Open Career Opportunities

Current Openings:


General Attorney - Region 10 Office, The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) (Seattle, WA)

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently seeking applications for General Attorney positions in its Region 10 office.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: Seattle, WA

PAY SCALE: GS-0905 - 11/12/13/14

SALARY RANGE: $73,098 - $160,047

OPEN PERIOD: October 28, 2022 – until filled; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting November 28, 2022.   

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking an attorney to join its office in Seattle, Washington (also referred to as Region 10 or Region X)  The Seattle office provides comprehensive litigation services (both administrative and judicial litigation), legal advice, counseling, and negotiation services to the Department, with an emphasis on services to those HHS agencies that have staff present in the Region 10 states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.  Primary legal services involve Medicare enforcement actions and grant disallowances appealable to the Departmental Appeals Board, programs and services provided through the Indian Health Service in Alaska and Portland Areas, contracts and compacts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), employment and information law matters, and Medicare and Medicaid financing, and bankruptcy.  We have a diverse and collegial office with eight (8) attorneys and two administrative legal resources staff. Attorneys are expected to work independently and as a team with more than 500 OGC colleagues around the nation. As set out in Executive Order 14035,  the office strives to cultivate a workforce that draws from the full diversity of the Nation, and to be a model for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.

OGC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. OGC is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html  

For additional information about the Federal pay scale, leave, and benefits, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/  and https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/ogc/careers/benefits-and-programs/index.html.

DUTIES:

This is a General Attorney position in the OGC-Region X office, located in Seattle, Washington.

  • The incumbent may be asked to serve any of the client agencies within HHS. Attorneys in OGC-Region X provide legal advice and litigation support to the Department in complex matters requiring extensive research and sophisticated analysis of administrative law, judicial decisions, and statutes and regulations. Attorneys must be competent in a wide range of legal skills, including analytical and problem-solving skills; experience preparing legal briefs and/or memoranda; experience in applying statutes, regulations, and policies; experience providing oral and written advice; and the ability to relate effectively with clients (in-person and remote).  Attorneys are expected to do their own legal research and writing and be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Your resume, cover letter, 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. Preference may be given to individuals who qualify at GS-12 or higher.

The following are required qualifications:

  • A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a State, U. S. commonwealth, U. S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Applicants must have strong written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to handle multiple projects, activities, and issues simultaneously.
  • Applicants must possess digital literacy skills (the skills required to use technology safely, effectively and responsibly.)  The duties of the position require using a government-furnished computer, using email and word processing systems, electronic court filing, reviewing and editing documents, and participating in meetings and conference calls which may be digital (i.e. Zoom, WebEx, MS Teams, etc.) or in person.
  • Applicants must have a demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment both independently and as members of coordinated intra- and inter-agency teams, while maintaining a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS Office Human Resources (OHR), the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non- selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position may be in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Please submit the following documents to [email protected] using the subject line “General Attorney Advisor” in the forwarding email. To receive full consideration, submit all materials as soon as possible; applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis until filled:

  • Provide a cover letter of no more than 2-pages addressing the required competencies to:
    • Pamela Parker (she/her)
      Office of the General Counsel, Suite 1620
      U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Region 10
      701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1600, MS/10
      Seattle, WA 98104
  • Legal writing sample(s) that highlights your analytical and writing skills (max of 10 pages, excerpts permitted)
  • Resume
  • If you are a current Federal employee, please provide a copy of your last performance appraisal.
  • Names and contact information for at least three professional references (we will discuss before contacting)

General Attorney - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division (Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD)

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently seeking applications for General Attorney positions in its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD

PAY SCALE: GS-15

SALARY RANGE: $148,484 – $176,300

OPEN PERIOD: September 16, 2022 – until filled; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting October 15, 2022

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions. 

OGC’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division has immediate openings for experienced staff attorneys in its Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD offices (with a generous telework policy).

CMS Division staff attorneys provide a broad range of legal services for several HHS programs and clients on issues that affect millions of Americans and regularly garner significant news coverage. The Division’s clients and programs include Medicare, Medicaid, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). 

OGC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. OGC is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

DUTIES:

The openings are for positions in our Program Review and Litigation Groups.

