Assistant Regional Counsel

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Vacancy Announcement: Assistant Regional Counsel (Closes March 1, 2023) DUTY STATION: Chicago, Illinois
SALARY RANGE: $76,990 – $129,671 (Grades 11 through 14)
Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of everyone throughout America! The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the principal agency for protecting health in the United States. Join HHS to give back to your community, state and country and help to make our country healthier and safer.
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of HHS’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions. OGC is comprised of three principal subcomponents: the Immediate Office, Headquarters Divisions, and Regional Offices. Each Headquarters Division is led by an Associate General Counsel, and each of the ten Regional Offices is led by a Chief Counsel. OGC Region V covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The attorneys in this office provide advice and counsel to the Secretary of HHS and any agency within HHS, but most work involves the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Indian Health Service, and the Office for Civil Rights. We provide litigation services, programmatic advice, and training on a wide range of legal issues involving Medicare, Medicaid, employment and personnel, Federal Tort Claims Act, the Indian Self-Determination Education and Assistance Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, civil rights, HIPAA, Head Start, and requests under the Freedom of Information Act. We represent the agency in administrative and court litigation against hospitals, nursing homes, health plans, clinical laboratories, and other health care providers to enforce compliance with federal requirements; help prevent fraud and abuse and enforce regulatory requirements to ensure the health and safety of program beneficiaries; aid in the recovery of misspent Medicare, Medicaid, and federal grant funds; counsel health care providers and administrators at Indian Health Service- operated hospitals and health care facilities on a range of issues related to patient care and hospital operations; advise the Office for Civil Rights in the investigation and resolution of civil rights violations and unauthorized uses and/or disclosures of personal health information by health care entities; and advise the agency in personnel matters and represent the agency in employment hearings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the National Labor Relations Board. Over the past few years, we have also provided advice and counsel on several COVID-19 related matters.
OGC seeks to fill one or more attorney positions in our Chicago Regional Office in Region
V.A collegial office comprising approximately thirty (30) attorneys and five support staff,attorneys in the Chicago office are expected to work independently and as a team with over 700
OGC colleagues around the nation. Attorneys can telework regularly or work fully remote, subject to approval. OGC values work-life balance and federal employment offers valuable benefits. Further information concerning HHS, OGC, and federal employment can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/ogc. We anticipate that these positions will be filled at Grades 11 through 14 (salary range from approximately $76,990 – $129,671 annually), depending on experience and other qualifications.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
For this position, we especially prefer applicants who demonstrate exemplary legal writing and oral advocacy abilities, possess excellent interpersonal skills, display a capacity to work with diverse individuals and groups, and have a passion for public service. Candidates should possess strong academic credentials and have experience or a special interest in litigation, health care law and/or regulatory enforcement. Each applicant must be an accredited ABA law school graduate or a licensed attorney who is admitted to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, or a federal court and is in good standing. Applicants with a law degree who have not passed the bar may be hired as a Law Clerk and converted to the Assistant Regional Counsel position upon passing the bar. If hired as a Law Clerk, admission to the bar must be completed within 14 months of the date of appointment to the position.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
To be considered, interested candidates should provide the following:
1.a cover letter of no more than two pages that states where you found this posting and highlights your experience in these areas:General Legal Analysis – Writing ability, analytical and problem-solving skills, and experience preparing legal briefs and/or memoranda;Litigation – Experience before Federal trial and appellate courts and/or administrative tribunals;Interpreting Laws and Regulations – Experience in applying statutes, regulations, and policies; andClient Advice and Relationships – Experience providing oral and written advice and ability to relate effectively with clients;2.a resume.3.a writing sample of no more than 25 double-spaced pages:A brief, motion, memo or other document that persuasively argues a position and/or demonstrates strong legal analysis and reasoning is preferred;The sample should represent your own work to the extent possible;Include a short cover statement explaining the context of the sample and/or your role in the writing process, including the extent to which the writing sample was subject to revision or edits and by whom;4.a copy of your law school transcript for individuals who graduated from law school in 2017 or later.
Interested individuals should promptly submit their materials as the position will be filled as soon as an exceptional candidate is identified; however, we will make every effort to consider applications received by March 1, 2023. These materials should be emailed to RegVHiringCommittee@hhs.gov. Should you be invited for an interview, all interviews will be conducted virtually.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
 The candidate 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 Office of Human Resources (OHR), the successful candidate must submit an official law school transcript.
 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.
OGC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Alana Epkins at 312-886-1709 or Alana.Epkins@hhhs.gov, or Janice Rosiak at 312-886-1716 or Janice.Rosiak@hhs.gov.