Description
SUMMARY
Summary: This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of
Inspector General, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General.
THIS JOB IS OPEN TO:
Hiring Paths: All U.S. citizens
DUTIES
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
combats fraud, waste and abuse in HHS programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, National Institutes
of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, and more.
HHS-OIG is the largest civilian inspector general’s office in the federal government, employing a
nationwide network of auditors, investigators, attorneys, and evaluators who provide program
recommendations to decision-makers, distribute educational resources to the industry and public,
and investigate cases to root out fraud. Our vision is to drive positive change in HHS programs and
in the lives of the people served by these programs.
The Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG) is OIG’s legal office. OCIG provides legal
advice and representation for OIG in all its activities. Within OCIG, the Administrative and Civil
Remedies Branch (ACRB), among other things, pursues administrative enforcement, including under the
Civil Monetary Penalty Law, exclusions statutes, and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act
(EMTALA). ACRB represents HHS in False Claims Act cases; negotiates and monitors Corporate
Integrity Agreements; and defends OIG in administrative appeals of exclusions from Federal health
care programs. OCIG staff works closely with professionals across OIG to support legally-sound,
high-impact work that protects HHS programs and the people touched by those programs.
ACRB is hiring two attorneys to support its mission. The position(s) will be as an Associate
Counsel (GS-12 to GS-13) and Senior Counsel (GS-14 to GS-15). The duties of the position(s) will
include:
Representing OIG in the resolution of civil monetary penalties matters, including EMTALA and
matters self-disclosed through OIG self-disclosure protocols.
Representing OIG at administrative hearings regarding exclusion.
Advising and preparing legal opinions on a variety of issues related to the Federal health care
fraud and abuse laws.
Providing litigation support to the Department of Justice on matters involving HHS programs,
including in False Claims Act matters.
Negotiating and monitoring Corporate Integrity Agreements.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS
Conditions Of Employment:
U.S. Citizenship is required.
Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
You may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
Must maintain membership and good standing with the bar association in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Qualifications: Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below, within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Positive Education Requirement: This position has an education requirement, as indicated below. A complete transcript showing relevant coursework and degrees must be submitted with your application package. A list of completed courses or incomplete transcripts will not be accepted.
Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and must be a current member, in good standing with a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar association.
GS-12: Applicants must have one (1) year of relevant professional legal experience post-bar admission equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Experience may be outside of the federal government.
GS-13: Applicants must have two (2) years of relevant professional legal experience post-bar admission equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Experience may be outside the federal government.
GS-14: Applicants must have three (3) years of relevant professional legal experience post-bar admission equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level. Experience may be outside of the federal government.
GS-15: Applicants must have four (4) years of relevant professional legal experience post-bar admission equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level. Experience may be outside the federal government.
Highly qualified applicants will have experience as an attorney advising and representing clients in matters involving fraud in HHS programs and on laws addressing fraud, waste, and abuse. This includes experience with investigations and litigation under the False Claims Act or administrative enforcement actions such as civil monetary penalties or exclusions; and advising on health care fraud compliance. Experience in the areas of fraud and abuse, managed care,
Medicaid, and health care compliance is highly desired. Education and experience in health care fraud law will be considered.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.
Education: Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accrediting organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.
Additional Information:
Recruitment Incentives: A relocation bonus may be authorized for this position. A recruitment bonus may be authorized for this position. Repayment of student loans will not be offered. Private sector work experience may be approved as credit for your Annual Leave accrual. Superior Qualifications may be considered to set the rate of basic pay of a newly-appointed employee.
Security and Background Requirements: 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.
EEO Statement: HHS is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, or other differences.
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.
Disabled Veteran Leave: HHS-OIG participates in the Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act of 2015. To learn more about this benefit, please go to: Disabled Veteran Leave (opm.gov). Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (“Fair Chance Act”): The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (FCA) prohibits federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history record prior to extending a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the FCA. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the FCA may submit a written complaint to the Department by email at FairChanceAct@hhs.gov.
Benefits Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
How You Will Be Evaluated: Your application will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. If you are found minimally qualified for the job, your application package will be further evaluated to determine your possession of the critical knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics required for this position. Your resume must document specialized experience.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Required Documents: All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Cover letter or email
Resume: Federal agencies only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Please visit this website for further instructions. Applicants who submit a resume longer than two pages may be found ineligible for further consideration.
Transcripts
Proof of Active Bar Status
Writing sample not to exceed 5 pages
Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM requires agencies to seek prior approval before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. Additional information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/political-appointees-and-career-civil-service-positions-faq/. If you are currently or have been within the last five years, a political Schedule A,
Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, this information must be disclosed to Human Resources. Such applicants must submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting the appointment with all other required application documents.
Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF 15 (see form at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf ) and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ or call 1-800-827-1000.
Financial Disclosure: This position may be subject to financial disclosure requirements, which must be filed within 30 days of the appointment. For more information about Financial Disclosure and OGE Form 450, you may go to the Office of Government Ethics website at www.oge.gov and select Financial Disclosure. Frequently Asked Questions can be found at
http://www.oge.gov/Financial-Disclosure/Confidential-Financial-Disclosure-450/OGE-Form-450-FAQs/OGE-Form-450-FAQs/.
HOW TO APPLY: Email application materials to: ACRB.Resumes@oig.hhs.gov, with the required documents included. Questions regarding this vacancy or the application process should be directed to Tamara Forys at ACRB.Resumes@oig.hhs.gov.
To be considered for eligibility, qualification assessment, and referral to the hiring manager, resumes must be limited to two pages.
This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
Next Steps: The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will receive notice via email or phone once this process is completed.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact Tynishia Gardner at ACRB.Resumes@oig.hhs.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
