Chief Counsel

US Department of Energy Headquarters; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Energy seeks an exceptional executive leader to serve as Chief Counsel, guiding landmark financing initiatives for next-generation energy projects.

Lead legal strategy to support energy independence, grid resilience, and nationwide cost reductions while upholding the rule of law and constitutional principles. Minimum qualifications emphasize Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) with emphasis on complex federal credit structures and

Qualifications

• TQ1: Demonstrated legal expertise in structuring, negotiating, documenting, and advising on complex federal credit transactions.
• TQ2: Demonstrated expertise in federal statutory, fiscal, and administrative law related to federal credit and financing programs, including issues across multiple areas of law.
• ECQ1: Commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution, upholding the principles of the American founding.
• ECQ2: Driving efficiency through resource management, budget discipline, and process improvements.
• ECQ3: Merit and competence in producing high-quality work.
• ECQ4: Leading people to high performance and accountability.
• ECQ5: Achieving results aligned to organizational goals.

Job description

The U.S. Department of Energy seeks an exceptional executive leader to serve as Chief Counsel. Drive legal excellence across landmark financing initiatives for next-generation American energy and manufacturing. Help anchor U.S. energy independence, fortify grid resilience, and deliver lower energy costs nationwide. Join DOE and build America's energy future. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES, and a font size of no less than 10 points. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs)

Your resume must clearly demonstrate that you possess the following technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Demonstrated legal expertise in structuring, negotiating, documenting, and advising on complex federal credit transactions, including direct loans, loan guarantees, and project financing for major energy infrastructure and related projects under federal financing authorities.

TQ 2: Demonstrated expertise in federal statutory, fiscal, and administrative law governing or having a nexus with federal credit and financing programs, including the ability to identify, assess, and address legal issues across multiple areas of law, such as federal appropriations and fiscal law, bankruptcy and creditor rights, federal contracts and procurement, Davis- Bacon Act and other federal labor requirements, administrative and regulatory law, environmental law, litigation, and federal oversight requirements. Demonstrated experience advising senior federal leadership, exercising sound and independent legal judgment, coordinating specialized legal expertise, and reconciling programmatic objectives with the broader legal responsibilities and institutional interests of a federal department and program.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECqs)

In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.