Deputy Judge Advocate General Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. CG-SES-25-01 Department U.S. Coast Guard
Salary $218,146.00 to $225,700.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/17/2025 Close Date 2/10/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Judge Advocate General (CG-094) at the USCG Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Required Documents section of this announcement lists documents that must be uploaded in order to be considered a complete application package. Applicants who do not submit a complete package will not receive further consideration.

Duties

The USCG is announcing a challenging Senior Executive Service career opportunity to serve as the Deputy Judge Advocate General. This position performs the functions of the Deputy Judge Advocate General by direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security in addition to performing other functions as Deputy Chief Counsel.

In addition, the Deputy Judge Advocate General & Deputy Chief Counsel:

  • Performs duties as principal assistant to the Judge Advocate General and other duties as assigned.
  • Provides professional and administrative supervision of the Coast Guard Legal Service Command and Judge Advocate General offices, staff, and personnel.
  • Applies extensive professional legal knowledge and experience in providing advice and counsel on the full range of Coast Guard programs, activities and policies to the Commandant, Vice Commandant, Deputy Commandants, Assistant Commandants and Directors, and flag officer commanders, including Area and District Commanders.
  • Consults with the Department of Homeland Security and other Executive Branch officials; members of Congress and their staffs; state, local, and tribal governments; industry; and the public on significant national and international matters relating to the missions and activities of the Coast Guard having legal and policy implications.
  • Develops and implements strategies, plans and policies that ensure efficient, effective, and professional delivery of legal services throughout the Coast Guard; aligns CGJAG with Homeland Security, Coast Guard, and General Counsel strategies, plans and policies; assures coordination among field and headquarters CGJAG offices and between CGJAG and other Coast Guard programs; oversees planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of Judge Advocate General resources and field legal activities; plans and implements force structure and legal doctrine; oversees legal technology strategies, plans, and policies.
  • Devises and administers human resource strategies that are consistent with and implement Homeland Security, Coast Guard, and General Counsel strategies, plans, and policies, oversees active duty and reserve judge advocate, civilian attorney, and staff recruiting, training, assignments, and professional development, supports and implements equal opportunity in all policies and programs; ensures fairness and merit reflected in determining qualifications, selections, training, promotions, details, discipline, and awards.
  • Manages legal professional responsibility and internal controls.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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 management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below.

Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS -14 /15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. As such, your resume should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in most SES positions such as: directing the work of an organizational unit; ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects; monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance; supervising the work of employees; and exercising important policy-making, policy determining, or other executive functions.

Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result (C-C-A-R) model outlined in the guide at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf.

Key Requirements:

  1. U.S. Citizenship is required.
  2. The applicant is subject to pre-appointment and random drug testing.
  3. In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
  4. You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  5. You must complete a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE 278.
  6. One year probationary period is required, unless excepted by regulation.
  7. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

Qualifications

The application process to recruit for this position is the TRADITIONAL-BASED method. You must address each ECQ separately and limit your statements to no more than two pages per ECQ, totaling no more than ten pages addressing all ECQs. Combine all ECQ responses into one (1) document (i.e., all narratives in 1 PDF or Word document). Additionally, you must address each MTQ separately, and you shall not exceed two pages per MTQ. You are required to respond to all MTQs. Combine all MTQ responses into one (1) document (i.e., all narratives in 1 PDF or Word document). If you fail to do so, you will be rated as 'ineligible'. DO NOT COMBINE THE ECQ and MTQ DOCUMENTS.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Unless you are currently under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as 'ineligible.' You must limit your narrative to two (2) pages per ECQ. When uploading your ECQs, choose the Supporting Document Type called ECQ.

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: The ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: The 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.

To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements, please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp .


MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualification. You must address each mandatory technical qualification separately. You must limit your narratives to two (2) pages per technical qualification. When uploading your MTQs, choose the supporting Document Type called MTQ.

MTQ 1: Demonstrated experience providing legal services including complex legal research and writing to senior-level executives at a government or private sector organization in some or all of the following subject matter areas: maritime and international law, including U.S. maritime sovereignty and exercise of authority over vessels, facilities, and people under federal law and applicable international agreements; national security law; intelligence law; cyber law; environmental compliance; environmental protection including civil and criminal enforcement; information and privacy law; federal rulemaking; defensive and affirmative federal civil litigation; tort claims; federal criminal prosecutions, military personnel law; labor and employment law; appropriations and fiscal law; government ethics; acquisition and procurement law; conduct of investigations; legislative oversight, drafting, and coordination; and drafting and negotiating international and interagency agreements.

MTQ 2: Knowledge of military criminal law evidenced by certification pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 827(b)(2) and experience in legal positions relevant to military justice.

MTQ 3: Demonstrated ability to oversee and manage the delivery of legal services by staff and to administer and guide a legal program/office for a large organization, including developing and communicating strategic objectives and policies, and managing staff and resources.

When responding to the MTQs and ECQs, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the ECQs and MTQs. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of the programs managed and program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.

Applicants who use "see resume" as a response WILL NOT receive consideration for the position.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date, 02/10/2025 of this announcement.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement.

All applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from an accredited law school; AND, must be an active member in good standing of the appropriate licensing authority of any state, territory of the United States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or District of Columbia bar.

Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Additional information

Consideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE - Veteran's Preference does not apply to the SES.

SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.

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

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 finalizing your ECQ narrative for OPM submission.

An individual's initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a one-year probationary period.

Selectee must file an Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) upon appointment in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

Any required investigations and clearances or waivers must be completed before a selectee is placed in this position.

Moving expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate regulations.

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret with SCI security clearance.

Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. At the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306. Certain responses on the form could post a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.

A selectee's appointment is contingent upon compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity.

New employees to the United States Coast Guard will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

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.

Applicants will be evaluated by a Rating and Ranking Review Panel composed of senior officials. The panel will rate and rank applicants on the basis of the quality and extent of total accomplishments, experience and education. The executive panel will determine the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the mandatory technical requirements of the position and the mandatory executive core qualifications requirements. Among the factors the evaluation panel will consider in determining the applicant's relative capacity and fitness for the position are education, training, experience and demonstrated executive level qualifications. The executive panel will rate and rank your resume against each mandatory technical qualifications and mandatory executive core qualifications to determine the best qualified candidates.

Candidates determined to be best qualified will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration for the position.

Required Documents

Your application, regardless of the format must describe your job related qualifications pertinent to this position. The announcement number must be entered on the first page of your application. Please submit:

1. Resume: In addition to your written statements addressing the Executive Core Qualifications, the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other qualifications as applicable, submit a resume (limited to 5 (five) pages) to describe your qualifications. Applicants typically provide the following information:

  • Full name, mailing address, and day email address and evening telephone numbers
  • If applicable, reinstatement eligibility to the SES and dates held on the SES career appointment.
  • Educational information, including the name, city and state of the colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received
  • Information about your paid and non paid work experience related to this position including:
    • Job title (include series and grade if Federal job);
    • Duties and accomplishments;
    • Employer's name and address;
    • Supervisor's name and phone number (indicate if we may contact your current supervisor);
    • Starting and ending dates of employment (month/year);
    • Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments

2. MTQ Statement: A narrative statement specifically addressing the mandatory technical qualifications. Each MTQ statement should not exceed two (2) pages.

3. ECQ Statement: A narrative statement specifically addressing each individual ECQ. In lieu of the narrative statement, current career SES members, reinstatement eligibles, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates must provide the documentation. ECQs should not exceed ten (10) pages total.

4. Transcript(s): A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. In addition, a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable).

5. All current and former career SES members must provide an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting their status or reinstatement eligibility and showing your completion of the SES probationary period.

6. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.

7. If you are a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, you must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your position, title, series, grade, and eligibility.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement will result in an ineligible rating or will affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You must complete an on line application package to include the Resume, your responses to the MTQs, your responses to the ECQs, and your transcripts. To apply, please select 'Apply Online' button at the bottom of this announcement.

Please note: your online resume may not be a complete application. Be sure to carefully read this announcement to see if additional information is required and how it should be submitted.

Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e., Resume, MTQs and ECQs, transcripts) WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.

You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

If you have any issues, please contact Ms. Brianne Alvis (Brianne.E.Alvis@uscg.mil) or 202-475-5514.

NOTE: Applications submitted by means other than those described in this vacancy announcement will NOT be considered.

Agency contact information

Brianne Alvis
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After all application packages have been received, we will review your application to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information."

After making a tentative job offer to the selectee, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement. View more information on applying for federal employment.


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


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