The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), John Glenn Research Center (GRC) is recruiting for the role of Chief Counsel, an executive leadership position reporting directly to the NASA General Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The Chief Counsel serves as the senior legal adviser to the GRC Center Director and staff on all matters of legal policy and law related to GRC activities, conducted in alignment with agency-wide legal standards.
The Chief Counsel: Serves as the Chief Counsel and senior legal adviser to John Glenn Research Center (GRC) Center Director and staff on all matters of legal policy and law in connection with activities at GRC. The Chief Counsel reports directly to the NASA General Counsel on the provision of legal services NASA-wide and develops local procedures and policy consistent with and in coordination with the Agency General Counsel.
Directly responsible for the oversight and supervision of staff members of the center's legal office and other staff members from the NASA Legal Enterprise as may be assigned. Develops and executes Center's legal staffing plan, legal office procurement budget, and overall legal operations in close coordination with the NASA Legal Enterprise and as part of the Enterprise's annual Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) cycle.
Directly responsible for coordination with the NASA Office of General Counsel (OGC), as well as other OGC counsel and management officials, and other NASA officials either directly or in conjunction with the Center Director in the areas of policy, program objectives, funding, and other pertinent activities. Represents NASA interests in litigation in which the Center is a party and provides advice and assistance to the Department of Justice.
Accepts process or pleadings in legal proceedings on behalf of the Center Director and takes all necessary further actions to protect NASA's interests in real or personal property and adjudicates claims presented to the Center for personal injury or damage to or loss of real or personal property.
Ensures legal representation in matters involving other Federal, state, and local Government agencies when the Center's interests are involved and as required in formal regulatory proceedings where the Center's interests require representation and in appropriate courts and administrative agencies.
Exercises responsibilities delegated to Center Chief Counsel in NASA agency directives, is responsible to the Designated Agency Ethics Official and Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official for all ethics activities at the Center, and is responsible for the administration of the Center's patent program.
This position has a positive education requirement. To be eligible, you must clearly state in your resume the following: degree, major and/or minor, and college/university. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. You must possess a J.D.
or LL.M from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of a bar in a state/territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S.
accredited college or university. For further information, click here.
Agency-Executive-Staffing@mail.nasa.gov
This position is with John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The posted pay range is $210812 – $217332/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-21.
This position is open under the 'Ses' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
Apply on official site →