Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs

Full Job Description

The Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs is a career Senior Executive Service (SES) position in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG).

This position is located in the Washington D.C. Headquarters office.

OCIG is OIG's legal office and provides legal advice, counsel and representation for OIG in all activities to include audits, evaluations and investigations.

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.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must show in your resume evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements of this position you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs).

Technical Qualifications (TQs) -- Mandatory; Your resume (not to exceed 2 pages) should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the below TQs.

(Do not submit a separate narrative addressing the TQs): TQ 1: Demonstrated skill managing, supervising, and leading a legal program as evidenced by success in (1) anticipating and planning for both normal workload and contingencies, and (2) appropriately delegating and securing timely and high-quality work products from subordinate staff.

TQ 2: Knowledge relevant to (1) health care fraud enforcement, such as civil and administrative health care fraud remedies and procedures and guidance on the Federal anti-kickback statute and other relevant fraud and abuse laws; and/or (2) the Inspector General Act and other statutes and legal issues related to Inspector General investigations, audits, and evaluations.

TQ 3: Demonstrated ability to (1) develop new approaches and solutions to difficult legal problems, (2) timely resolve nuanced legal questions and render sound advice, (3) effectively distill and clearly communicate complex legal advice to high-level leaders, and (4) successfully collaborate with high-level leaders in the development of solutions to difficult legal problems.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) -- Mandatory; In addition to the Technical Qualification requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the below five mandatory ECQs.

If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both the individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

For detailed guidance on ECQs, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications at Executive Core Qualifications 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, you do not need to respond to the ECQs.

Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Your 2-page executive resume should emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed (e.g.

budget, type and number of staff supervised) and program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and HOW TO APPLY sections for additional information.

Major Duties:

The Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG) is OIG's legal office, and it provides legal advice and representation for OIG in all its activities.

More specifically, OCIG renders advice and opinions on HHS programs and operations; provides all legal support for OIG's internal operations; pursues administrative enforcement through civil monetary penalties, exclusions and information blocking cases; represents HHS in False Claims Act cases and implements and monitors compliance measures; implements all OIG exclusions of health care providers; publishes advisory opinions and provides guidance to the health care industry on the Federal anti-kickback statute and other fraud and abuse authorities; and processes all OIG Freedom of Information Act requests.

OCIG staff works closely with professionals across OIG to support legally-sound, high-impact work that protects HHS programs and the people touched by those programs.

OCIG consists of the following branches: Administrative and Civil Remedies Branch Advice Branch Affirmative Litigation Branch Exclusions Branch Industry Guidance Branch Mission Support Branch MAJOR DUTIES The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) for Legal Affairs reports directly to the Chief Counsel to the Inspector General who is also a Deputy Inspector General.

As a member of OCIG's executive team, the incumbent will: Serve as expert legal advisor in the areas of general administrative law, civil recoveries, industry guidance, administrative litigation, exclusions, mission support, and FOIA.

Serve as key advisor with respect to the formulation and execution of OIG policies and programs and the application of the civil False Claims Act to OIG investigations.

Oversee the work of multiple branches within OCIG; provide a source of informed opinion and factual information to the components within OIG on issues that arise in the exercise of OIG's responsibilities under the IG Act, and on matters of internal administration and operations.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the incumbent will assess policy and program feasibility; determine program goals and develop implementation plans; design an organizational structure to promote effective work accomplishment; and set effectiveness, productivity, and management/internal control standards.

Review and approve legal opinions, memoranda, and other key correspondence on significant legal matters and review memoranda and correspondence on significant policy matter prepared by other components of OIG.

Represent OIG on legal issues before Congressional committees, members of Congress, and their staff. At the request of the IG:

assist in the preparation of testimony delivered by the IG or other representatives of OIG;

participate in the formulation of OIG legislative proposals and technical advice to Congress; and

comment on legislative reports and hearing materials.

Represent the Chief Counsel to the IG at policymaking conferences with other Department officials, the Department of Justice, other Federal agencies, state and local government organizations, and professional and trade associations.

Gives speeches, grants media interviews, and performs other public outreach efforts to communicate the position of OIG on key matters.