SummaryOffice of Chief Counsel, IRS, seeks enthusiastic individuals to serve taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS. Please click "Learn more about this agency" to find out more about Chief Counsel's various offices, to view some of the workplace attributes that Chief Counsel's workforce rates most favorably, and to hear from employees themselves.
DutiesThe Special Counsel serves as legal staff official and confidential advisor to the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Program). The Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (NTA Program) is responsible for managing, directing and providing legal advice for programs and services related to the mission of the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate, known as the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) (see Internal Revenue Code section 7803(c)). The Special Counsel assists the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel in providing optimal legal support to the NTA and TAS. The Special Counsel works for, and represents, the executive and is involved in some of the most important and sensitive issues and other matters handled by that executive. The Special Counsel assists the executive in the formulation of policies and programs for the operation of the Office and performs special assignments of a case specific or project nature. The Special Counsel represents the executive in the regulations and ruling review process and acts as a personal consultant on a variety of legal matters. A Special Counsel for the Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel, (NTA Program): Coordinates and monitors activities of Counsel's field and National Office functions to ensure responses are timely, of high quality, and responsive to the needs of the NTA and TAS. Provides recommendations to the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel, as needed, to improve operations and affect better service. Assists the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel in the review and prioritization of NTA requests requiring resolution at the National Office level. Identifies legal issues involved and responds directly or directs to appropriate Counsel offices for handling. Works with staff(s) as needed, to formulate/polish final product. Serves as point of contact for questions/issues relating to Counsel's role in providing legal support to the NTA and TAS. Provides legal advice to assist IRS staff in formulating assistance requests. Directs requests for assistance, and provides administrative liaison, when needed, to facilitate the processing of TAS requests involving Counsel field offices. Provides legal assistance to the NTA and TAS headquarters employees in the review and resolution of taxpayer questions and complaints involving taxpayer rights, complex legal matters, and/or issues of extreme sensitivity. Identifies legal constraints/implications of proposed solutions, recommending potential courses of action when appropriate. Provides legal assistance in the review of Taxpayer Assistance Orders, Taxpayer Advocate Directives, legislative proposals, and other items under consideration. Performs exhaustive and detailed research on complicated legal problems and prepares recommendations as to the position to be taken by the Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel. Prepares position papers and briefing memorandum on substantive policy and procedural issues for the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel, and/or the Chief Counsel/Deputy Chief Counsel. Coordinates the participation of the Office of Chief Counsel in the development of reports and studies involving the NTA Program for use by Treasury and/or Congress. When requested, reviews for legal accuracy and coordinates review within Counsel of portions of the NTA's semiannual reports to Congress and assists in the preparation and drafting of testimony for Congressional hearings, and prepares responses to requests from Congress and other legislative agencies (e.g., OMB, GAO, etc.). Assists the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel in the preparation of data needed by the NTA for inclusion in the NTA's semiannual reports. This is not an all-inclusive list.
QualificationsIn order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. To qualify for this position at the GS-15 grade level, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement: Basic Requirements for General Attorney (Tax) Special Counsel: Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; GS-15 Experience Requirements: 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus 3 year(s) of professional legal tax experience Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as: At least 52 weeks of the legal tax experience which included assignments involving complex and difficult legal questions requiring extensive research, analysis, and evaluation. In addition, the following experience is required:1) Experience in substantive federal tax issues impacting taxpayer rights or federal tax practice and/or tax administration or procedural issues; and 2) Experience in working with issues that impact low income taxpayers; The following experience is desired, but not required: 3) Experience advocating for taxpayer rights or improving tax administration to resolve systemic tax issues. At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-14). Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience. Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of the position (tax, GLS-related, or P&A- FOIA/Disclosure related field) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
EducationFor positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional InformationWe may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Relocation expenses are not authorized. This is a non-bargaining unit position. We offer opportunities for telework. We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules. Conditions of Employment Continued: Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed). Subject to a 1-year supervisory or managerial probationary period (unless already completed). Subject to a Tenure Commitment of up to 3 years 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. Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Undergo an income tax verification. The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns. This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)
1,634 (72%) Chief Counsel employees took the 2023 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey and most rated critical workplace characteristics favorably - view a selection below. If you seek a professional environment where employees rate their supervisors highly, are treated with respect and supported in their efforts to balance work and other life issues, and collaborate with colleagues to produce meaningful work, consider Chief Counsel. Sample of High-scoring 2023 FEVS Questions (percent favorable): My supervisor treats me with respect (93%)- supports my need to balance work and other life issues (93%)- listens to what I have to say (91%) - supports employee development (90%)- I have trust and confidence in my supervisor (88%). Employees in my work unit produce high-quality work (94%)- share job knowledge (92%)- cooperate to get the job done (91%)- support my need to balance my work and personal responsibilities (87%)- respect people's differences (87%)- make me feel I belong (86%)- care about me as a person (85%). My organization is successful at accomplishing its mission (90%)- I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization (86%)- I recommend my organization as a good place to work (85%)- I can be successful in my organization being myself (83%). To learn more, click the links below: View interview about attorney tax careers in Chief Counsel Meet our attorneys Learn about our offices Come Join the Department of the Treasury and Invest in Tomorrow.