Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal Ethics and Administrative Law) Job in Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Vacancy No. MRL2025-19 Department Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide
Salary $184,363.00 to $217,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/23/2025 Close Date 8/5/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA


Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to perform legal work in the fields of fiscal law, ethics, civilian personnel, Department of Defense and Air Force organization and structure, administrative law, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and legislative affairs.

Duties

The Deputy General Counsel (Fiscal, Ethics, and Administrative Law):

- Provides legal advice and assistance on complex civilian personnel matters, including force reduction/force-shaping matters, removal and disciplinary actions for misconduct or poor performance, grievances, retirements, pay matters, staffing matters, and Senior Executive Service issues; equal employment opportunity matters including final agency decisions on civilian discrimination complaints and class action cases; and labor-management relations including unfair labor practices, unit consolidations, and negotiability questions.

- Provides legal advice and assistance on a wide range of administrative matters, in particular Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force (DAF) organizational structure and relationships including Goldwater-Nichols issues; authority of DAF officials; delegation of authority; various DAF publications including mission directives, policy directives and instructions; Federal Vacancies Reform Act issues; Federal Advisory Committee Act and Government in the Sunshine Act issues; formation and implementation of DAF conference policy.

- Provides legal advice and assistance on the full range of fiscal law matters: availability for obligation and expenditure of appropriated funds as to purpose, amount and time; interpretation of authorization and appropriation acts and permanent fiscal statutes; violations of the Anti-Deficiency Act; accounting and finance issues; budget matters; claims against the government; debt collection; pay and allowances; Nonappropriated funds; continuing resolutions; funds for emergency and extraordinary expenses; operation in the absence of appropriated funds; and audit matters.

- Provides legal advice and assistance on matters pertaining to the release of official records and information to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and to Congress and on all matters arising under the Privacy Act. Serves as Air Force appellate authority for FOIA appeals.

- Coordinates with the Office of Special Counsel on issues including Whistleblower disclosures, reprisal complaints, prohibited personnel practices, political activity (Hatch Act), and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement
  • Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
  • Position has been designated Critical-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
  • Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
  • Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoD Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
  • Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
  • An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
  • Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
  • Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
  • Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations.

In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages, streamlining the process to align with private industry practices. Candidates identified for potential selection will be assessed against the ECQs by undergoing a structured interview assessment with OPM's Qualifications Review Board (QRB). This interview, based on the new Executive Core Qualifications, will replace the previous narrative essay requirement at this subsequent stage of the hiring process.

Qualification Requirements: Your 2-page resume must demonstrate the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments relative to the technical qualifications. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. At this time, only a resume (capped at 2 pages) is required. A panel may assess whether you possess the required ECQs and MTQs through resume review, assessments, and/or interview in a later stage of the hiring process.

A. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education Requirement: Must have graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

2. Licensure Requirement: Must be an active member, in good standing, of the bar of any state, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.

B. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:

1. Experience that demonstrates knowledge of and leadership in providing strategic legal and legal policy advice in at least two of the following legal practice areas: fiscal law (including, but not limited to, budgeting, appropriations, and authorizations, and the Antideficiency Act); government ethics and standards of conduct; administrative law (including, but not limited to, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, delegations of authority, and Department of Defense and Air Force organization and structure); and civilian personnel law and policy (including, but not limited to, Title VII protected classes, Equal Employment Opportunity and Merit Systems Protection Board cases, Office of Special Counsel matters); and, information protection and release.

2. Demonstrated knowledge in a wide range of legal practice areas in relation to; integrating legal solutions within and between federal agencies, creative problem solving in large complex legal matters, and partnering with industry and leading and directing a large legal office.

In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. The individual must possess a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities. Executives should demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. A separate narrative statement is not required--this information should be embedded within the resume.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certificate of Completion of SESCDP) of your eligibility for appointment to the SES.

Education

Education: Applicant must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

SALARY: $184,363.00 - $217,000.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 2) SES members are eligible for bonuses and/or ranks and stipends in addition to annual salary.



AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Applications will be accepted from all qualified persons.

SES members are eligible for Performance-Based Salary increases and/or bonuses. This is a SES Career Reserved position and is assigned a precedence priority code of DV-5, Tier 2 for protocol purposes.

MOBILITY: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES and DISES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, mobility is a condition of employment and appointed SES and DISES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Review our 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.

A Resume-based Senior Executive Service (SES) Hiring Method will be used for this recruitment. This method provides an alternative to traditional submissions that requires applicants to submit a resume and seek OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) approval of their ECQs. A well-written resume for this announcement should demonstrate to Senior Hiring Officials that you possess the essential ECQs with supporting accomplishments. Applicants should incorporate ECQs as they write their resumes and can refer to the following OPM Link for additional guidance on SES Executive Qualifications: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf. In addition, the Department of the Air Force highly encourages applicants to seek mentoring assistance from a current SES member in preparing and/or reviewing their package.

PLEASE NOTE: This position will be filled under the FY2024 NDAA Section 1118, "Pilot Program for Initial Appointments to Senior Executive Service Positions in the Department of Defense (DoD)." This authority allows us to appoint qualified individuals to initial career appointments into the Senior Executive Service of the DoD without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3393(c).

Your 2-page resume must also demonstrate the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs) provided in the qualification section. It should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments relative to the TQs. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. A panel may assess whether you possess the required ECQs and TQs through resume review, assessments, and/or interview.

Applications will be evaluated against the qualifications requirements. Failure to meet the qualifications standards will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. Candidates will be evaluated for this position by a screening panel composed of senior executives and/or general officers selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. The panel discusses each application and reaches consensus on the resume packages demonstrating a high degree of the executive core qualifications and technical competencies. Only those applicants whose packages demonstrate a mastery of ECQs and technical competencies are selected for interviews. Post interview, the panel will then make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent upon the Air Force Executive Resources Board and the Under Secretary of the Air Force.

REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents, please ensure they DO NOT EXCEED the specified page limits.

Required Documents

To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated. Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format and length requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.

**************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT*******************

The Qualifications Documents must be formatted using Times New Roman, size 12 font, with 1-inch margins. Do not use borders, provide photos, or list a Social Security Number on any of the Qualifications Documents. DO NOT COMBINE DOCUMENTS.

A. (Mandatory) Resume in the preferred format (Limit 2 Pages Total). Upload in PDF format. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

B. (Mandatory, if applicable) Most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, noting the current position, grade level, and salary of current civilian government employees or last position, grade level, and salary of former or retired civilian government employees.

C. (Mandatory, if applicable) Military: Retired - a copy of your DD214 and/or Retirement orders; Active Duty - a copy of your statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application. PLEASE NOTE: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification. Documents are required.

D. (Optional) Most recent completed Performance Appraisal (current and/or former federal employees) or Performance Report (OPR or EPR). For applicants in the private sector, please provide a copy of your equivalent Evaluation Report.

E. (Optional) College transcript(s) (copy is acceptable) which demonstrates the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM.

How to Apply

Please follow the below instructions to submit applications. Any applications received that do not include all of the required documents or do not meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/05/2025.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

PREFERRED RESUME FORMAT: (Limit 2 pages/Times New Roman 12-font) (Do Not Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder) - Please submit a typewritten resume (upload as a PDF), including the following information:

Job Information: Announcement number (MRL2025-19) and title of the position to which you are applying.

Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), day and evening phone numbers (with area code) and complete e-mail address where you would like to receive correspondence regarding your application. **PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER**

Active-Duty/Retired Military: State highest rank held, date of promotion and date eligible to retire or date of retirement, (e.g., Colonel/June 2006/December 2014). NOTE: IAW 5 U.S.C. 3326, a 180-day waiver will be required for retired or retiring members of the armed forces during the period of 180 days immediately after retirement. Please note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.

Education: Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Work Experience: Give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: (Do not send job descriptions).
- Starting and ending dates (month and year)
- Job title (for government position, include civilian series and grade or military rank)
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone number, please indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
- Salary (current)

HELPFUL HINTS FOR YOUR RESUME:
- Reflect on the TQs/ECQs and think about how your past experiences and education relate to each.
- Read the vacancy announcement carefully.
- Adhere to the page limitations (in PDF format and 12 point font)
- Quantify your accomplishments.
* Applicants should focus on recency of experience - Recruitment Panels, Executive Resources Boards, and Hiring Officials may consider experience over 10 years outdated.
* Seek mentoring assistance from a current SES or equivalent to review your package before submission.

References: Provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three individuals who can comment on your qualifications for this position. Please do not list supervisors already listed above.

This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify this office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

SAF/MRL CONTACT INFORMATION: Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to Ms. Keirsten Ramon at keirsten.ramon@us.af.mil.

Agency contact information

Keirsten Ramon
Address
AF Senior Executive Management
1040 Air Force Pentagon Room 4D
Washington, DC 20330
US

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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