General Attorney Advisor - Region VI

Company: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Location: Dallas
Posted on: May 16, 2022

Job Description:

Location: Dallas, Texas, , United StatesPosted: 2022-05-04Position Title: General Attorney Advisor - Region VICompany Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesSector: OtherJob Type: Full-TimeMin Education: Juris DoctorateThe Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department's programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and various agencies and divisions. OGC is comprised of three principal subcomponents: the Immediate Office, the Headquarters Divisions, and 10 Regional Offices located in several cities one of which is in Dallas, Texas. The OGC Region VI Dallas office is responsible for providing comprehensive legal services to HHS's Operating and Staff Divisions in the five-state Region of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The legal services provided fall generally within three categories: (1) Program Advice, (2) Administrative Litigation, and (3) Judicial Litigation.HHS is seeking to hire an attorney with expertise in matters related to federal non-discrimination laws and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and related privacy laws to join the OGC Region VI Dallas office. The attorney will support HHS's Regional Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR is a key component of HHS and fulfills a critical mission in upholding the civil rights of individuals, including some of the most vulnerable members of our society. To that end, OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, and sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) by certain health care and human services entities, and the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. For more information, please see the OCR's website at and OGC's website at OGC is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates. DUTIES: The attorney will provide legal advice and services to OCR on issues related to the enforcement and administration of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. In performing this role, the attorney will support OCR's enforcement of potential HIPAA violations by covered entities and business associates, including reviewing OCR documentation, and working with OCR regional staff involved in HIPAA investigations, and settlement negotiations. Where parties challenge agency actions in court, the attorney will defend OCR before administrative law judges and assist the Department of Justice with cases filed in Federal court. And the attorney will provide general legal advice to OCR on HIPAA regulatory activities and initiatives.With respect to upholding federal civil rights laws, the attorney will assist OCR in enforcing federal laws that protect the rights of individuals and entities from unlawful discrimination based on race, national origin, disability, age, and sex under various statutes, including:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
• Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972,
• The Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
• the Age Discrimination Act, and
• Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, among others. The attorney will also be responsible for assisting OCR in investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination and taking enforcement actions when required. The attorney will also provide legal advice to OCR on civil rights program initiatives, guidance documents, and regulatory activities. In addition to supporting OCR, the attorney will provide a variety of legal services to other Department components in Region VI.For this position, we are therefore seeking applicants who possess experience working with federal non-discrimination laws and HIPAA and related privacy laws. The applicant must also demonstrate exemplary analytical, legal writing, and oral advocacy abilities, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to work with diverse individuals and groups, including large organizational or corporate entities and skilled counsel. Litigation experience is preferred but not required. The applicant should also possess experience in developing evidence, as well as expertise in negotiating, drafting, analyzing, and reviewing settlement proposals, corrective action plans, and consent decrees. The applicant must be able to work independently and manage a heavy case load. Finally, the applicant must be able to edit highly technical writing prepared by OCR staff, provide guidance concerning investigations, and provide needed training and instruction.This position will be filled at the GS -12, GS-13, or GS-14 level ($85,838 - $156,803) depending on experience and qualifications. The position is located in Dallas, Texas. Reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available. OGC Region VI offers creative work solutions that may include alternative work schedules and telework.QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed on this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.The following are required qualifications:
  • Possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA accredited law school.
  • Be admitted to practice law before the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia and be in good standing.
  • Possess experience working with the HIPAA Rules and the statutes and regulations QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED:
    • Have administrative or federal court litigation experience.
    • Possess at least one year experience working with federal non-discrimination laws. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
      • Must maintain an active bar membership in good standing throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
      • Must submit official law school transcripts.
      • Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection, and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
      • E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E- