Job Description
Assistant General Counsel
Organization
Secretary of the Senate
Department
Executive Office
SALARY RANGE:
SEC-14: $141294-$219002
SALARY EXPECTATIONS:
The salary will be on the lower end of the posted pay range.
FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE:
Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at
1-800-877-8339 TTY
TELEWORK:
This position is eligible for a partial remote work schedule after an initial
introductory onsite period.
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt
DEADLINE FOR
APPLICATIONS:
5/22/2026 at 7:00pm EST
JOB DESCRIPTION:
NATURE OF WORK
This is professional work providing legal advice and
assistance to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Senate and the 26 department
heads of the offices under the Secretary of the Senate. Work is supervised and assigned by the
General Counsel to the Secretary and may include reviewing material for legal
soundness and accuracy, advising offices of the Secretary of legislation or
regulations affecting their departments, drafting proposed legislation, policy,
or guidance, assisting the Secretary with annual testimony preparation, and
general legal and ethics advice as required. Work is further bound by Secretary
of the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S.
Senate Handbook; and the Senate
Ethics Manual but requires
independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments. This
position plays a critical role in preserving the legal, procedural, and
institutional integrity of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Serve as legal advisor to the Office of the Secretary
of the Senate (Office); research and explain complex legal issues; provide
written and oral legal advice and opinions; review material, including contracts
and procurement actions, for legal soundness and accuracy; recommend actions to
ensure legal and ethical compliance; and prepare responses for the Secretary to
committee inquiries.
Evaluate and discuss issues pertaining to the impact
of existing and proposed laws on the operations of the Office; prepare
agreements or other documents to protect the interests of the Office; and assist
in compiling and preparing the Secretary’s annual testimony.
Represent the Office in resolving issues with other
entities that may be difficult or controversial, and research and respond to
inquiries from internal/external federal agencies and regulated entities regarding
interpretation and compliance with lobbying, contract, tort, and other
applicable laws.
Provide legal and policy advice to the Offices of the
Secretary regarding the Secretary of the Senate’s Continuity of Operations
(COOP), Continuity of Government (COG), and Enduring Constitutional Government
(ECG) programs; work closely with office coordinators and departments to ensure
the ability of the Office to perform its Constitutional requirements in all
circumstances.
Maintain current knowledge of the Executive Office’s Emergency
Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in
periodic exercises and drills. Plan, develop, rehearse, and implement the Secretary
of the Senate COOP plan; coordinate and contribute to the preparation and
operation of the Secretary’s Operations Center and Leadership Coordination
Center.
As an integral member of the Executive Office of the
Secretary of the Senate, support the business operations of the Executive
Office with the execution of special events, ceremonies, and official
proceedings as assigned.
Provide all customers with the highest level of
customer service.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment and requires
the use of normal safety precautions to avoid everyday risks and discomforts.
Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25
pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software, and
communication methods such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Consistent,
reliable, and timely attendance is necessary to fulfill duties. Work also
requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the
Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires a Juris Doctorate degree and a minimum of five years of experience, and the
following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
A
basic understanding of the Senate as an institution is preferred, along with a
willingness to learn more about the legislative process and the Senate's
history and operations.
Strong legal research skills sufficient to quickly
learn the U.S. Constitution, statutes, rules, standing orders, and precedents
of the Senate and general legal principles necessary to advise the Secretary of
the Senate.
Knowledge of or familiarity with applicable statutes,
rules, and general legal principles specifically related to historic
preservation, government ethics, procurement, contracting, lobbying, fiscal, tort,
or appropriations law preferred.
Knowledge of or familiarity with legislative processes
sufficient to advise staff on legislation affecting their departments, to draft
proposed legislation, and to assist the Secretary in preparing testimony to
appropriations and oversight committees preferred.
Knowledge of research methods and information sources
relevant to the administration of the U.S. Senate.
Ability to work extended and unscheduled hours as
dictated by workload.
Proven ability to utilize legal software and case
management systems efficiently.
Skill in establishing and maintaining professional
relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills,
including clear legal drafting and effective advocacy.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Licensed and in good active
standing to practice law in a state or territory of the United States or the
District of Columbia.
Ability to obtain and maintain required security
clearances and access.
Veteran's
Preference:
Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans Employment
Opportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the Congressional
Accountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who are
not current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who are
disabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain
specified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”)
may be eligible to receive a preference over non-veterans in hiring decisions.
Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’
preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference.
To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of the
requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Those
eligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’
Preference, which may be obtained by visiting: https://www.senate.gov/employment/resources/pdf/SOS_VeteransPreference.pdf
If claiming a veterans’ preference, an applicant must indicate that he/she is
preference eligible on the application or resume and must submit a completed
copy of the Application for Veterans’ Preference along with the supporting
documentation specified on that form. If the Office of the Secretary of the
Senate does not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supporting
documentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’
preference may be denied.
Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference in
Appointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@sec.senate.gov.
Individuals who are entitled to a veterans’ preference are invited to
self-identify voluntarily. This information is intended solely for use in
connection with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate’s obligations and
efforts to provide veterans’ preference to preference-eligible applicants in
accordance with the VEOA. An applicant’s status as a disabled veteran and any
information regarding an applicant’s disability, including the applicant’s
medical condition and history, will be kept confidential and will be collected,
maintained and used in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. §1302(a)(3).
An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or to
provide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran’s
status will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but the
individual may be ruled ineligible for a veterans’ preference.