Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Appellate Division Director)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Departmental Appeals Board

Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Appellate Division Director) (Washington, D.C.)

The Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking applications for a Supervisory Attorney Advisor to serve as Director of its Appellate Division.

Who May Apply: This announcement is open to all U.S. citizens.

Duty Station: Washington, D.C. (This is not a remote position.)

Grade: GS-905-15.

Open Period: This announcement will remain open until position is filled.

About the Office: The DAB is an independent office within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, established to provide review, adjudication, mediation, arbitration, or other resolution of appeals, disputes, contested decisions, or other matter arising out of the oversight and administration of programs for which HHS and DAB are responsible.

The Appellate Division provides staff support necessary to assist the Board's administrative review of such matters as: disallowances of Federal grant funds under various titles of the Social Security Act; Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisions in Civil Remedies cases; disapprovals of State plans and plan amendments under section 116(a)(2) of the Social Security Act; termination or denials of refunding of Head Start grantees; findings of scientific misconduct related to the work of the HHS Office of Research Integrity; disputes involving direct discretionary grants, cost allocation plans, and indirect cost rates; and civil rights and religious freedom matters arising before the HHS Office for Civil Rights.

Duties may include:

• Provide leadership, oversight, and direct the managerial activities in the DAB’s Appellate Division. Under the direction of the DAB Chair, administer the agency’s directives and implement effective processes aligned with agency objectives. Exercise independent judgment, initiative, and personal responsibility in the execution of duties. Maintain a keen knowledge and understanding of organizations, functions, policies and objectives.
• Provide guidance and support to the DAB Chair, such as conducting extensive legal research involving complex legal questions and providing authoritative legal advice, staff support, and assistance in matters for which the DAB or other HHS office is responsible, and preparing information and materials, and responding to inquiries and data calls pertaining to the Appellate Division.
• Supervise attorneys in the Appellate Division by providing administrative and technical supervision. Manage workflow, plan workload distribution, set priorities, assign tasks, and review work to ensure work products meet qualitative standards, are technically and legally accurate, and best serve the agency’s mission and priorities. Establish attorney performance plans and conduct performance reviews. Evaluate attorneys’ work performance and productivity. Address deficiencies in work product and identify training and developmental needs. Resolve employee complaints and grievances, and invoke disciplinary actions, as needed.
• Interact in a professional and respectful manner with the DAB workforce, other HHS components, other federal agencies, members of Congress and their staff, and members of the public.
• The activities performed by the incumbent may affect the interpretation, application and enforcement of laws, rules and regulations of the Department.

Travel Required: Not required

Qualifications Required: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed in this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

All applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications:

Education: Must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association. (Must provide transcripts prior to selection).

Bar Membership: Must possess a current active bar membership in good standing. Admission to the bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, or Federal Court is acceptable. (Must provide a copy of active bar membership prior to selection).

Grade Requirements: To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have a minimum of four years of professional legal experience, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level.

Prior Experience: Qualified candidates will have specific experience in leadership and supervisory responsibilities such as:

• Leadership or supervision of lawyers or other professional personnel
• Technical and administrative supervision
• Direction of the operation of a legal office, division, or program
• Assignment, review, and evaluation of the work performed by subordinates
• Performance management activities, such as development of performance plans, conducting evaluations, issue resolution, and identification of training and development needs
• Advising senior executive officials on complex legal and programmatic issues
• Prioritization of duties, multitasking, and timely completion of assignments

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you demonstrate proficiency in the core competencies listed below:

• Leadership
• Supervisory skills
• Strategic thinking
• Accountability
• Developing others
• Conflict management
• Organizational management
• Analytical thinking
• Legal writing
• Sound judgment
• Attention to detail
• Collaboration and conflict resolution skills
• Technological affinity
• Agility/Adaptability
• Interest in the law/field
• Time management/ability to manage multiple priorities

Applications will be evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts. If a candidate is deemed qualified, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be evaluated by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-qualified category will be considered for the position.

Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Registered or exempt from Selective Service (www.sss.gov)
• If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Two-year probationary period may be required.
• If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
• Financial disclosure statement may be required.
• In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 15, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public. Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. To demonstrate commitment to the HHS goal of a drug-free workplace and to set an example for other Federal employees, employees not in a testing designated position may volunteer for unannounced random testing by notifying their Drug-free Federal Workplace Program Point of Contact upon hiring.
• Bargaining Unit: No
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be paid: No
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized: No
• Student loan repayment incentive may be authorized: No
• Annual leave for non-federal service may be authorized: No
• Telework Eligible: Per agency policy. Employee will be required to report to the DAB’s Washington, D.C. office.
• Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
• This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service.

Instructions to Apply: Please submit the following documents by email to DABCareers@hhs.gov, and include the following announcement number in the subject line: LI-27159.

• Cover letter highlighting relevant work experience to the core competencies listed above (optional).
• Resume (limited to 2 pages).
• One legal writing sample that demonstrates your legal reasoning and analytical skills (not to exceed 10 pages). Your writing sample should be recently written and must be researched, written, and edited by you.
• For current or former federal employees, a copy of your most recent SF-50.

The DAB complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). The DAB does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity).

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Requests for reasonable accommodation may be submitted to Lamekia.Barbour@hhs.gov.