Attorney/Inspector General Associate Counsel-Investigations - Experienced to Expert Level (MD)

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at NSA/CSS conducts independent oversight that promotes wise use of public resources; adherence to laws, rules, and regulations; and respect for Constitutional rights. The OIG conducts independent oversight of NSA's personnel, programs, and operations to detect and deter fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct. Through our value-added, transparent, and independent audits, inspections, and investigations, we strive to positively impact the Agency. The OIG promotes the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Agency operations and protects civil liberties and individual privacy.

The OIG's Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (IG) provides legal advice and general counsel to the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, the Assistant Inspectors General, and their staffs on the full spectrum of oversight activities conducted within OIG, including audits, intelligence oversight, evaluations, inspections, and investigations. OIG attorneys also serve as in-house legal counsel providing day-to-day guidance in areas including employment, litigation, security, ethics, information disclosure and privacy (to include the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act), contracting, appropriations, and congressional affairs.

The OIG's Office of the Counsel to the IG is independent and separate from NSA's Office of the General Counsel and DoD IG's Office of General Counsel. The OIG's Office of the Counsel to the IG seeks an experienced attorney with criminal prosecution experience, particularly in fraud matters, to serve as Associate Counsel, Investigations. The position requires an understanding of NSA and its authorities, the Department of War and Intelligence Community, the applicable laws and statutes under which the OIG operates, criminal law and procedure, and the complete lifecycle of criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Experience with fraud statutes (including false claims, conflicts of interest, and procurement fraud), financial crimes, and related investigative techniques is highly desirable. Additionally, the selected attorney must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with investigators, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners.

As Associate Counsel, Investigations with the OIG, you will work independently and with minimum supervision to:
- Provide legal guidance on complex fraud investigations involving false claims, procurement fraud, contract fraud, grant fraud, conflicts of interest, and financial crimes;
- Perform legal research and analysis to develop sound solutions to novel, sensitive, and complex legal issues involving OIG investigations;
- Conduct, or assist OIG investigators in conducting, investigations involving potential criminal, civil, and administrative violations involving NSA procurements, programs, operations, employees, contractors, and whistleblower reprisal;
- Draft and review reports of investigation for legal sufficiency, technical accuracy, and completeness;
- Manage, or assist OIG investigators in managing, discovery requests, including coordinating responses with NSA stakeholders and the prosecution team;
- Evaluate evidence and advise on prosecutive merit, case strategy, and coordination with the Department of Justice and other law enforcement authorities;
- Provide concise oral and written legal advice and guidance to the IG, Deputy IG, Counsel to the IG, the Assistant Inspectors General, and the investigator staff on fraud-related statutes, criminal procedure, and investigative authorities;
- Interact and coordinate cases with law enforcement partners, the Department of Justice, and other OIGs, to include the other IC component IGs, IC OIG, and DoW IG. Participate in IC and IG Community-wide councils and working groups to develop robust professional networks, learn and share best practices, and stay informed of significant developments in law and policy impacting the OIG;
- Review OIG investigative policies and procedures and recommend improvements and updates, taking into account all relevant legal authorities, including emerging guidelines and case law;
- Advise on information requests from NSA organizations, external stakeholders, Congress, the media, and the public; and
- Perform other tasks and projects, as appropriate.

Please submit a writing sample (approximately 5-10 pages in length) with your application. Upload the file with your application.

Conditions of employment

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be a Professional Law Degree (LL.B. or J.D.).

Relevant experience as determined by the Office of the General Counsel (or the Office of the Inspector General for positions in the OIG) must be professional legal experience that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. See DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1442.02 for exceptions to the grade-level standards.

SENIOR
Entry is with a Professional Law Degree (LLB or JD) and in excess of two years (Grade 13) or in excess of three years (Grade 14) of relevant experience. Active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia is required.

EXPERT
Entry for Grade 15 is with a Professional Law Degree (LLB or JD) and in excess of three years of relevant experience. Active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia is required.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Legal experience and knowledge of law in one or more of the following areas is required:
-federal acquisition/procurement
-fiscal law
-investigatory
-criminal litigation
-intelligence

The ideal candidate is a highly-motivated and qualified attorney with excellent oral and written communication skills, astute problem-solving, analytic, and interpersonal skills, and possess a desire for continual learning. The candidate must be:
-detail-oriented;
-customer and results oriented;
-able to adjust to changing situational requirements;
-able to build relationships across the Agency and with external stakeholders; and
-able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables.

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**
Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.

Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.

Acceptable documentation includes:
- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4);
OR
- Certification of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date;
AND
- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)
Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).

If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability;
AND
- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)

You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).

**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.

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