans: rules for qualified retirement plans; certain employee annuity plans; individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and Roth IRAs; certain eligible deferred compensation plans; governmental plans; church plans; exemption from tax for qualified retirement plan trusts; taxation of distributions from qualified retirement plans; withholding rules for designated distributions from retirement arrangements; penalties and excise taxes related to qualified retirement plan failures.
(Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being rated ineligible.) Narrative responses to the MTQs and Desirable Qualifications should not be more than two pages for each. Please provide responses to MTQs and Desirable Qualifications each on separate sheets of paper.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .
Additional information
- Relocation expenses may be authorized if eligible and in accordance with agency policy.
- This is aNon-Bargainingunit position.
- We offer opportunities for telework.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- The salary range indicated in this announcement covers multiple locality areas.
Conditions of Employment Continued: - Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed).
- 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 "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time.
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)"
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be considered based on their overall background as it relates to the position to be filled. Interviews may be held at the option of the office. All application materials and interviews, if conducted, will be used in the final evaluation and selection process. Candidates found minimally qualified will be further evaluated by an Executive Resources Board based on the extent and quality of their experience. Appropriate consideration will be given for job-related training, education, awards, publications, and supervisory appraisals of job performance. Interviews of applicants may be held at the option of the Board.
Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview, such as travel to and from the interview site.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. - Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
A complete application includes 1. A resume 2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) 3. Vacancy question responses and 3. Submission of any required documents.
Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.) To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view resume tips . Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.
2. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you MUST address each Mandatory Technical Qualification separately, not to exceed a total of ten (10) pages. If you fail to do so, your application will be rated ineligible. Please include your full name on all documents submitted.
3. VACANCY QUESTION RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
4. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: In addition, applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation:
- Memorandum of Interest summarizing your interest in the position.
- A Supervisory Report (ERB Form 1-88, 4/11) regarding your suitability for the position as completed by your current or most recent supervisor. You are responsible for notifying your supervisor that this report must be received no later than five workdays after the closing date of this announcement.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: If selected, you will be required to submit an original Certificate of Good Standing from your State Bar if not already received by the agency. - How to Apply
The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 04/25/2024 and/or cut-off dates in this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 am. to 4:30 pm. ET, Monday - Friday). To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12341939 - To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
- It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
- Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center .
Agency contact information
Carrie Middleton
Phone
202-317-6578
Fax
855-562-3827
Email
ERBCC@irscounsel.treas.gov
Address
Office of Chief Counsel, IRS
Staffing and Classification Branch
1111 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20224
US
Learn more about this agency
Next steps
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ . - Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. - Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
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