Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (FIP)

As the Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products) the incumbent of this position assists and acts for the Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products (FIP)) as a full deputy in the overall executive direction of the legal work performed by professional and support staff in the Washington DC headquarters. The work involves providing legal advisory services that support uniform interpretation application enforcement and litigation of tax laws involving the taxation of financial institutions (banks thrift institutions insurance companies regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts) financial products (annuities original issue discount obligations hedges swaps options futures bonds and forwards) and tax-exempt and tax credit bonds. The incumbent works closely with Treasury officials and IRS Division Commissioners and other Associate and Division Counsel on program matters.

MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE (yet not limited to):

• Assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as senior legal advisor and expert consultant to Internal Revenue Service Division Commissioners the Chief Counsel and other top-ranking IRS and Treasury officials on the most difficult important and complex issues regulations and needs relating to financial institutions and products and on other selected legal issues. Represents these officials on sensitive and controversial issues related to these areas.
• Assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as principal legal advisor to the Chief Counsel Deputy Chief Counsel(s) other Division Counsel and other Chief Counsel and IRS executives in issues and programs involving banks thrift institutions insurance companies and products regulated investment companies real estate investment trusts annuities original issue discount obligations and other types of financial instruments and entities. Provides technical interpretation of the tax code and determines the legal position of the IRS in these and other designated program areas.
• In accordance with delegations of authority from the Chief Counsel and in consultation with the Division Counsel exercises other responsibilities in designated areas including (but not limited to): designating cases for litigation; approving the defense or settlement of cases pending in the U. S. Tax Court; reviewing and coordinating pleadings motions briefs settlement documents notices of appeal and other material prepared in connection with Tax Court litigation; approving recommendations of acquiescence and nonacquiescence in adverse decisions in tax litigation; and coordinating all other necessary litigation matters.
• Collaborates closely with the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) and when acting for him/her has full authority to make decisions on any problems arising in the administration of the designated areas of responsibility including authority for signature on all matters on which the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) has authority. Either directs or personally performs exhaustive and detailed research on complicated problems or cases and reviews or prepares recommendations as to the position to be taken by the Associate Chief Counsel(FIP).
• Actively assists the organization with program design and management. Identifies emerging issues appropriate for issue management including strategic litigation; assists the organization in addressing non-compliant market segments by assisting with the development and implementation of compliance approaches and strategies including education and assistance with examinations; and collaborates to build cooperative partnerships with customers and stakeholders.
• Assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as full partners with IRS counterparts in formulating short and long range program policies strategies and objectives for the organization to implement overall IRS strategy and vision. Participates in the design and development of integrated policies programs systems and strategies that effectively provide superior customer service and ensures fairness and equity in enforcement for financial institutions.
• Assists in directing and overseeing the overall management of FIPs legal this regard assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in providing continuing coordination control and direction of FIP operations to assure that Chief Counsel objectives policies procedures and programs are implemented fully and effectively including the development of programs and their evaluation in terms of effectiveness efficiency comprehensiveness and timeliness.
• Serves as an acting Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) on operational matters when so designated during the absence or unavailability of the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP).

Conditions of employment

• Refer to Additional Information
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• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Qualifications

To qualify for this position of Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) 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. Seven (7) years of professional legal tax 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:

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.
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.
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.
4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organizations 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.
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.

In addition to the ECQs candidates must address Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs). MTQs are designed to assess an applicants 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:

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs):

1. Position requires a thorough and comprehensive legal knowledge and a broad technical knowledge of tax laws legal administration and functions of the Internal Revenue Service with an emphasis on the tax laws affecting financial institutions and products (e.g. banks thrift institutions insurance companies and products regulated investment companies real estate investment trusts annuities original issue discount obligations and other types of financial instruments and entities).
2. 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:

1. 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.