Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program)

Summary

With nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. To learn more, click the links below: IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site Meet Our People Learn about our Legal Divisions

Duties

The Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) serves as the executive for the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) organizational component of the Office of Chief Counsel. The incumbent is responsible for managing, directing and providing legal advice for programs and services related to the mission of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, known as the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) (see Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 7803(c)). The incumbent coordinates all legal services provided to the NTA and the NTA's headquarters employees, and is responsible for reviewing, elevating, and coordinating legal advice provided by field Chief Counsel offices to field TAS offices. The Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) is also responsible for consulting with and advising the NTA about the issuance of Counsel guidance, legislative proposals, regulations, and other advice, that impacts areas of interest to the NTA and for assisting with the review of any legal matters included in either of the NTA's reports to Congress required by section 7803(c). As the Office's recognized expert on all issues involving TAS and taxpayer rights, the incumbent serves as the chief legal advisor to the Deputy Chief Counsel (Operations), the NTA and TAS, and other Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials on issues involving the development, interpretation and application of Internal Revenue Code sections 7803(a)(3), Execution of duties in accordance with taxpayer rights, 7803(c), Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, Internal Revenue Code sections 7811 (Taxpayer Assistance Orders) and 7526 (Low-income Taxpayer Clinics), related off-Code provisions, and any future related Code or off-Code provisions. The incumbent is responsible for directing the development of legislation, regulations, rulings and advisory opinions on these areas, as well as the coordination of litigation matters, when appropriate. The Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program) supervises a staff of GS-15 attorneys and support personnel engaged in providing legal guidance and assistance on these matters. As delegated, the incumbent represents the Office/Chief Counsel on policy and program matters involving other Counsel and IRS organizations, the Department of Treasury, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the General Counsel, and the Department of Justice (DOJ). As a Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate Program), major duties include: Serves as Chief Counsel's principal representative in coordinating the delivery of legal services to the NTA and the NTA's headquarters employees. Monitors activities of Counsel's field and National Office functions to ensure services are timely, of high quality, and responsive to the needs of the NTA and the NTA's headquarters staff, and/or TAS field personnel, as appropriate. Works with Counsel staff, as needed, on a case, or office basis to improve service. Alerts the Chief Counsel to any systemic organizational impediments and makes recommendations for effecting program improvements. Serves as a central point of contact for all questions/issues relating to Counsel's role in providing legal support to the NTA and TAS. Directs request for assistance, and provides liaison support, when needed, to facilitate the process of the NTA's requests for legal advice from the National Office. Reviews, elevates, and coordinates legal advice issued to local TAS offices from field Counsel offices. Serves as link to Counsel staff to advise of any concerns expressed by the NTA. Where possible, works with the NTA and/or Counsel staff to address controversial, or problematic program issues. Coordinates the IRS's position in litigation with the Associate and Division Counsels, the IRS, and DOJ in areas within the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel's jurisdiction. Reviews Taxpayer Assistance Orders and Taxpayer Advocate Directives for legal accuracy and makes recommendations to the NTA and TAS regarding administrative resolution of them and prepares other documents setting out TAS's independent position in such cases. Coordinates the resolution of cases and other matters where the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel's office. Works with the IRS, Division Commissioners, Associate and Division Counsels, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate (including the NTA), and other components of the IRS as applicable. Advises DOJ on the facts and legal positions of the IRS in matters within jurisdiction; prepares recommendations concerning defense, settlement, appeal, or certiorari of cases involving TAS; and coordinates other matters with DOJ as required. Processes or coordinates, as appropriate, petitions and complaints, briefs, actions on decision, and other matters.

Qualifications and evaluation

Applicants will be considered based on their overall background as it relates to the position to be filled. Interviews for the initial selection may be held at the option of the Executive Resources Board (ERB). All application materials and interviews, if conducted, will be used in the final evaluation and selection process. Candidates found minimally qualified will be further evaluated by the ERB based on the extent and quality of their experience as it relates to the ECQs and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) needed for this position. Appropriate consideration will be given for job-related training, education, awards, publications, and supervisory appraisals of job performance. (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.) Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview, such as travel to and from the interview site.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

How to apply

The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13031536 To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

Required documents

A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancy Questionnaire Responses, and 3. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a two-page resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES). To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. 2. VACANCY QUESTION RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy 3. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: In addition, applicants are strongly recommended to submit the following supporting documents: Memorandum of Interest Performance Evaluation (not more than 2 years old) SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE (SES) NONCOMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If you are currently serving under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, proof of SES noncompetitive eligibility must be submitted: SF-50 showing your status as a current Career SES appointee, former Career SES appointee with career SES reinstatement eligibility, or current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive who is/was employed in a Federal government agency that has an interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) allowing for movement between the agency's SES-equivalent personnel system and the SES; OR A certificate of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP). This applies only if your ECQs have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board through the SES CDP. Note: Former Career Reserve Senior Executive Service employees and graduates of a SES Candidate Development Program who have been certified by OPM's QRB are not required to address the ECQs EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: If selected, you will be required to submit an original Certificate of Good Standing from your State Bar if not already received by the agency.

Additional information

Relocation expenses may be authorized if eligible, for current federal employees. This is a non-bargaining unit position. We offer opportunities for telework. We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules. Conditions of Employment Continued: Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed). You will serve a one-year Senior Executive Service (SES) probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. Public Trust (85PS) Background Investigation required Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Undergo an income tax verification. The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns. This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"