About This Position
The mission of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation's schools. This position may be detailed to another Federal agency.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications related to this position within your resume.
Resume should NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES, with the font size no smaller than 10 points. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page
2.
Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications or the Technical Qualifications. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):
In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding- This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency- This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence- This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People- This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a highperformance, high-accountability culture.
This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results- This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS There are two TQs: TQ 1: Comprehensive experience and knowledge in the enforcement of highly complex state or federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that apply to public entities, including but not limited to: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. TQ 2: Demonstrated skill and experience analyzing highly complex legal theories and practices and administering legal compliance programs, including addressing complex problems to lead a strategic approach for developing a culture of continuous improvement in the areas of timeliness, cost, quality and productivity.
Your resume must include descriptions of how you led a strategic approach for developing a culture of continuous improvement and improvements you have led in the areas of reliability, process cycle times, cost-effectiveness, quality and productivity. Additionally, you should cite examples that demonstrate your ability to solve complex and potentially ambiguous problems using a full range of analytical techniques including problem structuring, data-gathering, data analysis, findings synthesis, option and recommendation development.
Major Duties
The Enforcement Director provides expert policy and legal advice on the agency's civil rights enforcement program to the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary and provides direction to Regional Office Directors to ensure that enforcement and compliance efforts are consistent with Department policy and support the mission of the Department. The OCR operates under the jurisdiction of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act and their implementing regulations. The Enforcement Director provides leadership and legal guidance in the enforcement of civil rights in education programs that receive Federal financial assistance, as well as public educational entities regardless of whether they receive Federal financial assistance, including the investigation and resolution of the agency's annual case load, and proactive compliance activities such as compliance reviews, policy/educational outreach and technical assistance activities.
The candidate for the position also provides advice to the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the planning of priority issue activities. The incumbent will work directly with the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary to support the mission of the agency in achieving effective civil rights enforcement and will provide legal direction to the regional offices in the formulation of strategies and plans to accomplish OCR's enforcement activities. Additionally, the incumbent directly supervises assigned Regional Office Directors, providing leadership and sound legal guidance in the development and execution of regional enforcement dockets (proactive compliance activities).
The incumbent is also responsible for assessing and adjusting docket priorities to meet changing needs of the Department. Among other things, the incumbent also reviews investigative plans, compliance decisions, case resolution agreements, proposed enforcement actions, and litigation, ensuring that they are legally supportable; comply with the statutes and implementing regulations that OCR enforces; are based upon relevant policy and case law; and, are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Assistant Secretary. Provides professional leadership to the regional offices to establish effective and open relationships with OCR's senior management in matters concerning enforcement of civil rights laws, productivity, quality control, and consistency.
Assists Regional Office Directors in meeting expectations, provides feedback on performance, and holds regional directors responsible to achieve organizational standards.
Conditions of Employment
One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation. U.S. Citizenship Financial disclosure statement, OGE-278. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance. Relocation expenses will NOT be paid. Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable). Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. All initial appointments to an SES position are contingent on approval from OPM's Qualification Review Board. Must be an active member of the Bar in good standing.
Education
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 a territory of the United States. PROOF MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed by a panel to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
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Additional Information
VETERANS' PREFERENCE - Veterans' Preference does not apply to the SES. SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the hiring agency directly. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) POLICY - http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch.
If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
Required Documents
A complete application consists of all items listed below. Required materials must be submitted by the conclusion of the staffing process. Applications that are incomplete at that time may not be considered. Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
- RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each), minimum size 10 font, showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs.
- VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
- ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
- EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details.
- PROOF OF GOOD STANDING AND ACTIVE BAR MEMBERSHIP, or the ability to become an active member prior to start date, of a bar of any state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. *PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL - Most recent performance appraisal is strongly recommended.