Program Review Group attorneys provide legal advice on policies, regulations, and guidance issued by CMS, the nation’s largest healthcare payer. These openings present a rare opportunity to work on historic and transformative changes to the healthcare system. The Division will advise CMS as it implements the healthcare provisions of the newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) – a law that will have enormous consequences for CMS programs.  The IRA gives Medicare unprecedented authority to negotiate certain high-cost prescription drug prices covered by Parts B and D and requires payment of inflationary rebates for Parts B and D drugs, similar to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.

These Program Review Group attorney positions will serve primarily to:

  • Advise CMS on the implementation of groundbreaking changes,
  • Review and analyze documents such as drug manufacturer agreements and guidance documents
  • Identify and resolve legal issues pertaining to all aspects of a new Drug Price Negotiation Program, Medicare Part D Benefit redesign, health insurance market reform, and changes to Marketplace premium tax credit.

Litigation Group attorneys manage a caseload that spans a broad range of complex topics, including high profile Medicare reimbursement and coverage matters, and defense of Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations and policies.  Much of our litigation involves issues of first impression.

These Litigation Group attorney positions will serve primarily to:

  • Identify and resolve legal issues pertaining to all aspects of a new Drug Price Negotiation Program, Medicare Part D Benefit redesign, health insurance market reform, and changes to Marketplace premium tax credit, and
  • Defend CMS in other federal court litigation (involving Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA), including both direct representation and in support of Department of Justice representation.

These positions offer significant responsibility and opportunity to engage in work on unique and groundbreaking matters. They require creative legal thinking, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and strong communication skills. Attorneys will have direct client contact and interact with colleagues throughout OGC and other government offices.

Candidates will be highly motivated industrious professionals with substantial experience independently managing portfolios of complex, specialized, and important legal issues, as demonstrated by, for example, extensive work on precedent-setting high-profile matters that attract national scrutiny or with an important impact on major regulated entities, sectors, or public or private interests. Qualified candidates will also have strong academic credentials, contract drafting and review skills and/or significant regulatory and administrative law experience, demonstrated ability to work under competing deadlines, and superb writing, communication, and analytical skills. Significant experience or familiarity with Medicare, particularly Medicare Parts D and B drug issues, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and health insurance regulation is desirable.  Additional information on qualifications for attorney positions at the highest GS level can be found in OPM Guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed in this announcement. 

The following are required qualifications:

  • A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
  • At least four years of legal experience as a practicing attorney is required.
  • Proof of active bar status and that attorney is in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a state, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Strong academic credentials.
  • Administrative law experience, particularly regulatory experience and/or experience in contract/agreement drafting and review.
  • Exemplary legal writing, analytical, and communication skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with outstanding organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS Office Human Resources (OHR), the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non- selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position may be in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a short cover letter, resume, one legal writing sample, and law school transcript by email to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected] and [email protected]. Before selecting any candidate, we will request three references and will contact those references upon permission of the candidate.

This is an open and continuous announcement.  We will review resumes on a rolling basis and continue to review resumes until all vacancies are filled.  We will conduct interviews by telephone, WebEx, or other video conferencing platform.


General Attorney - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division (Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD)

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently seeking applications for General Attorney positions in its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD

PAY SCALE: GS-13/14

SALARY RANGE: $106,823 – $164,102

OPEN PERIOD: September 16, 2022 – until filled; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting October 15, 2022

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions. 

OGC’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division has immediate openings for experienced staff attorneys in its Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD offices (with a generous telework policy).

CMS Division staff attorneys provide a broad range of legal services for several HHS programs and clients on issues that affect millions of Americans and regularly garner significant news coverage. The Division’s clients and programs include Medicare, Medicaid, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). 

OGC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. OGC is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

DUTIES:

The openings are for positions in our Program Review and Litigation Groups.

Program Review Group attorneys provide legal advice on policies, regulations, and guidance issued by CMS, the nation’s largest healthcare payer. These openings present a rare opportunity to work on historic and transformative changes to the healthcare system. The Division will advise CMS as it implements the healthcare provisions of the newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) – a law that will have enormous consequences for CMS programs.  The IRA gives Medicare unprecedented authority to negotiate certain high-cost prescription drug prices covered by Parts B and D and requires payment of inflationary rebates for Parts B and D drugs, similar to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.

