Duties
The incumbent of this position serves as a senior docket attorney in the Criminal Tax Division assigned to an Area Counsel (Criminal Tax) providing legal counsel to IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). The attorney specializes in assisting CI with investigations and prosecutions of violations of the internal revenue laws, the Bank Secrecy Act, money laundering statutes, and other federal criminal violations; special investigative techniques employed by CI; and criminal and civil forfeitures initiated by the IRS. The incumbent may also be assigned to cases requiring provision of legal counsel to one or more IRS Divisions (Large Business & International, Tax Exempt & Government Entities, Small Business/Self Employed, and Wage & Investment) and other Counsel and IRS offices which are responsible for serving specific groups of taxpayers.
As a General Attorney (Criminal Tax), you will:
- Assist and advise CI Special Agents in Charge and their agents in ongoing and completed criminal investigations, both administrative and grand jury.
- Review completed criminal tax investigation cases where criminal prosecution is recommended.
- Prepare an evaluation of the report and the evidence which summarizes the salient facts, analyzes whether the evidence proves the elements of each recommended charge, assesses the strengths and weaknesses (including possible defenses) of the case, and renders an opinion on the prosecution potential of the recommended charges.
- Review and opine on CI seizure warrants and render ongoing advice on criminal and civil asset forfeitures.
- Serve as the IRS attorney in cases under the jurisdiction of the prosecutive authorities.
- Perform duties, as approved and monitored by the Area Counsel (Criminal Tax), that may be assigned to any other attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel regardless of function.
This is not an all-inclusive list.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.
Basic Requirements for General Attorney (Criminal Tax):
- Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND
- Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
GS-14 Experience Requirements:
- 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus
- 2 year(s) of professional legal tax experience
Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as: Presenting evidence before a federal or state grand jury in a criminal tax or financial crimes case; trying a criminal tax or financial crimes case before a federal or state petit jury; prosecuting or defending criminal tax or financial crimes offenses; engaging in motion practice relating to the Federal Rules of Evidence or the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; drafting or providing legal advice relating to search warrant applications; experience prosecuting or defending criminal or civil forfeiture actions, or money laundering or Bank Secrecy Act violations; providing legal advice relating to undercover operations, or the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as they relate to criminal tax programs. At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-13).
Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience.
Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of this position (i.e. tax) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above.
Education
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
Required Documents
A complete application includes:
- A resume
- Vacancy question responses
- Submission of any required documents
In addition, applicants are required to submit:
- An unofficial or official transcript(s) for your J.D. degree or LL.M. degree (an official transcript is required if you are selected)
- An 8-10 page legal writing sample
- A memorandum of interest summarizing your interest in the position
Current Chief Counsel Employees are also required to submit:
- A copy of your most recent, signed, completed annual performance appraisal which includes the final rating. If it is not dated within the last 12 months or if you have not received a performance appraisal, please explain why in your application
