The Head of Ethics & Employment Law/Deputy General Counsel provides legal and advisory services to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Chief of Law & Policy/General Counsel, and all subordinate organizational components of SSA. These services reflect the Agency's attorney role as a full participant in program development to administer the Agency's benefit program responsibilities.
The Head of Ethics & Employment Law/Deputy General Counsel provides a full range of legal and advisory services to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Chief of Law & Policy/General Counsel (Chief), and all subordinate organizational components of the Social Security Administration in connection with the operation and administration of the Agency.
These services reflect the Agency's attorney role as a full participant in the process of program development to administer the Agency's benefit program responsibilities, in the drafting of the legislation to establish these programs, and in the counseling of program and administrative managers and other senior officials whose responsibility it is to develop and carry out these programs.
The Head of Ethics & Employment Law/Deputy General Counsel is responsible for the following: Advising the Chief concerning all aspects of programs managed, their interrelationships and their relationships with other Agency programs/operations. Collaborating and sharing responsibility with the Chief and the Head of Program Policy & Data Exchange for all functions of Law & Policy including planning, formulation, and execution of policies, objectives, and goals.
As required, the incumbent may represent the Chief and the Agency at meetings or on workgroups with various Federal or private sector counterparts/organizations. Assisting the Chief by providing legal services in matters relating to general law, program law, and labor management and employee relations.
The incumbent has oversight and responsibility for all legal practice areas and direct oversight of Ethics & Employment Law, and assists in the oversight of Program Litigation; Labor Management & Employee Relations; Program, Fiscal & Disclosure Law; and Privacy & Disclosure Policy practice areas.
Serves as the Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) and provides legal services on ethics and standards of conduct and SSA's confidential reporting system regarding financial interests and outside activities, and liaison with the Office of White House Counsel and the Office of Government Ethics. Participates with the Chief in the resolution of the most difficult and important legal problems submitted to the component.
The incumbent may be required to perform confidential and sensitive assignments for the Chief.
Developing, directing, and overseeing litigation strategy for the most complex and difficult employment cases, including challenges to statutes, regulations and/or administrative policies, as well as complex procedural (e.g., jurisdictional) and substantive (e.g., statutory and/or constitutional) issues, and may be responsible for conducting and overseeing the conduct of such litigation in administrative and court tribunals.
Leading the development and implementation of critical infrastructure protection, security measures, and other controls to prepare for and mitigate negative consequences.
This position is with Social Security Administration, Other Agencies and Independent Organizations.
The posted pay range is $151661 – $228000/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-09-25.
This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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