These Program Review Group attorney positions will serve primarily to:

  • Advise CMS on the implementation of groundbreaking changes,
  • Review and analyze documents such as drug manufacturer agreements and guidance documents
  • Identify and resolve legal issues pertaining to all aspects of a new Drug Price Negotiation Program, Medicare Part D Benefit redesign, health insurance market reform, and changes to Marketplace premium tax credit.

Litigation Group attorneys manage a caseload that spans a broad range of complex topics, including high profile Medicare reimbursement and coverage matters, and defense of Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations and policies.  Much of our litigation involves issues of first impression.

These Litigation Group attorney positions will serve primarily to:

  • Identify and resolve legal issues pertaining to all aspects of a new Drug Price Negotiation Program, Medicare Part D Benefit redesign, health insurance market reform, and changes to Marketplace premium tax credit, and
  • Defend CMS in other federal court litigation (involving Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA), including both direct representation and in support of Department of Justice representation.

These positions offer significant responsibility and opportunity to engage in work on unique and groundbreaking matters. They require creative legal thinking, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and strong communication skills. Attorneys will have direct client contact and interact with colleagues throughout OGC and other government offices.

Ideal candidates will have strong academic credentials, contract drafting and review skills and/or significant regulatory and administrative law experience, demonstrated ability to work under competing deadlines, and superb writing, communication, and analytical skills. Experience or familiarity with Medicare, particularly Medicare Parts D and B drug issues, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and health insurance regulation is desirable. We strongly prefer candidates with at least 4 years of legal experience.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed in this announcement. 

The following are required qualifications:

  • A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
  • At least two years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.  Four years or more legal experience is strongly preferred.
  • Proof of active bar status and that attorney is in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a state, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Strong academic credentials.
  • Administrative law experience, particularly regulatory experience and/or experience in contract/agreement drafting and review.
  • Exemplary legal writing, analytical, and communication skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with outstanding organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS Office Human Resources (OHR), the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non- selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position may be in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a short cover letter, resume, one legal writing sample, and law school transcript by email to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected] and [email protected]. Before selecting any candidate, we will request three references and will contact those references upon permission of the candidate.

This is an open and continuous announcement.  We will review resumes on a rolling basis and continue to review resumes until all vacancies are filled.  We will conduct interviews by telephone, WebEx, or other video conferencing platform.


General Attorney - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division (Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD)

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently seeking applications for General Attorney positions in its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD

PAY SCALE: GS-13/14

SALARY RANGE:  $106,823 - $164,102

OPEN PERIOD:  June 17, 2022 - until filled; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting July 18, 2022

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions.

OGC’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division, has immediate openings for experienced staff attorneys in its Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD offices (with a generous telework policy).

CMS Division staff attorneys provide a broad range of legal services for several HHS programs and clients on issues that affect millions of Americans and regularly garner significant news coverage.  The Division’s clients and programs include Medicare, Medicaid, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). 

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

DUTIES:

The openings are for positions in our Program Review Group.  Program Review Group attorneys provide legal advice on policies, regulations, and guidance issued by CMS, the nation’s largest health care payer, and ONC, which stands at the forefront of the nation’s health IT efforts.  Because our clients’ programs are often the subject of legislation, significant public scrutiny, and litigation, Program Review Group attorneys frequently provide counsel on challenging and novel legal questions, including those of such importance that they ultimately have been decided by the United States Supreme Court.

These positions will serve primarily to advise:

  • CMMI, which tests innovations in Medicare and Medicaid payment and service delivery,
  • CCIIO, which implements health insurance market reforms, health insurance Marketplaces, and the No Surprises Act,
  • The CMCS, which oversees the Medicaid programs that provide health coverage for nearly 85 million Americans, and
  • ONC, which coordinates the nationwide effort to advance the electronic exchange of health IT.

These positions offer significant responsibility and opportunity to engage in professionally rewarding and intellectually engaging work on the cutting edge of health care delivery.  They require creative legal thinking, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and strong communication skills.  Attorneys will have direct client contact and interact with colleagues throughout OGC and other government offices.  Day-to-day work involves reviewing documents such as CMMI model participation agreements, Medicaid demonstration projects, and stakeholder correspondence; analyzing rules, guidance, and educational materials; and identifying and resolving legal issues pertaining to CMMI model design and implementation, health insurance market reform and Marketplace implementation, and federal requirements for the states’ operation of their Medicaid and CHIP programs.

