Rules Committee Chief Counsel Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 25-OGC-12665883 Department Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Salary $202,125.00 to $224,583.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/16/2025 Close Date 1/15/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Rules Committee Chief Counsel position is in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides legal advice and services to the Director and Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) staff, the Judicial Conference of the United States and its committees, judges, and other senior court officials. The Office is responsible for rendering legal opinions and advice on a wide range of issues in the field of federal Judicial administration.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed every two weeks beginning January 29, 2025. This position is designated as confidential or policy-determining under the Administrative Office (AO) Personnel Act, Section 3(a)(5)(B) and, as such, is not covered by the AO's personnel regulations developed under the AO Personnel Act of 1990. Relocation expenses will not be provided unless specifically authorized by the Director of the AO.

Duties

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the Rules Committee Chief Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The Rules Committee Chief Counsel and the Rules Committee Staff (RCS) staff support the Judicial Conference's Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and five advisory committees - the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, and Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence Committees -- in carrying out their responsibilities under the Rules Enabling Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 331 and 2071-2077, and Judicial Conference procedures. All members of the Standing Committee and its five advisory rules committees are chosen by the Chief Justice of the United States. Each committee is chaired by a federal judge and includes federal trial and appellate judges, state supreme court justices, lawyers, and law professors, as well as Department of Justice officials who serve as ex officio members.

The duties of the Rules Committee Chief Counsel include, but are not limited to:

  1. Providing the six rules committees and multiple subcommittees with planning and logistical support to facilitate meetings and collaborative work throughout the year.
  2. Managing, under the guidance of the Chair of the Standing Committee, the rulemaking process, including the assembly of rules proposals and related materials for distribution to the Judicial Conference, the United States Supreme Court, the Congress, and the public.
  3. Giving advice and counsel to the chairs and members of the Standing Committee and the advisory committees and subcommittees.
  4. Serving as Secretary to the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.
  5. Assisting the chair of the Standing Committee in managing the Federal rulemaking process, which includes reviewing and ensuring the accuracy and appropriate form of proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, and Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, for transmission to the public, the Judicial Conference, the United States Supreme Court, and the Congress.
  6. Providing counsel to and coordinating the work of the chairs and reporters of the standing and advisory rules committees.
  7. Serving as a liaison on rules-related matters between the rules committees and other AO and Judiciary (including Supreme Court) staff, federal judges, Congressional staff, Department of Justice officials, state supreme court justices, academics, representatives of the bar, and other organizations interested in the rule-making process.
  8. Providing expert advice on rules-related matters within the Judiciary.
  9. Responding to inquiries from judges, the bar, Congress, academics, the media, and the general public on the status and purpose of proposed rule amendments.
  10. Drafting reports, correspondence, and hearing statements for the Rules committees.
  11. Managing the budget and financial arrangements for the rulemaking process, including oversight of committee reporter and consultant contracts and travel expense reimbursement.
  12. Overseeing the logistical arrangements for public hearings on proposed rule amendments and at least twelve annual committee meetings, including the printing and circulation of agenda materials for committee meetings.
  13. Ensuring that rules-related information on the Judiciary's website is kept up to date.
  14. Maintaining all official records of the rulemaking process, including supervision of recordkeeping in an internal electronic filing system.
  15. Providing leadership, management, and supervision of the Rules Committee support staff.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
  1. All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
  2. Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship for competitive status positions or conversion to a competitive status position with the AO. If non-citizens are considered for hire into a temporary or any other position with non-competitive status or when it is confirmed by the AO Human Resources Office there are no qualified U.S. citizens for a competitive status position (unless prohibited by a law or statue), non-citizens must provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at USAJOBS Help Center | Employment of non-citizens/. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
  3. All new AO employees will be required to complete an FBI fingerprint-based national criminal database and records check and pass a public trust suitability check.
  4. New employees to the AO will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights/responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  5. All new AO employees are required to identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment.
  6. You will be required to serve a trial period if selected for a first-time appointment to the Federal government, transferring from another Federal agency, or serving as a first-time supervisor. Failure to successfully complete the trial period may result in termination of employment.
  7. If appointed to a temporary position, management may have the discretion of converting the position to permanent depending upon funding and staffing allocation.

Qualifications

Applicants must have demonstrated experience which shows competence in the qualifications as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which includes interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a federal court of general jurisdiction. Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will constitute an incomplete application. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Post J.D. Experience: Applicants must also possess at least 4 years of post J.D. experience.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-15/JSP-15/CL 31 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as follows:
  • Demonstrated broad and progressive leadership experience as an attorney providing or directing the provision of legal expertise on novel and complex legal questions.
  • Managing and assisting in the rulemaking process, including the assembly of rules proposals and related materials.

Additional Assessment: Applicants who meet the specialized experience requirements also will be assessed on the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Mandatory Technical Qualifications: The MTQs listed below should be evident in your resume. A supplemental narrative must be uploaded and attached to your application addressing each MTQ listed below. Please limit your response to two pages for each MTQ.
  1. Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of the Federal Government. Experience with and knowledge of relevant Federal law, procedural and administrative rules and regulations, canons of statutory construction, and methods of investigating the legislative history of congressional enactments.
  2. Demonstrated experience dealing with diverse members of the legal and governmental community, including the bench, bar, academic community, bar associations, government agencies, Members of Congress and Congressional staff, media, and the public.
  3. Demonstrated excellent skills in oral and written presentation of complicated legal matters. Ability to express, orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are easily understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Applicants currently serving in an AOES and Court Unit Executive positions or under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to submit a narrative response for the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ). A narrative response as part of the application package for each of the following ECQs is MANDATORY for all other applicants. Please limit you response to two pages for each ECQ.
  1. Leading Change: This core qualification involves 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. Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision.
  2. Leading People: This core qualification involves 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. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building.
  3. Results Driven: This core qualification involves 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. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility.
  4. Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management.
  5. Building Coalitions / Communication: This core qualification involves 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. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating.

Education

Applicants must possess a law degree (J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/.

Additional information

The AO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation and compare this information to your responses on the occupational questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this job. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, we will evaluate your application package, to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume and/or narrative responses, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Failure to submit the mandatory narrative responses will result in not receiving full consideration and/or rating credit. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you, withdrawing an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

Required Documents

For this job announcement the following documents and/or information are required:

  • Resume - Any written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications.
  • MTQ Narrative - Statement addressing the MTQs
  • Current or former career AOES/SES members - Provide a copy of your AOES/SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career AOES/SES status or reinstatement eligibility.
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) - Submit a copy of your CDP certification.
  • ECQ Narrative - A narrative response as part of the application package for each of the following ECQs is mandatory for all applicants who are not current or former career AOES/SES members, and/or completed an OPM approved CDP.
  • Citizenship - Include country of citizenship on resume.
  • Current or former Federal Civilian employees - All applicants outside of the AO must submit a copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action)to verify current or former Federal employment status.
  • Veterans Preference documentation - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), if applicable Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) and an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 01/15/2026 to receive consideration. To begin:

  • Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
  • You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
  • You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
  • To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12665883.

Agency contact information

Rosemarie Thompson
Address
Office of General Counsel
One Columbus Circle NE
Washington, DC 20544
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and referral to the hiring official if determined qualified. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.


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


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