Duties

The General Counsel also serves as legal adviser to the ASC Board Members, the Executive Director of the ASC, as well as other ASC officers and employees rendering legal advice with regard to the statutes and other laws that concern regulation of the appraisal industry and that govern the operations of the ASC.

Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible for interpreting statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions pertaining to all activities of the ASC. In particular, the incumbent is responsible for interpreting laws affecting the appraisal regulatory system. The principal statute involved is Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989. Other statutes and regulations frequently interpreted and/or applied include: The Freedom of Information Act; FFIEC member agency appraisal regulations; the Administrative Procedure Act; the Federal Acquisition Regulations; OMB directives regarding the use of appropriated monies; the laws and regulations governing grant awards and administration; as well as OPM regulations and directives concerning the employment of government personnel. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for analyzing the laws and regulations of the States and Territories governing appraisals for their consistency with Title XI.

The incumbent serves as legal advisor to the ASC Board Members, the Executive Director and ASC staff. He/she provides legal counsel and advice to the Executive Director on major policy issues and matters that concern administrative and operational problems, conflicts of interest, rules of conduct, statements of financial interest and other legal matters. He/she acts as Designated Agency Ethics Official.

The incumbent represents the ASC in dealing with legislators, courts, attorneys, the FFIEC, other government agencies, and various other groups or individuals interested in the work of the ASC. He/she clarifies the ASC's legal position, identifies emerging legal issues, and participates with ASC staff in finding solutions to issues of mutual concern to the ASC and outside parties. He/she drafts or provides oversight for drafting of regulatory analysis and notices for comments or notices for proposed rulemaking and final rules to be published in the Federal Register.

The incumbent is responsible for comments on proposed legislation in support of ASC activities, commenting on legislative and/or regulatory proposals from members of Congress, other Federal agencies, and State agencies, and providing appropriate documentation and support for other legislative matters of interest to the ASC.

The incumbent furnishes legal views, factual information, and required assistance to the FFIEC member agencies, to the Department of Justice (where necessary), as well as to others in connection with litigation in the courts involving matters within the jurisdiction of the ASC. He/she furnishes, when appropriate, legal views, factual information, and assistance to law enforcement and other agencies in connection with potential violations of civil or criminal statutes.

The incumbent maintains a current knowledge of legal issues facing the ASC and the appraisal industry. He/she works closely with the ASC's Executive Director and ASC staff to assure the proper achievement of the mission of the ASC.

Incumbent supervises and reviews the work of lower grade attorneys on the staff of the ASC. He/she may also supervise engaged law student assistants and/or summer interns in the preparation of legal work. As senior attorney, the incumbent makes assignments, reviews, approves, and monitors the work of the above staff members. As necessary, serves as team leader for special projects. Coordinates such projects and integrates the individual efforts of others into a final work product.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The guidelines are broadly stated and nonspecific, such as basic legislation and regulations, broad policy statements, precedents and past legal opinions, court decisions, and Comptroller General decisions. The employee is required to use judgment and ingenuity in using and interpreting existing guidelines and applying them to the specific issue or area of work.

Incumbent works primarily in a remote-duty office setting, with occasional appearance in boardroom or courtroom setting. Occasional travel is required.

This position will be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure as a new employee and then will be required to submit a Public Financial Disclosure annually.

Qualifications

The incumbent must have extensive knowledge of general law and legal procedures and a specialized knowledge of the laws administered by the ASC.

Incumbent also must have comprehensive and detailed knowledge in the areas of procurement, administrative and general law, legal authority of the ASC, contracting, negotiation techniques, and preparation of legislative items.

Incumbent also must have ability to apply complex legal theories to factual issues involving drafting, interpretation, and application of legislation, regulations, contracts, orders, decisions, opinions, and other legal documents and records for their solution. This involves a high order of original and creative legal endeavor to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests.

Incumbent must make complex decisions and recommendations that significantly affect or change important public policies and programs throughout the financial community.

Incumbent must have experience, sound judgment, and integrity, and must have the ability to study, research, and develop written and oral opinions and findings regarding complex statutes and legislative proposals affecting operations and functions of a government agency.

Incumbent must have comprehensive oral and written communications skills to present, explain, justify, and support legal conclusions, opinions, and findings accurately and to identify recommended and alternative courses of action to the ASC members and ASC staff.

Incumbent must be able to make oral and written presentations in a clear and concise manner.

Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively in the capacity of spokesperson or representative of the ASC.

Incumbent must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State, Territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Incumbent must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have professional law degree (LLB or JD).

Education

Incumbent must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State, Territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Incumbent must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have professional law degree (LLB or JD).