Duties

Summary

This position is designated as confidential or policy-determining under the Administrative Office (AO) Personnel Act, Section 3(a)(5)(B) and, as such, is not covered by the AO's personnel regulations developed under the AO Personnel Act of 1990.

This job opportunity is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed every two weeks beginning January 21, 2021.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent of this position serves as Rules Committee Chief Counsel in the AO's Office of General Counsel. The Rules Committee Chief Counsel and staff support the Judicial Conference's Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and five advisory committees on the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence in carrying out their responsibilities under the Rules Enabling Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 331 and 2071-2077, and Judicial Conference procedures.

All members of the standing and advisory rules committees are chosen by the Chief Justice of the United States. Each committee is chaired by a federal judge and includes federal trial and appellate judges, state supreme court justices, lawyers, and law professors, as well as Department of Justice officials who serve as ex officio members.

The Rules Committee Chief Counsel and the Rules Committee support staff assist the Rules Committee by:

Providing the six rules committees and their multiple subcommittees with planning and logistical support to facilitate their meetings and collaborative work throughout the year.

Managing, under the guidance of the Chair of the Standing Committee, the rulemaking process, including the assembly of rules proposals and related materials for distribution to the Judicial Conference, the United States Supreme Court, the Congress, and the public.

Giving advice and counsel as needed and requested to the chairs and members of the Standing Committee and the advisory committees and subcommittees thereof.

The Chief Counsel also serves as Secretary to the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Duties of the position include but are not limited to:

Assisting the chair of the Standing Committee in managing the federal rulemaking process, which includes reviewing and ensuring the accuracy and appropriate form of proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, Civil, Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, for transmission to the public, the Judicial Conference, the United States Supreme Court, and the Congress.

Providing counsel to and coordinating the work of the chairs and reporters of the standing and advisory rules committees.

Serving as a liaison on rules-related matters between the rules committees and other AO and Judiciary (including Supreme Court) staff, federal judges, Congressional staff, Department of Justice officials, state supreme court justices, academics, representatives of the bar, and other organizations interested in the rulemaking process.

Providing expert advice on rules-related matters within the Judiciary.

Responding to inquiries from judges, the bar, Congress, academics, the media, and the general public on the status and purpose of proposed rule amendments.

Drafting reports, correspondence, and hearing statements for the Rules committees.

Managing the budget and financial arrangements for the rulemaking process, including oversight of committee reporter and consultant contracts and travel expense reimbursement.

Overseeing the logistical arrangements for public hearings on proposed rule amendments and at least twelve annual committee meetings, including the printing and circulation of agenda materials for committee meetings.

Ensuring that rules-related information on the Judiciary's website is kept up to date.

Maintaining all official records of the rulemaking process, including supervision of recordkeeping in an internal electronic filing system.

Providing leadership, management, and the supervision of the Rules Committee support staff.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship for competitive status positions or conversion to a competitive status position with the Administrative Office of the US Courts. In instances where non-citizens are considered for hire into temporary or any other position with non competitive status or when it is confirmed by the AO's Human Resources Office that there are no qualified U.S. citizens for a competitive status position (unless prohibited by a law or statue), non-citizens must provide proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at http://ww.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens . For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification .

All new AO employees will be required to complete a FBI fingerprint-based national criminal database and records check and pass a public trust suitability check.

All new AO employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment.

You will be required to serve a trial period if selected for a first-time appointment to the Federal government, transferring from another Federal agency, or serving as a first-time supervisor. Failure to successfully complete the trial period may result in termination of employment.

If appointed to a temporary position, management may have the discretion of converting the position to permanent depending upon funding and staffing allocation.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

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

Qualifications

Applicants must have demonstrated experience which shows competence in the qualifications as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which includes interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-15/JSP-15/CL 31 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience is experience which demonstrates broad and progressive leadership experience in an attorney position providing or directing the provision of legal expertise on novel and complex legal questions.

Additional Assessment : Applicants who meet the specialized experience requirements also will be assessed on the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ). The Mandatory Technical Qualifications should be evident in your resume, and no narrative response is required for them. However, a narrative response for each Executive Core Qualification is mandatory. A space will be provided in the online assessment questionnaire to complete a response. Exception : Applicants who are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to submit a narrative response for the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ).

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): Applicants seeking this AOES position must have experience that demonstrates:

Experience in and knowledge of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of the Federal Government. Experience with and knowledge of relevant Federal law, procedural and administrative rules and regulations, canons of statutory construction, and methods of investigating the legislative history of congressional enactments.

Experience dealing with diverse members of the legal and governmental community, including the bench, bar, academic community, bar associations, government agencies, Members of Congress and Congressional staff, media, and general public.

Excellent skills in oral and written presentation of complicated legal matters. Ability to express, orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are easily understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers.

This information should be evident in your resume.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): A narrative response for each of the following qualifications is mandatory.

1. Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation. External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision.

2. Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building.

3. Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility.

4. Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management.

5. Building Coalitions / Communication: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating.

Education

Applicants must possess a law degree, (J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education .

Additional information

The AO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation and compare this information to your responses on the occupational questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this job. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, we will evaluate your application package, to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume and/or narrative responses, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Failure to submit the mandatory narrative responses will result in not receiving full consideration and/or rating credit. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you, withdrawing an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

For this job announcement the following documents and/or information are required:

• Resume - Any written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications.
• Citizenship - Include country of citizenship on resume.
• Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) - All applicants outside of the AO must submit a copy of your latest SF-50 to verify current or former Federal employment status.
• Veterans Preference documentation - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), if applicable Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) and an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.