Internal Revenue Service

Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (FIP)

JOB SUMMARY: The Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (Financial Institutions and Products [FIP]) assists and acts for the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) as a full deputy in the overall executive direction of the legal work of some 50 professional and support staff in Washington, D.C. The work involves providing legal advisory services that support uniform interpretation, application, enforcement, and litigation of tax laws involving banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies and products, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, original issue discount obligations, and other types of financial instruments , including derivatives.. In addition, the Deputy works closely with Treasury officials, IRS Division executives, and other Associate and Division Counsel on program matters (e.g., identifying and establishing priorities for emerging issues and developing published guidance needs). KEY REQUIREMENTS: U. S. Citizenship is required for this position Relocation Expenses will be paid Back to top Duties Additional Duty Location Info: 1 vacancy - Washington, DC The Deputy is delegated the authority and responsibility to serve as full deputy, including authority for signature on all matters on which the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP)) has authority. The Deputy participates with the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in providing executive direction over offices under their jurisdiction. The Deputy collaborates closely with the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) and, when acting for him/her, has full authority to make decisions arising in the administration of the designated areas of responsibility. The Deputy may either direct, or personally perform, exhaustive and detailed research on complicated problems or cases, and review or prepare recommendations as to positions to be taken. The Deputy acts as a consultant to the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) on difficult, important and complex matters arising in the administration of assigned program areas. When acting in the absence of the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP), the Deputy assumes complete responsibility for the activities of the Financial Institutions and Products area. The Deputy assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as senior legal advisor and expert consultant to Internal Revenue Service Division Commissioners, the Chief Counsel, and other top ranking IRS and Treasury officials on issues, regulations, and needs relating to financial institutions and products, and on other selected legal issues. The Deputy may represent these officials on sensitive and controversial issues related to these areas. The Deputy assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as principal legal advisor to the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel(s), other Division Counsel, and other Chief Counsel and IRS executives in issues and programs involving banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies and products, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, annuities, original issue discount obligations, and other types of financial instruments and entities. The Deputy provides technical interpretation of the tax code and determines the legal position of the IRS in these and other designated program areas. Specific technical functions and responsibilities include : preparing regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, announcements, and news releases to be published for the guidance of taxpayers and Service personnel; issuing technical advice memoranda responding to questions raised by IRS examiners; and issuing private letter rulings and general technical information letters in response to requests from taxpayers. In accordance with delegations of authority from the Chief Counsel and in consultation with the Division Counsel, the Deputy exercises other responsibilities in designated areas including : designating cases for litigation; approving the defense or settlement of cases pending in the U. S. Tax Court; reviewing and coordinating pleadings, motions, briefs, settlement documents, notices of appeal, and other material prepared in connection with Tax Court litigation; approving recommendations of acquiescence and nonacquiescence in adverse decisions in tax litigation; and coordinating all other necessary litigation matters. The Deputy assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving as full partners with IRS counterparts in formulating short and long range program policies, strategies, and objectives for the organization to implement overall IRS strategy and vision, and ensure fairness and equity in enforcement for financial institutions. The Deputy identifies emerging issues appropriate for issue management, including strategic litigation; assists the organization in addressing non-compliant market segments; and partners to build cooperative partnerships with customers and stakeholders. The Deputy serves on, or may represent the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in serving on, the Chief Counsel=s Executive Committee, and participates or designates a participant to serve on various groups with or for the various IRS committees and councils. The Deputy assists the Associate Chief Counsel (FIP) in providing executive leadership and direction to professional and support personnel through subordinate executives and managers and delegates authority to subordinates to effectively manage their resources and to seek continuous improvement . Back to top Qualifications and Evaluations QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: As a basic requirement, candidates must demonstrate they possess experience which has provided them with both the Professional/Technical Competencies and the Executive Core Qualifications outlined below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at, or above, the GS‑15 grade level in the Federal service, or with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A. Professional/Technical Competencies: Mandatory: 1. Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law, and current possession of a bar membership which permits the practice of law in the United States, and active membership in good standing of the bar. 2. Comprehensive professional legal knowledge and a broad technical knowledge of tax laws, legal administration, and functions of the Internal Revenue Service, with an emphasis on the tax laws affecting financial institutions and products (e.g., banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies and products, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, annuities, original issue discount obligations, and other types of financial instruments , including derivatives). . 3. Demonstrated experience in managing all aspects of a large‑scale law program that involves significant human and fiscal resources, including the ability to allocate and manage resources to achieve both short and long term goals. Experience includes planning, directing, budgeting for, staffing, and evaluating such programs, as well as effectively managing equal employment opportunity initiatives. 4. Demonstrated ability to review and evaluate programs for the purpose of assessing their effectiveness against overall organizational goals and objectives, and the ability to design and implement program improvements as necessary to enhance organizational performance. 5. Demonstrated capacity for effective and decisive decision-making, as well as the ability to solve problems of substantial impact, sensitivity, and complexity. 6. Ability to manage with a focus on customer service and employee satisfaction. 7. Ability to think broadly, strategically, and long term, including the ability to translate long term goals and objectives into short term tactical plans and operational activities. Desirable: 1. Thorough understanding of the operation and organization of the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Chief Counsel, and a solid understanding of the Department of the Treasury and the Office of General Counsel. B. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's). The following five ECQ's provide the focus for certification of executive qualifications for initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) and also provide a basis for assessing relative quality of management experience for this position. The listing of elements for each activity area is illustrative, not exhaustive, and it is not expected that an individual will be a subject-matter expert in all of these activities. Please provide a brief explanation of your experience with 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. 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. 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. 4. Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. 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. You will want to address as many of the competencies and key characteristics as possible. The selecting official and the Executive Resources Board will be looking for coverage of each ECQ. Each ECQ may have numerous examples (at least two). When you develop each individual example, OPM recommends a model where you describe the: · Challenge – a specific problem or goal · Context – individuals and groups you worked with and/or environment in which you worked to address a challenge · Action – What you did personally to address the challenge or achieve results · Results – a specific accomplishment Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law, and current possession of a bar membership which permits the practice of law in the United States, and must be an active member in good standing of the bar. Note: Employees in the Senior Executive Service may be subject to reassignment to other locations/positions than that for which initially hired. Although nationwide mobility is not a prerequisite for selection, willingness to change positions and/or geographic locations may be taken into consideration when the final selection is made. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: Candidates found basically qualified will be further evaluated by an Executive Resources Board based on the extent and quality of their experience as it relates to the Professional/Technical Competencies and the Executive Core Qualifications needed for this position. Appropriate consideration will be given for job-related training, education, awards, publications, and supervisory appraisals of job performance. Interviews of applicants may be held at the option of the Board. To assist reviewing officials in determining the best qualified can didates, applicants must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Professional/Technical Competencies and each of the Executive Core Qualifications identified above. The narrative should include clear and concise examples of activities or tasks undertaken by the applicant which show the scope and quality of work experience, accomplishments, and/or potential, relevant to exercising executive leadership in the competency areas. For each example, applicants should discuss: (a) what, and why, action/activity was initiated; (b) the context/environment in which the activity took place, including any challenges or obstacles; and (c) the results or impact of the activity. Selected applicants will be subject to certification of their executive qualifications by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management (unless previously certified). (Note: Current and former SES members, and other candidates who have already been OPM/QRB-certified, are not required to address the executive core qualifications. They must, however, provide documentation of certification in the form of an SF-50 showing career SES status, or an OPM issued SES qualification certificate.) Back to top Benefits and Other Info BENEFITS: We offer a workplace that is respectful, fair, and values diversity. Our comprehensive benefits are very generous – helping you to reach your personal goals by supporting your professional growth, health, well-being, and your family needs. Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp OTHER INFORMATION: The selectee will be required to file a public financial disclosure report (Standard Form 278) upon entry on duty, and annually thereafter. · The selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year probationary period for assignment to a supervisory/managerial position. Applicants who have completed the one year supervisory/managerial probationary period will not be required to serve a new one. · The Office of Chief Counsel provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need reasonable accommodations, please notify the point of contact listed below. · Because of its tax-related mission, the Office of Chief Counsel requires fingerprinting, tax verification, and background security investigation as part of the pre-employment process. · Prior to entrance on duty or receipt of an official job offer, a selectee must receive favorable results for fingerprints and tax clearance for the last three years tax returns filed. · A background security investigation, including a tax audit, will be initiated prior to appointment. After entrance on duty, failure to successfully meet the background investigation and favorable adjudication requirements may be grounds for termination. · All application materials become the property of the Office of Chief counsel and will not be returned. · Male selectees born after December 31, 1959, must provide proof of registration with the Selective Service System. · Veterans Preference does not apply to the Selective Executive Service (SES) · The Office of Chief Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, family status or other differences. Agency Contact Information: Jacqueline Lawson, Human Resource Specialist Office of Chief Counsel/Internal Revenue Service Executive Resources Branch (CC:FM:HR:ERB) 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 6422 Washington, DC. 20224 Phone: (202) 622-5532, Fax: (202) 927-2984 Back to top How To Apply HOW TO APPLY: Applications must be received in the Executive Resources Branch at the Washington, DC, address indicated below by 5 P.M. on the closing date of the announcement. Please choose one of the application methods below: · Electronic Submission: You may submit your application (Word document or PDF format) electronically via e-mail or the internet. Electronic applications will be accepted at ERB@irscounsel.treas.gov. If you choose to fax the other required documents and want it attached to your electronically submitted application, you must list your name and announcement number on the fax sheet and state that you wish to have it attached to your electronically submitted application. · Fax Submission: Fax applications (on or before the closing date) to (202) 927-2984 ATTN: ES-ERB-10-41. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation receipt as proof of fax. · You May Mail/Overnight Application Packages To: Office of Chief Counsel/Internal Revenue Service Executive Resources Board, CC:FM:HR:ERB 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 6422 Washington, DC. 20224 ATTN: Mrs. Lawson In accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1719 and 39 U.S.C. 3201, applications mailed in a postage paid agency envelope (penalty mail) will not be considered. What You Need to Submit: In order for you to be considered for this position, you must submit the following application materials: · A memorandum of interest summarizing your relevant qualifications and specialized knowledge and experience · A supplemental narrative statement that addresses your possession of the Professional/Technical Competencies and, if you are not an OPM - certified SES member or candidate, the Executive Core Qualifications. · OPM Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment. · A written application in the form of a resume, Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF612), or SF-171. · (For Federal employees) Must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, 'Notification of Personnel Action', confirming your status eligibility and highest permanent grade/step/salary held in the Federal service. (Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). Applicant SF-50 should reflect the promotion potential of their most recent Federal position). · A copy of your most recent official performance appraisal, or a statement with reasons as to why you do not have such an appraisal. · (For Chief Counsel employees) A Supervisory Report (ERB Form 1-88, Rev 12/09) regarding your suitability for the position as completed by your current or most recent supervisor. You are responsible for notifying your supervisor that this report (attached) must be received no later than five workdays after the closing date of this announcement. AGENCY CONTACT INFO: Mrs. Lawson Phone: (202) 622-5532 Fax: (202) 927-2984 Email: ERB@irscounsel.treas.gov Agency Information: Department Of The Treasury, IRS, Office of Chief Counsel 1111 Constitution Avenue 6th Floor,Room 6422 Washington, DC 20024 US Fax: (202) 927-2984 WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: You will be notified of the outcome after the selection process is complete. You may call the number listed above to inquire about your application.

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