Attorney Advisor - GS-15 - Region III - Philadelphia, PA (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 Philadelphia Regional Office.

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

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

Salary wage as shown if for the Rest of the U.S. pay scale and does not include locality pay. For specific wage information, refer to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule

Open Period: September 12, 2024– Open until filled

Job Summary:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), providing quality representation and legal advice in a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions.

The Region III office provides comprehensive legal services to agencies within HHS, with most work involving the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, and the Office for Civil Rights.

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:

This is a General Attorney position in the Region III OGC office located in Philadelphia, PA. The attorneys provide a variety of litigation and legal advisory services to and on behalf of HHS agencies, primarily those functioning within the five states (and the District of Columbia) that comprise Region III. The new hire will have responsibilities across various programs, focusing on Medicare and Medicaid financial, quality of care and program integrity issues (including nursing home enforcement, supplier enrollment appeals, healthcare bankruptcies, overpayment recoveries, provider reimbursement and disallowance of Federal funding). The new hire will also provide legal services to the regional Office for Civil Rights, which includes advice regarding enforcement of federal civil rights statutes and HIPAA. The new hire may also provide advice and litigation services in general Federal law issues (such as employment law and labor relations; privacy and discovery of information; tort claims and malpractice litigation).

More generally, the new hire will work on matters involving the interpretation, application, and enforcement of statutes, regulations, and Department policies. The new hire will represent the Department in Federal court and administrative proceedings, often handling complex legal and factual issues and/or cases of first impression, as well as matters that substantially impact the ability of the Department to carry out its responsibilities. As a member of OGC, the new hire is expected to work both independently and to collaborate with other attorneys in HHS OGC, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Offices, as well as with staff of HHS agencies.

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.

GS-15: Applicants at the GS-15 level must have at least four years of professional legal experience post bar admission 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.

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.

 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 four 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.
  • It will also be a plus for the candidate to have familiarity and experience with federal civil rights statutes, HIPAA, health law and/or bankruptcy law.
  • It will also be a plus for the candidate to have familiarity with federal court or administrative litigation.
  • 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.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.
  • This is a remote position.

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 ogcr3-hiring@hhs.gov using the subject line “General Attorney Advisor – R3” and include the vacancy announcement number and REMOTE.

  • Cover letter of no more than 2-pages addressing the required competencies to: 

    Michele Purdue 
    Office of the General Counsel, Region III 
    801 Market Street, Suite 9700 
    Philadelphia, PA 19107

  • 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 and whether it was full-time or part time.
  • Legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages highlighting your analytical and writing skills.
  • Law school transcripts (official or unofficial) if graduated in the last seven years.
  • If you are a current federal employee, please provide a copy of your last performance appraisal.
  • Names and contact information for at least three professional references.
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