Attorney Advisor GS-15 Civil Rights Division (Remote)

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for an Attorney Advisor position in its Civil Rights Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all US Citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

Duty Station: Location is Negotiable After Selection, U.S.

Salary Range: $143,736 - $186,854

Series & Grade: GS-0905-15

Promotion Potential: None

Open Period: November 8, 2024 –until filled; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, next official review scheduled for November 15, 2024.

Salary range listed does not include locality pay. Locality pay will be added according to the selectee's location area.

Salary wage as shown is for the Rest of the U.S. pay scale and does not include locality pay. For specific wage information, refer to the OPM Salary Tables.

General Schedule (opm.gov)

Job Summary:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking an attorney to join its Civil Rights Division.

The Division provides legal advice and services to HHS’ Office for Civil Rights on matters relating to the policy for and enforcement of the quintessential civil rights laws (e.g., Titles VI and IX, Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Affordable Care Act § 1557), the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA, and the conscience and religious freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and a variety of implementing statutes.

The Division also provides legal advice and services to the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information (ASTP/ONC) on interpreting authority under Title XXX of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and implementing regulations at 45 CFR Parts 170 and 171 relating to health information technology (Health IT), matters relating to the policy and enforcement of the information blocking statute, and the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), as well as advising ASTP/ONC on rulemaking at all stages across a number of Health IT topics. The Division supports ASTP/ONC on its setting of Artificial Intelligence (AI) related policy and strategy for the Department, and its establishment of internal governance, policies, and risk management approaches for uses of AI.

While the Division seeks to hire versatile individuals who can adroitly practice in multiple areas, our immediate needs focus on attorneys with experience in the health privacy, cybersecurity, Health IT, and artificial intelligence areas of law.

OGC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. At OGC, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We’re always growing our network of people, programs, and tools to allow our staff to do their best work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. OGC is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

Duties:

The attorney will provide legal advice and services to OCR and ASTP/ONC on issues related to enforcement and administration on a variety of health privacy, cybersecurity, Health IT, and AI topics. The position may also include work on the laws enforced by other HHS programs. The attorney may provide legal advice on issues including, but not limited to: the development and investigation of cases; the negotiation and resolution of cases or matters; the development of enforcement and litigation strategies; the review and promulgation of regulations, policies, and guidance; the review of applicable and proposed laws; and the conducting of compliance reviews of covered entities and HHS Operating and Staff Divisions.

We are seeking to fill the position at the GS-15 level ($143,736 - $186,854) depending on experience and qualifications. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest and experience in federal health information privacy, security, and technology; artificial intelligence and its uses in the healthcare context; administrative law; and health equity issues.

The position will be located in the US, locality to be determined at selection, and reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available.

Preferred Qualifications: Significant experience with health-related AI and AI tools or other novel or emerging technologies, health IT, and information blocking is a plus, as is a demonstrated interest in public service and the ability to meaningfully contribute to OGC’s workplace culture.

Qualifications Required:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed on this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

At the GS-15: Applicants at the GS-15 level must have at least four years of professional legal experience with one year of experience equivalent to the GS-14 level. Applicants at the GS-15 level must also have a demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum levels of supervision.

The following are required qualifications:

Conditions of Employment:

You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
Have at least 4 year (s) of experience after law school as a practicing attorney.
Proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a State, U. S. commonwealth, U. S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
Candidates must also have exemplary legal writing, oral advocacy abilities, possess excellent interpersonal skills, and displays a capacity to work with diverse individuals and groups.
Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
Upon final job offer from HHS OHR, the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Financial disclosure statement may be required.
Two-year trial period may be required.
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
This position may be in a bargaining unit.
This is a remote position.
Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public. Applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order to demonstrate commitment to the HHS goal of a drug-free workplace and to set an example for other Federal employees, employees not in a testing designated position may volunteer for unannounced random testing by notifying their Drug-free Federal Workplace Program Point of Contact upon hiring.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Instructions To Apply:

Please submit the following documents to ogccrvacancy@hhs.gov using the subject line “Civil Rights Division Attorney” in the forwarding email. To receive full consideration, submit all materials by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement:

Cover letter addressed to the Office of the General Counsel Hiring Official.
Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment (full time or part time) and supervisor’s name and telephone number(s).
A legal writing sample.
Proof that bar status is active, and attorney is in good standing and eligible to practice in a state, territory of the US, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Names and contact information for at least three professional references.