Ideal candidates will have strong academic credentials, contract drafting and review skills and/or significant regulatory and administrative law experience, demonstrated ability to work under competing deadlines, and superb writing, communication, and analytical skills.  Experience or familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CMS quality reporting and incentive programs, CMMI models, and health insurance regulations is desirable.  We strongly prefer candidates with at least 4 years of legal experience.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed in this announcement. 

The following are required qualifications:

  • A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
  • At least two years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.  Four years or more legal experience is strongly preferred.
  • Proof of active bar status and that attorney is in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a state, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Strong academic credentials.
  • Administrative law experience, particularly regulatory experience and/or experience in contract/agreement drafting and review.
  • Exemplary legal writing, analytical, and communication skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with outstanding organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS OHR, the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non- selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position may be in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a short cover letter, resume, one legal writing sample, and law school transcript (if less than 10 years of legal experience) by email to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected]. Before selecting any candidate, we will request three references and will contact those references upon permission of the candidate.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.  OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

This is an open and continuous announcement.  We will review resumes on a rolling basis and continue to review resumes until all vacancies are filled.  We will conduct interviews by telephone, WebEx, or other video conferencing platform.


Attorney Advisor - Region IX (San Francisco, CA)

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for a General Attorney Advisor position in its San Francisco office.

Who May Apply:  This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION:  San Francisco, CA

SERIES & GRADE:  GS-0905-11/14

SALARY RANGE:  $81,338 - $176,300

OPEN PERIOD:  OPEN UNTIL FILLED

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking an attorney to join its Region IX - San Francisco office. OGC-Region IX provides comprehensive legal services to almost all components within HHS.

OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

DUTIES:

This is a General Attorney Advisor position in the HHS San Francisco Regional Office. The attorney will be expected to provide a variety of legal services to one or more Department components in the region, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Indian Health Service (IHS), on matters which often require coordination with other components of the Department, other OGC offices, or the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorneys may represent the agency in litigation against hospitals, nursing homes, health plans, clinical laboratories, and other health care providers to enforce compliance with federal requirements; aid in the recovery of misspent Medicare, Medicaid, and federal grant funds; counsel health care providers and administrators at over 20 IHS-operated hospitals and health care facilities throughout the region on a range of issues related to patient care and hospital operations; advise OCR in the investigation and resolution of unauthorized uses and/or disclosures of personal health information by health care entities; and represent the agency in hearings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the National Labor Relations Board. Attorneys must be able to work independently and as a team with the 400+ OGC colleagues across the nation. Demonstrated experience or familiarity in federal court or administrative litigation or negotiations and/or a government law background would be helpful.

This position will be filled at the GS-11, GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14 level ($81,338 - $176,300) depending on experience and qualifications. The positions will be located in San Francisco, CA. Reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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

 The following are required qualifications:

  • You must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Have at least (3) three years of experience after law school as a practicing attorney.
  • Possess proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice before the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Possess substantial familiarity in one or more of the following areas: civil litigation, employment law, or health care law.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection, and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify:  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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E- Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit:  Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • A confidential OGE Financial disclosure statement will be required. https://www2.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Resources/Financial+Disclosure
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position is not in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Please submit the following documents to [email protected] to receive full consideration:

  • Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and highlighting any relevant experience
  • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received, and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment)
  • Legal writing samples (3-5 pages preferred)

Attorney Advisor - Legislation Division (Washington, DC)

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for an Attorney Advisor position in its Legislation Division.

Who May Apply:  This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens and will be used to fill one position.

DUTY STATION:  Washington, D.C.

SALARY RANGE:  $74,950 - $164,102

SERIES & GRADE:  GS-0905-11/14

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14

OPEN PERIOD:  May 17, 2022 – until filled (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting May 31, 2022)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking an attorney to join its Legislation Division. The attorneys in the Legislation Division, as counsel to the Secretary and the Department, provide a range of legal services, notably the drafting of legislative language. The OGC Legislation Division represents the Department, advocating its positions before OMB and other agencies, and (to the extent authorized by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation or the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources) before congressional staff. Its lawyers also provide advice on the legislative process and on principles of statutory interpretation.

OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

DUTIES:

The attorney will provide legal advice and services to a variety of HHS components and would draft any bill language in those areas, would respond to OMB clearance requests for other agencies' testimony, would respond to HHS requests for OGC clearance of HHS testimony.

We are seeking to fill the position at the GS-11 to GS-14 level ($74,950 - $164,102) depending on experience and qualifications. The position will be located in Washington, D.C., and reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available. The candidate must have at least one year of legal experience post bar admission.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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

 The following are required qualifications:

  • You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Have at least one year of experience after law school as a practicing attorney
  • Proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a State, U. S. commonwealth, U. S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Candidates must also have exemplary legal writing, analysis and oral advocacy abilities, possess excellent interpersonal skills, and display a capacity to work with diverse individuals and groups.
  • It will be a plus for the candidate to have familiarity and experience with legislative drafting, the legislative process and the role of the Executive Branch in the legislative process. 
  • It will also be a plus for the candidate to have familiarity and experience with statutes that the Department of HHS administers and statutes of general government-wide application.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS OHR, the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements:  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.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action.  In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.  Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify:  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.  Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit:  All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required. 
  • Two-year trial period may be required. 
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position is not in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Please submit the following documents to [email protected] using the subject line “Legislation Division Attorney” in the forwarding email to receive full consideration:

  • Cover letter addressed to the Office of the General Counsel Hiring Official.
  • Resume (must include education, including names of undergraduate and law school, degree received and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment (full time or part time) and supervisors' names and telephone numbers.
  • Two legal writing samples.
  • Proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice in a state, territory of the US, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • Names and contact information for at least three professional references.

General Attorney Advisor - (Washington, DC, Baltimore, or Rockville)

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for a General Attorney Advisor position in its General Law Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: Washington, DC, Baltimore, or Rockville

SALARY RANGE:  $74,950 - $164,102

SERIES & GRADE:  GS-0905-11/14

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14

OPEN PERIOD:  May 4, 2022 - January 27, 2023 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting May 11 , 2022.)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), providing quality representation and legal advice in a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking attorneys to join its General Law Division (GLD), Procurement, Fiscal, and Information Law Branch (PFIL). GLD provides general legal support to the entire department in the primary practice areas of procurement, fiscal, and information law.

OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at:  http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

DUTIES:

This is an opening for General Attorney positions in the Procurement, Fiscal, and Information Law (PFIL) Branch in the General Law Division. PFIL is seeking attorneys with experience in federal procurement and contract law. The incumbent will advise contracting officials on all aspects of the source selection process and contract administration, including the application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and other federal statutes and regulations regarding federal contracting. The incumbent will litigate bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) as well as Contract Disputes Act claims before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. Other duties will include advising agency officials on other general and administrative law topics. Familiarity with other general law areas (e.g., federal appropriations law and federal information law) is desirable.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed on this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. To be eligible for selection at the GS-11 level, the applicant must have one year of relevant experience as a practicing attorney. To be eligible for selection at the GS-12 level, the applicant must have two years of experience in the practice area or one year of experience plus an LLM. To be eligible for selection at the GS-13 level, the applicant must have in excess of two years of experience in the practice area.  To be eligible for selection at the GS-14 level, the applicant must have a minimum of three and one-half years of experience in the practice area

The following are required qualifications:

  • You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • You must have been admitted to a bar in one of the highest courts of a State, U. S. Commonwealth, U.S. territories, or the District of Columbia and be in good standing.
  • Possess familiarity with federal procurement, contract law and related litigation. Strong consideration will be given to candidates with 5 or more years of federal procurement and contracting law experience.
  • You should also possess outstanding client counseling skills; superior legal writing and research ability and demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service.

