Description

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 US 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, NIH, FDA, CDC, 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; pursues administrative enforcement through 
civil monetary penalties, exclusions and information blocking cases; represents HHS in False Claims 
Act cases and implements and monitors compliance measures; implements all OIG exclusions of health 
care providers; provides guidance to the health care industry on the Federal anti-kickback statute 
and other fraud and abuse authorities; and processes all OIG Freedom of Information Act requests. 
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.

OCIG is hiring multiple attorneys to support its mission, with a specific emphasis on information 
blocking enforcement. The position(s) will be as an Associate Counsel (GS-11 to GS-13) and Senior 
Counsel (GS-14 to GS-15). The duties of the position(s) will include:

• Representing OIG in the investigation, litigation, review, analysis, and resolution of civil 
  monetary penalties, with a specific emphasis on matters related to information blocking 
  enforcement, civil monetary penalties, Federal health care program exclusion, kickbacks, 
  substandard quality of care, grant fraud, contract fraud, and whistleblower matters.
•  Preparing and responding to discovery requests, conducting depositions, representing OIG at 
  administrative hearings, drafting motions, advising and preparing legal opinions on a variety of 
  issues, and providing litigation support to the Department of Justice when cases are in federal 
  court, and representing HHS in False Claims Act cases.
•  Reviewing and analyzing advisory opinion requests and drafting advisory opinions.
•  Drafting industry resources and responding to questions and issues from industry representatives 
  regarding compliance with the Federal fraud and abuse laws.
•  Advising on the application of the Federal fraud and abuse laws.
•  Monitoring compliance of parties under integrity agreements.
•  Providing legal advice to other OIG components such as the Office of Audit Services, Office of Evaluation and Inspections, and Office of Investigations.

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.

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 educational 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 Doctorate (JD) 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-11: Applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.B from an accredited ABA law school 
and possess active bar status in good standing.

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 health care fraud, HHS programs, and laws addressing fraud, waste, and abuse. 
This includes experience with investigations and litigation under the False Claims Act; 
administrative enforcement actions such as civil monetary penalties or exclusions; and legal 
guidance on whistleblower protections, employment law, and compliance. Additional experience 
advising health care entities, such as hospitals, health plans, or technology companies, on 
interoperability, healthcare technology, and information blocking is highly desirable. 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.

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: Payment for relocation expenses is not authorized for this position. A 
recruitment bonus will not be offered. Repayment of student loans will not be offered.
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.

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 (if 
applicable), 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 and support your responses to the 
vacancy questions.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Required Documents: All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document 
type(s):
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: officeofcounsel@oig.hhs.gov, with the required 
documents included. Questions regarding this vacancy or the application process should be directed 
to Tynishia Gardner.

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. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be 
made on a case-by-case basis.
Privacy Act
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