General Counsel

The Congressional Budget Office is a small, nonpartisan agency that provides economic and budgetary analysis to the Congress. CBO seeks an experienced attorney to fill the position of General Counsel.
The General Counsel will serve as CBO’s principal legal officer and an integral part of the agency’s leadership team. He or she will advise CBO’s management and staff about a broad range of legal issues in a fast-paced and complex environment. The General Counsel also will help interpret and analyze legislative proposals and advise CBO’s employees about areas of the law addressed in the cost estimates and reports that the agency prepares for the Congress. In addition, he or she will provide formal and informal advice in all areas of law affecting CBO’s operations, including appropriations, ethics, federal contracting, employment, litigation, privacy, and data use. The General Counsel will have contact with government officials at various levels, the private bar, the public, and Congressional staff members. He or she also will supervise CBO’s legal and acquisitions staff.
Qualifications
Candidates for this position must have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar in a state, a territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Candidates must have substantial experience in appropriations law. Experience with the federal budget process, House and Senate procedures, and the Congressional Accountability Act is desirable. Candidates should be able to:

Advise senior management and staff and present legally sound conclusions, orally and in writing, in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner tailored to the intended audience;
Analyze all legal issues related to CBO’s operations and develop practical solutions;
Interpret legislative proposals and provide counsel regarding significant legal decisions, scorekeeping guidelines, and relevant budget laws on very short deadlines;
Serve as CBO’s primary ethics officer and provide advice about the ethics laws and rules that apply to CBO’s employees and consultants, especially regarding conflicts of interest and political activity;
Supervise CBO’s acquisitions, negotiate contracts, and enhance the agency’s access to information from other federal agencies and private sources; and
Manage and motivate a highly skilled staff, help them develop professionally, and encourage collaboration both inside and outside the organization.

Applicants will be evaluated comprehensively on the basis of their experience, education, awards, and training. Candidates with experience involving direct interaction with clients and in various areas of law, rather than in a narrow specialty, are highly desirable. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret security clearance.
Salary and Benefits
The salary is competitive with those of Senior Executive Service positions and will be commensurate with education, experience, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an appealing work environment.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, a résumé, salary history, and contact information for three references at www.cbo.gov/careers by July 8, 2019 to ensure consideration. This management position is not governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 as made applicable to CBO by the Congressional Accountability Act, as amended.
Contact
Annita Gulati Cox or Kate Green, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628, careers@cbo.gov
 
EOE/M/F/V/D