Summary
The "Required Documents" section of this announcement identifies all documents that must be uploaded in order to be considered a complete application package. Applicants who do not submit a complete application package will receive an incomplete application rating. Incomplete packages will not receive further consideration. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please reach out to the Executive Consultant listed in the "Agency Contact" section below.
Clarification from the agency
Open to All U.S. Citizens
Duties
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of the General Counsel is looking for a dynamic, innovative, seasoned executive to lead and provide legal counsel to the ARPA-E Director and Deputy Directors and associated staff. Serve as a supervisor and senior legal specialist in providing information, counsel, advice, opinions, and determinations to ARPA-E management.
As the Chief Counsel you will:
- Lead and provide legal, policy and business support for ARPA-E's process of competing, awarding, and implementing research awards, including drafting RFIs, Merit Review Plans, R&D Funding Opportunity Announcements.
- Lead and provide legal support in awardees, and negotiation and administration of resulting awards (e.g., grants and cooperative agreements).
- Lead and provide legal support of ARPA-E's Science and Engineering Support Services (SETA) procurement contract.
- Provide legal advice to ARPA-E leadership and contracting team on contract completion, negotiations, interpretation, conflict of interest affecting contractor employees, and contract amendments.
- Lead and provide legal support for ARPA-E's Small Business Investment Research (SBIR) Program, including competing and awarding SBIR research projects, ensuring compliance with SBA statutory and policy requirements
- Lead legal activities designed to assure adequacy and propriety in ARPA-E activities and documentation, and protection of legal rights of the Government and parties affected by ARPA-E activities on a wide variety of topics.
- Provide legal support for hiring and on-boarding ARPA-E technical and other personnel using ARPA-E's special hiring authority.
- Serve as ARPA-E's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Official responsible for addressing and responding to all FOIA requests related to ARPA-E.
- Serve as ARPA-E Audit Liaison for all audits and investigations related to ARPA-E, including by GAO and IG.
- Serve as ARPA-E's NEPA Compliance Officer, providing environmental reviews of ARPA-E projects, and leading Environmental Assessments.
Conditions of Employment
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THIS VACANCY: This is a career position in the SES. Unless the selectee is already a member of the SES with career status or has successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program certified by OPM, executive qualifications must be approved by OPM before the appointment can be effected. If you are selected, you will be responsible for working with a DOE Executive Consultant to finalize your ECQ narrative for OPM submission.
CITIZENSHIP: You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE (HSPD-12): A selectee's appointment is contingent upon compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity.
PUBLIC FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (OGE 278): If you are selected for this position, will be required to file this report prior to entry on duty in accordance with the Ethics of Government Act of 1978.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: An individual's initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a one-year probationary period.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: You must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance
DRUG TESTING: As a condition of appointment to this position, you will be subject to pre-employment/pre-appointment testing for illegal drug use under the U.S. Department of Energy Employee Drug Plan. If you are selected you will be provided information regarding drug testing. Failure to undergo testing or positive findings resulting from the test will eliminate you from further consideration for this position. If selected for and appointed to this position you will be subject to random drug testing while employed.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: All males born after December 31, 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
MOBILITY: A mobility agreement may be required based on mission needs.
BAR MEMBERSHIP: Must be a current active member in good standing of the Bar of a State or Territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Qualifications
The application process used to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. Applicants must show possession of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and any technical qualifications via resume. Your resume presented will reflect that you possess the ECQs and give a synopsis of your accomplishments . Although applicants cannot address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) separately, evidence of each must be clearly demonstrated in the five (5) page resume and throughout the entire application package. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed later in this section below must be addressed in a separate narrative.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The five (5) ECQs described below were designed to assess executive-level experiences and potential not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions.
1: Leading Change: Ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals and establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
2: Leading People: Ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals and provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
3: Results Driven: Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations, and make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
4: Business Acumen: Ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
5: Building Coalitions: Ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): As part of your application package, asupplemental narrative must be uploaded addressing each MTQ listed below. No more than one (1) page per MTQ is allowed; additional informational information will not be considered. MTQs must provide specific examples that address relevant experience and accomplishments. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following MTQs.
Failure to submit a narrative statement addressing each of the MTQs may cause your application to be deemed incomplete and not be considered.
MTQ 1: Describe your comprehensive knowledge of law, legal principles, and precedents necessary to handle complex legal and policy issues related to funding high risk research and development (R&D) programs, particularly in energy and energy-related technologies, including a demonstrated understanding of the business perspectives of both public and private sector partners, and the principles necessary to protect the Government's interests in administering such programs.
MTQ 2: Demonstrate your knowledge of legal principles and practice including federal financial assistance, federal procurement, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracting; "other transactions" agreements, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), ethics, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act, personnel law, intellectual property, administrative law, finance, and appropriations law. Inherent in this qualification is the demonstrated ability to lead negotiations and execution of highly complex financial assistance agreements and other arrangements, as well as influence senior officials.
