Deputy Associate General Counsel for Program Review Division (CMS)

Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (DOHHS); Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

The HHS Office of the General Counsel seeks a senior supervisory attorney for the CMS Division’s Program Review Group. The role provides high-level legal guidance on Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, CLIA, drug pricing, and CMS Innovation Center models, while leading a legal team and coordinating with senior leadership across OGC, CMS, and HHS.

The position emphasizes independent judgment, risk management, and strategically sound decisions across programs, with telework eligibility per agency policy and

Qualifications

• Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree.
• Must be licensed and authorized to practice law.
• Security clearance may be required.
• Extensive experience with CMS, HHS programs, and high-stakes regulatory matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, high-level legal counsel to CMS on major regulations, guidance, and legislation affecting healthcare programs.
• Lead and manage a senior attorney team, setting strategy and supervising performance and development.
• Coordinate with CMS, OGC, and HHS leadership to ensure consistent legal interpretations.
• Oversee program review support and align regulatory policy with litigation and defense strategies.

Skills

Executive leadership

Administrative law

Regulatory policy

CMS regulatory issues

Team leadership

Education

J.D. or LL.B.

Job description

Summary

The HHS Office of the General Counsel seeks a senior supervisory attorney for the CMS Division’s Program Review Group. The role delivers high-level legal advice on Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, CLIA, private insurance reforms, drug pricing, Innovation Center models, and other CMS initiatives, while leading a legal team and coordinating with senior OGC, CMS, and HHS leadership. The position emphasizes independent judgment, risk management, and legally sound, strategic decision-making across programs.

Overview

Accepting applications

Locations: Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Baltimore, MD; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA.

Telework eligible: Yes — determined by the agency policy.

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary: $151,661 – $228,000 per year

Pay scale & grade: ES 00

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Permanent

Occupations and job series: 0905 Attorney

Supervisory status: Yes

Federal service type: This job is in the Senior Executive Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: No

Security clearance: Confidential

Position sensitivity & risk: NCS/High Risk

Background check type: Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required: Yes – Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number: HHS-OGC-ES-26-13100250

Control number: 891338200

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees – Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees – Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

Open to all groups of qualified individuals from the public. Current employees within the Federal Excepted Service. Current employees within the Federal Competitive Service. Current Career SES and SES reinstatement eligibles. SESCDP graduates may also apply for noncompetitive consideration.

Duties

You will provide strategic, high-level legal counsel to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on some of the most consequential healthcare policy initiatives in the federal government, including major regulations, guidance, and legislation affecting Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, CLIA, private insurance markets, Health Benefit Exchanges, consumer surprise billing protections, drug pricing and rebate programs, and CMS Innovation Center models.

Lead and manage a team of experienced attorneys and support staff, setting legal strategy, assigning and overseeing work, and mentoring attorneys to deliver timely, high-quality advice on complex regulatory and statutory issues, while exercising full supervisory responsibility for hiring, performance management, and professional development.

Exercise significant independent judgment in advising on novel and high-stakes legal issues, identifying matters with broad policy or political sensitivity, and elevating issues as appropriate to senior leadership, while ensuring consistent and defensible legal interpretations across CMS, the Office of the General Counsel, and HHS.

Serve as a senior legal advisor to CMS and HHS leadership on complex questions of statutory interpretation, regulatory design, and program implementation, and regularly engage with the Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, the General Counsel, and senior policy officials.

Oversee program review support for CMS-related litigation and work closely with litigation teams to align regulatory policy, legal risk assessment, and defense strategy in high-visibility matters.

Contribute to Division-level strategic planning, resource allocation, and workload management, and direct the effective use of personnel and resources to support CMS’s mission and national healthcare priorities.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.
• File a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter, as required.
• You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
• Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree
• Must be licensed and authorized to practice law in accordance with the Licensure requirements of this announcement.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Qualifications

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.

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. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

Technical Qualifications (TQs)

++TQ 1++ : Substantial practice and demonstrated expertise with laws governing the programs CMS administers, such as Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, private insurance market reforms (including Health Benefit Exchanges and consumer surprise billing), among others. Requires extensive experience with administrative law, including the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Congressional Review Act (CRA), and guiding a large team responsible for providing legal advice and analysis of complex and novel legal issues. Requires extensive experience coordinating with CMS, CMSD, and OGC leadership on challenging, cross-cutting, and time-sensitive matters.

++TQ 2++ : Demonstrated leadership experience and excellence directing an effective cadre of regulatory lawyers and supporting personnel, setting appropriate priorities, and ensuring that the organization meets clients’ needs for a high functioning group handling a large volume of extremely complex, high priority rulemakings, guidance documents, agency initiatives, and other assignments.

Executive Core Qualifications (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.

Education

Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree

Licensure

Applicants must be licensed and authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining “active” status to practice law. Being in “good standing” is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States where the licensing authority considers “good standing” as having a current license to practice law.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.

Additional information

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Preferred Experience: Prior supervisory experience and experience with CMS or HHS programs are preferred.

Salary: Salary for Senior Executive Service positions varies depending on qualifications. The annual salary range may be found at the top of this announcement. This position may be eligible for performance bonuses and performance-based pay adjustments.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure: HHS inspires public confidence by maintaining high ethical principles, and all Federal Government employees are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources – Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the HR representative listed in the Agency Contact Information section. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans’ Preference: Veterans’ Preference does not apply to the SES.

Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from selective service see: https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable). Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information required within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the ECQs and TQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.

Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Your responses to the online assessment questionnaire must be supported by the experience and accomplishments documented in your two-page resume. Responses that are not supported by your application materials may affect your eligibility or rating.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual’s application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

Required documents

Required Documents

• 1. Resume : All applicants must submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience and accomplishments. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• 2. Cover Letter: All applicants must submit a cover letter that is no more than one page.
• Copy of unofficial law school transcripts.
• Proof of Current Bar Membership/Licensure: Documentation demonstrating that you are currently licensed and authorized to practice law consistent with the Licensure requirements of this announcement.
• VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:
  • CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
  • SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
  • CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
  • STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation

Additional education information

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.

Agency contact information

Gregory Stewart

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: Office of the General Counsel, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201, US

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request

Additional locations

Baltimore, MD; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA