Attorney/Inspector General Associate Counsel, Investigations - Experienced to Expert Level (Maryland)

Responsibilities:
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at NSA/CSS conducts independent oversight that promotes wise use of public resources; adherence to laws, rules, and regulations; and respect for Constitutional rights. The OIG conducts independent oversight of NSA's personnel, programs, and operations to detect and deter fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct. Through our value-added, transparent, and independent audits, inspections, and investigations, we strive to positively impact the Agency. The OIG promotes the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Agency operations and protects civil liberties and individual privacy.

The OIG's Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (IG) provides legal advice and general counsel to the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, the Assistant Inspectors General, and their staffs on the full spectrum of oversight activities conducted within OIG, including audits, intelligence oversight, evaluations, inspections, and investigations. OIG attorneys also serve as in-house legal counsel providing day-to-day guidance in areas including employment, litigation, security, ethics, information disclosure and privacy (to include the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act), contracting, appropriations, and congressional affairs. The OIG's Office of the Counsel to the IG is independent and separate from NSA's Office of the General Counsel and DoD IG's Office of General Counsel.

The OIG's Office of the Counsel to the IG seeks an experienced attorney with criminal prosecution experience, particularly in fraud matters, to serve as Associate Counsel, Investigations. The position requires an understanding of NSA and its authorities, the Department of War and Intelligence Community, the applicable laws and statutes under which the OIG operates, criminal law and procedure, and the complete lifecycle of criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Experience with fraud statutes (including false claims, conflicts of interest, and procurement fraud), financial crimes, and related investigative techniques is highly desirable. Additionally, the selected attorney must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with investigators, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners.

As Associate Counsel, Investigations with the OIG, you will work independently and with minimum supervision to:

-Provide legal guidance on complex fraud investigations involving false claims, procurement fraud, contract fraud, grant fraud, conflicts of interest, and financial crimes;
-Perform legal research and analysis to develop sound solutions to novel, sensitive, and complex legal issues involving OIG investigations;
-Conduct, or assist OIG investigators in conducting, investigations involving potential criminal, civil, and administrative violations involving NSA procurements, programs, operations, employees, contractors, and whistleblower reprisal;
-Draft and review reports of investigation for legal sufficiency, technical accuracy, and completeness;
-Manage, or assist OIG investigators in managing, discovery requests, including coordinating responses with NSA stakeholders and the prosecution team;
-Evaluate evidence and advise on prosecutive merit, case strategy, and coordination with the Department of Justice and other law enforcement authorities;
-Provide concise oral and written legal advice and guidance to the IG, Deputy IG, Counsel to the IG, the Assistant Inspectors General, and the investigator staff on fraud-related statutes, criminal procedure, and investigative authorities;
-Interact and coordinate cases with law enforcement partners, the Department of Justice, and other OIGs, to include the other IC component IGs, IC OIG, and DoW IG. Participate in IC and IG Community-wide councils and working groups to develop robust professional networks, learn and share best practices, and stay informed of significant developments in law and policy impacting the OIG;
-Review OIG investigative policies and procedures and recommend improvements and updates, taking into account all relevant legal authorities, including emerging guidelines and case law;
-Advise on information requests from NSA organizations, external stakeholders, Congress, the media, and the public; and
-Perform other tasks and projects, as appropriate.


Please submit a writing sample (approximately 5-10 pages in length) with your application. Upload the file with your application.

Skills:
Legal experience and knowledge of law in one or more of the following areas is required:

-federal acquisition/procurement
-fiscal law
-investigatory
-criminal litigation
-intelligence

The ideal candidate is a highly-motivated and qualified attorney with excellent oral and written communication skills, astute problem-solving, analytic, and interpersonal skills, and possess a desire for continual learning. The candidate must be:

-detail-oriented;
-customer and results oriented;
-able to adjust to changing situational requirements;
-able to build relationships across the Agency and with external stakeholders; and
-able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule:
Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $121,785 - $197,200 (Senior, Expert)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

DCIPS Trial Period:
If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.



How To Apply - External:
Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position.

A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com**

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process.


The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application)

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.

2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.

3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.

4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

DCIPS Disclaimer:
**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**

Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.

Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, \