General Counsel

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as the General Counsel.

This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other General Counsel, ES-0905-00 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Applicant must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be a member of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. ALL APPLICANTS must submit proof of current bar membership and proof of successful completion of education requirements. You must provide your transcripts to support your educational claims. Transcripts may be unofficial copies, but they must come from an accredited college or university. Click here to search the database of accredited institutions.

Foreign Education. If you are using education completed at foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs. Foreign education must be deemed equivalent to that gained at an accredited U.S. education program. For further information visit the U.S. Department of Education's website concerning foreign qualifications.

Education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination.

The major duties of the position are:

• Advises the named fiduciaries of the Thrift Savings Plan (the Members and the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB)) concerning their fiduciary and other legal duties and responsibilities under the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986 (FERSA), as amended.
• Provides advice to the Executive Director and the staff of the FRTIB and its contractors concerning the proper interpretation of the provisions of FERSA and other applicable laws and regulations in administering the TSP.
• Provides advice to the Executive Director and the staff of the FRTIB concerning issues arising from the FRTIB's status as an independent agency within the Executive Branch of the United States.
• Interprets laws and regulations relating to human resources, contracts, ethics, computer security, and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. Oversees ethics and Privacy Act training to the named fiduciaries, FRTIB staff, and contractor personnel.
• Serves as the Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP).
• Provides advice concerning applicability of and compliance with laws, regulations, Executive Orders, OMB Memoranda, and other materials as they relate to FRTIB and TSP operations.

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Do NOT submit Executive Core Qualifications in lieu of a resume.

To apply for this position you need only submit a resume which CANNOT exceed FIVE (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. You must submit a resume which provides evidence of how you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs). Please ensure that your resume emphasizes your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions related to the MTQs and ECQs described below. An example of a resume showing possession of the ECQs is available here.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service, or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.

Executive Core Qualifications:

• 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. (Competencies: creativity and innovation, external awareness, flexibility, resilience, strategic thinking, vision)
• ECQ 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. (Competencies: conflict management, leveraging diversity, developing others, team building)
• ECQ 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. (Competencies: accountability, customer service, decisiveness, entrepreneurship, problem solving, technical credibility)
• ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. (Competencies: financial management, human capital management, technology management)
• ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: 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. (Competencies: partnering, political savvy, influencing/negotiating)

Mandatory Technical Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of and demonstrated experience in providing legal oversight is some or all of the following areas: privacy law, freedom of information, ethics, compliance, employee benefit plans (e.g.; 401k, 403b), fiduciary responsibilities, and procurement law. This includes understanding complex legal issues and short- and long-term consequences to provide legal advice and opinions to executive leadership in these areas.
• Experience managing a team of attorneys and possession of the supervisory and managerial skill and ability to develop, coordinate, and administer Agency programs, policies, and objectives.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.