MTQ 3: Demonstrate your skill in developing a strategy to communicate, interpret, and advocate on complex legal matters arising in a broad range of legal practice areas; provide legal advice to leadership; and assess and prioritize client and organizational needs.
Education
Must meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (L.L.B or J.D.).
You must provide a copy of your transcripts from an accredited institution. Be sure to include those transcripts directly applicable to determining your meeting the education requirements. Failure to provide proof of education will result in non-consideration for this position. OFFICIAL ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPTS will be required to be provided prior to entrance-on-duty for individuals selected.
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see Department of Education.
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 windowLearn 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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable). Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the ECQs & MTQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration.
As part of the Resume Based recruitment method, the ERB Panel conducts a structured interview for all applicants, both competitive and non-competitive, who are determined to be in the top category from the ERB Rating Panel. Based on the Panel's evaluation, applicants who are determined Best Qualified will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
Failure to meet all qualifications automatically disqualifies an applicant. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. Persons tentatively selected for appointment to SES positions must prepare their ECQ package for OPM/QRB certification. The QRB review and certification is the last critical step in the SES selection process, and all SES candidates must have their executive qualifications certified by a QRB before being appointed as career members of the SES. Eligibility for this position will be based upon a clear showing that the applicant has experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry out assignments of the position.
Veteran's Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive service (SES).
It is important you include and address all ECQs, MTQs, and accomplishments in your resume, MTQ narrative, and optional cover letter. A sample 5-page resume addressing ECQs can be viewed in the Guide to SES Qualifications (indexed at page 29-37).
Thoroughly review the following list to determine the documentation you need to submit. If you fail to submit required documentation before the announcement closes, you will be rated "ineligible." Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. ALL APPLICANTS - Five (5) page ECQ-based Resume including the following:
- Full name, mailing and email addresses, day & evening telephone numbers
- Education information including:
- Name, city, state of colleges/universities attended, major & type of degree received.
- Report only schools accredited by the accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- All work experience (paid and unpaid) including:
- Job title, duties/accomplishments, employer's name/address, start/end dates (include month, day, and year), average hours per week worked, salary
- Honors, awards, special accomplishments
Tips for preparing SES applications. We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions.
2. ALL APPLICANTS - MTQ Narrative (no more than one page per MTQ, using 1 inch margins and 12 point font size).
3. Current or former career SES members must provide a SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
4. Applicants who have successfully completed an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their certification.
5. Current or former Federal Civilian employees, must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (non-award) documenting the following: 1) Full position title; 2) appointment type; 3) occupational series; 4) pay plan, grade, and step; 5) tenure code; 6) service computation date (SCD).
6. ALL APPLICANTS - If positive education requirement: you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or a separate course listing showing the course title, department, hours earned (quarters or semester), and grade. If you have completed any part of your education outside of the U.S., you must submit the evaluation of your foreign education that has been prepared by an accredited organization. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) can provide a list of who can evaluate your foreign education. For additional information, visit Department of Education.
7. Optional - cover letter (one page maximum).
NOTE:
- All documents must be uploaded into the system; USAJobs Resume Builder resumes will not be accepted.
- Separate written narratives addressing the ECQs will not be considered.
- Pages submitted in excess of the limits described above will not be considered. Substituting pages for other required documents in the application is not acceptable (e.g., submitting only a four-page resume but adding an additional page to address an MTQ).
- Do not use borders, provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.
- If you are selected for this position, you may be asked to provide additional documentation to verify your responses.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. Faxed or e-mailed applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. Requests for extensions will not be granted.
All statements made in this application are subject to investigation and any false or dishonest answer to any question may be grounds for disqualification and loss of consideration. If your resume does not support the responses in your application questionnaire, or if you fail to submit required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.
The application process is as follows:
- You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
- To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
- You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; 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/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Next steps
You may check your application status any time after the announcement closes. USAJOBS has added an alert setting to the system to drive status updates notification for applicants. We recommend that you update your USAJOBS profile to receive these status updates via email after the announcement closes. We will continue to update your status on-line as changes are made. Applicants who meet the mandatory ECQs and MTQs will be evaluated by a panel of senior executives.
Once a candidate has been identified for selection, reference checks may be completed. The Department's appointing official(s) will make a final approval of the selection, and in competitive cases, OPM's Qualifications Review Board (QRB) must certify the ECQs before final appointment can occur. If OPM/QRB certification is required, the candidate identified for selection is required to prepare their ECQ package for OPM/QRB certification. Verification of performance, suitability and security information from reference checks will be taken into consideration when making offers of employment.
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