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

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Official law school transcripts must be submitted prior to final job offer.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E- Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement Safer Federal Workforce Task Force 2 pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement no sooner than 30 days after you are notified. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework as many as eight days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 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 tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order 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.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Please submit the following documents to [email protected] to receive full consideration by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate, law school, and post-graduate (if applicable) degree received and date graduated; date admitted to bar and state of bar membership; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment and supervisor name(s) and telephone number(s) and whether the supervisors can be contacted
  • References (at least three professional references with contact information)
  • Two brief writing samples (up to 5 pages each)
  • Law school transcripts

National Complex Litigation Attorney - National Complex Litigations and Investigations Division (Washington, DC, or Nationwide)

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for a National Complex Litigation Attorney position in its National Complex Litigations and Investigations Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all US Citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: Washington, DC, or Nationwide – An applicant may have primary office at, and work from, one of OGC's 10 regional offices, which are: Boston (Region 1), New York City (Region 2), Philadelphia (Region 3), Atlanta (Region 4), Chicago (Region V), Dallas (Region 8), San Francisco (Region IX), and Seattle (Region X).

Grade: GS-13/15

OPEN PERIOD: This is an open and continuous announcement. The first deadline for application packages will be Friday, August 20, 2021.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is recruiting for multiple positions under this announcement ranging from GS-13 to GS-15. OGC's National Complex Litigation and Investigations Division (NCLID) serves as the in-house counsel for the Department at large focusing on complex cases from across the HHS litigation portfolio. NCLID cases include nationwide class action litigation against HHS programs operated by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), as well as administrative litigation challenging healthcare privacy or other enforcement actions by HHS components such as the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and disputes involving tens of millions of dollars in grant funding administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and ACF. In addition, the NCLID serves as the in-house counsel for HHS on matters that involve consent decrees or court-ordered external monitors.

NCLID litigators will report directly to the Immediate Office of the General Counsel (IO), and will work closely with the Associate General Counsels (AGC) and program attorneys from the other OGC Divisions.  They will also work closely with attorneys from the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

The workload for NCLID litigators may include direct representation of the Secretary of Health and Human Services in administrative forums, or in federal court as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSA) (including in cases delegated by the US Department of Justice).

Note: This is an open and continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies through the closing date listed. This announcement may close on the listed date or when all positions are filled, whichever comes first. Applications received by Friday, August 6, 2021, will receive first round consideration.

We are seeking to fill the position at the GS – 13 to GS-15 level, salary will be based upon locality, which will be adjusted based on the appointed location.

OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

DUTIES:

Brief the IO and AGCs on new court filings and orders.
Develop litigation strategy together with DOJ and HHS stakeholders.
Draft or review and comment on draft pleadings, motions, and memoranda of law.
Work with DOJ to prepare HHS witnesses declarations, or prepare HHS witnesses to provide deposition, hearing, or trial testimony.
Prepare responses to discovery requests and manage document collections, review, and productions.
Perform the litigation functions described above in direct representations of the Secretary in administration forums or federal district court.
Conduct internal investigations regarding program compliance and advise the IO, AGCs, and HHS program clients regarding same.
Work with DOJ and HHS program clients to present documents and information to court ordered monitors for program compliance.
Travel Required: 20% or less
NCLID attorneys in regional offices will likely have to travel to Washington, DC for meetings at least quarterly (travel will be reimbursed).
NCLID attorneys in Washington, DC or OGC regional office will likely have to travel to other locations to attend depositions, hearings, or other proceedings.

For additional information about OGC's mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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

The IO seeks attorneys with superior academic credentials, exceptional research, writing, and interpersonal skills.

The following are required qualifications:

  • A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Active bar status in good standing and eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Complex litigation experience, preferably at a large firm or in government, is required.
  • At the GS-13 level: You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LLB from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing, and two or more years professional legal experience post bar admission. *Preference will be given to candidates who possess three years of professioanl legal experience post bar admission.
  • At the GS-14 level: You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LLB from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing, and three or more years professional legal experience post bar admission. *Preference will be given to candidates who possess four years of professioanl legal experience post bar admission.
  • At the GS-15 level: You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LLB from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing, and four or more years professional legal experience post bar admission. *Preference will be given to candidates who possess eight years of professioanl legal experience post bar admission.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS OHR, the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts,
  • Security and Background Requirements:  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.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action.  In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.  Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify:  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.  Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit:  All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service – http://www.sss.gov
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required. 
  • Two-year trial period may be required. 
  • Position is in the Excepted Service
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position is not in a bargaining unit. 
  • No recruitment incentives authorized
  • No student loan repayment incentive authorized
  • No Annual Leave for non-federal service authorized
  • Telework Eligible

