Assistant General Counsel, Division of Postsecondary Education

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Unless you are currently under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ‘ineligible.’ You should provide 2 written examples for each ECQ and your ECQs should not exceed ten (10) pages total. When uploading your ECQs, choose the Supporting Document Type called ECQ. 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. 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. 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. ECQ 4 – Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. 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. To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements available on the Office of Personnel Management’s website please click here. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualification. You must address each technical qualification separately. You must limit your narratives to two (2) pages per technical qualification. When uploading your MTQs, choose the supporting Document Type called MTQ. MTQ 1 – Demonstrated knowledge of, or familiarity with, the postsecondary education and student financial assistance programs authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965, administrative law, constitutional law, and other laws governing or affecting the work of the division. MTQ 2 – Demonstrated experience in applying legal knowledge through senior-level legal counseling. MTQ 3 – Experience and skills in legal advocacy and representing clients. MTQ 4 – Experience in directing the activities of an attorney and non-attorney staff. When responding to the MTQs and ECQs, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the ECQs and MTQs. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of the programs managed and program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. Applicants who use “see resume” as a response WILL NOT receive consideration for the position. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action or removal from Federal Service.
The Assistant General Counsel (AGC), Division of Postsecondary Education (DPE), is responsible for advising the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretary, and other Department officials on issues involving postsecondary education and the Department’s student aid programs. The Division represents the Department in administrative litigation and, in cooperation with the Department of Justice, in judicial litigation.