General Attorney (Tax) - Senior Counsel (INTL)

Internal Revenue Service•Lake Forest, CA

About The Position

The Associate Chief Counsel, International (INTL), located in Washington, DC, has more than 100 attorneys who provide legal advice, technical guidance, and litigation support on matters involving the international provisions of U.S. revenue laws and U.S. tax treaties and agreements. INTL supports the uniform interpretation, application, enforcement, and litigation of these laws and participates in the OECD as a delegate of the United States. The General Attorney (Tax) - Senior Counsel works in one of INTL’s seven branches. The role reviews complex, important, novel, or potentially controversial work; independently develops and completes complex legal work products; and provides technical guidance and review of other staff members’ work. The Senior Counsel may lead large-scale guidance and publication projects involving other Counsel divisions or IRS offices, coordinate team members and related administrative matters, research issues affecting INTL legal services, and prepare decision papers and recommendations. The role also identifies, develops, and drafts procedures and regulations to implement new or amended legislation in a manner consistent with legislative intent and sound administration. The position requires an ABA-accredited LL.B. or J.D. and active bar membership in good standing. GS-15 qualification requires one year of general professional legal experience and three years of professional legal tax experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-14 work. An LL.M. in International Tax may substitute for the one year of general legal experience. The position is subject to federal employment suitability requirements and may include a one-year trial period. Flexible work schedules are available. Salary is adjusted according to the selected post of duty.

Requirements

Possess at least a first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, commonwealth, territory, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
For GS-15 qualification, have one year of general professional legal experience and three years of professional legal tax experience.
Professional legal tax experience must involve development, interpretation, and administration of international tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, with experience in one or more relevant international tax areas listed in the announcement.
At least one year of experience must be equivalent to work performed at the next lower federal grade/level (GS-14).
Only experience gained after bar admission may be credited as professional legal experience.
Applicants who held a GS position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of federal service at GS-14 or an equivalent grade.
Submit transcripts when qualifying based on education or substituting education for experience; an official transcript is required if selected.
Applicants using foreign education must provide an evaluation showing equivalence to accredited U.S. education, or evidence that full credit was given by a U.S.-accredited college or university.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Complete federal employment suitability requirements, including any requested Declaration for Federal Employment, personnel vetting, background investigation, and Continuous Vetting enrollment.
File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
Undergo income tax verification; employment may be conditional on classification or audit of federal tax returns.
Use direct deposit and obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or exemption.

Nice To Haves

An LL.M. degree in International Tax may substitute for the one year of general legal experience.

Responsibilities

Perform technical review of complex, important, or novel case and project assignments, particularly those with broad or potentially controversial implications.
Independently plan, develop, and complete complex legal work products without review.
Provide technical guidance and review of other staff members’ work products.
Lead large-scale INTL guidance and publication projects, potentially involving other Counsel divisions or IRS offices.
Direct and coordinate team members’ work and oversee related administrative and logistical matters.
Research complex issues and trends affecting INTL legal services and determine their likely legal ramifications for INTL programs.
Ensure legal and administrative consequences of potential actions are considered and prepare decision papers to determine Counsel’s position.
Prepare final comments and recommendations on behalf of the office.
Identify the need for, develop, and draft procedures and regulations implementing new or amended legislation.
Help ensure policies reflect legislative intent, are administratively sound and economical, and enable INTL to fulfill its mission.