Chief Counsel for NIST

To qualify, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive level leadership experience and office management experience directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and their competencies and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). The ECQs were developed to evaluate executive experience and potential, not to evaluate technical experience. ECQs measure whether an individual has the broad experience needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. Executive Core Qualifications: The following are the five ECQs and their competencies. The ECQs were developed to assess executive experience and potential, not to evaluate technical experience. ECQs measure whether an individual has the broad experience needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. ECQ 1 – LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. (Competencies: creativity and innovation, external awareness, flexibility, resilience, strategic thinking, vision) ECQ 2 – LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. (Competencies: conflict management, leveraging diversity, developing others, team building) ECQ 3 – RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. (Competencies: accountability, customer service, decisiveness, entrepreneurship, problem solving, technical credibility) ECQ 4 – BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. (Competencies: financial management, human capital management, technology management) ECQ 5 – BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. (Competencies: partnering, political savvy, influencing/negotiating) NOTE: Responses to ECQs must not exceed 10 pages typed in 12-point font. Professional/Technical Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and supervise the work of a legal office, providing sound and timely legal counsel and effectively presenting agency views on measurement science, standards, and technology policy matters. Demonstrated experience in preparation and review of legal proposals and comments to regulatory agencies, and in reviewing legislative proposals in issues of measurement science, standards and technology policy. Demonstrated ability to conduct continuing reviews of all existing and proposed legal bases of U.S. policies and programs affecting measurement science, standards, and technology issues, domestically and internationally. For detailed guidance on ECQs, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management’s Guide to Executive Qualifications at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.aspExample of ECQ statements are available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf
The incumbent of this position serves as Chief Counsel for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), as Chief Counsel of NIST, the incumbent is responsible for developing and maintaining a NIST legal program that provides a broad range of legal services, advice and consultation to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology (Under Secretary), NIST and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).