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

To receive full consideration, the following documents must be received at [email protected], using the subject line "National Litigation Attorney" in the forwarding email, by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement:

  • Short cover letter addressed to Office of General Counsel Hiring Official, including a statement of interest.
  • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment and supervisor name(s) and telephone number(s)). You may add a notation asking to be notified prior to OGC contacting the listed supervisor.
  • One legal writing samples (no more than 10 pages)
  • Law school transcript if graduated from law school within the past five years
  • Proof of active bar status in good standing and eligibility to practice law in a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (not required if applying as a Law Clerk)

General Attorney Advisor - Region IX Office (San Francisco, CA and Sacramento, CA)

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for one or more General Attorney Advisors in its Region IX -San Francisco office, with a focus on employment or health law.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all US Citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

DUTY STATION: San Francisco, CA and Sacramento, CA

SALARY RANGE: $75,515 - $165,346

OPEN PERIOD: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

JOB SUMMARY:

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American! At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere. It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department's programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization's various agencies and divisions.

OGC is comprised of three principal subcomponents: the Immediate Office, Headquarters Divisions, and Regional Offices. Each Headquarters Division is led by an Associate General Counsel, and each of the ten Regional Offices is led by a Chief Counsel. The Region IX- San Francisco office provides litigation services, programmatic advice, and training on a wide range of legal issues involving Medicare, Medicaid, employment and personnel, the Indian Self-Determination Education and Assistance Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, civil rights, HIPAA, Head Start, and requests for information. Attorneys in OGC-Region IX may provide legal services to any agency within HHS; most work involves the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Indian Health Service, and the Office for Civil Rights. OGC-Region IX covers Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the six U.S.-affiliated Pacific jurisdictions of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. OGC-Region IX also serves as the primary legal advisor to the Indian Health Service California Area, Navajo Area (including the Gallup Indian Medical Center), Phoenix Area (including the Phoenix Indian Medical Center), and the Tucson Area.

OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

For additional information about OGC's mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.ht ml

DUTIES:

This is a General Attorney Advisor position in the HHS OGC-Region IX San Francisco Office. The attorney will be expected to provide a variety of legal services to one or more Department components in the region, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Office for Civil Rights, and the Indian Health Service, on matters which often require coordination with other components of the Department, other OGC offices, or the U.S. Department of Justice.

Attorneys may represent the agency in litigation against hospitals, nursing homes, health plans, clinical laboratories, and other health care providers to enforce compliance with federal requirements; aid in the recovery of misspent Medicare, Medicaid, and federal grant funds; counsel health care providers and administrators at over 20 Indian Health Service operated hospitals and health care facilities throughout the region on a range of issues related to patient care and hospital operations; advise the Office for Civil Rights in the investigation and resolution of unauthorized uses and/or disclosures of personal health information by health care entities; and represent the agency in hearings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the National Labor Relations Board. Attorneys must be able to work independently and as a team with the 400+ OGC colleagues across the nation.

Demonstrated experience or familiarity in health law, employment law, federal court or administrative litigation or negotiations and/or a government law background would be helpful. Attorneys may litigate before the HHS Departmental Appeals Board, EEOC, MSPB, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, or Interior Board of Indian Appeals.

This position will be filled at the GS-11, GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14 level ($75,515 - $165,346) depending on experience and qualifications. The positions will be located in San Francisco, CA or Sacramento, CA. Reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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

The following are required qualifications:

  • You must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Have at least (3) three years of experience after law school as a practicing attorney.
  • Possess proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice before the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.

The following qualifications are preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in federal employment law
  • Demonstrated experience as a litigator (federal or administrative)
  • Demonstrated experience in health law
  • Demonstrated experience working with tribal organizations or government organizations
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and be eligible to practice law before the highest court of a State, U. S. Territory, U. S. Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
  • Must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: 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. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection, and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: 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. Federal law requires DHS to use the E- Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit:Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • A confidential OGE Financial disclosure statement will be required. https://www2.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Resources/Financial+Disclosure
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position is not in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY:

Please submit the following documents to [email protected] to receive full consideration:

  • Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and highlighting any relevant experience
  • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received, and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment)
  • Legal writing sample (3-5 pages preferred)
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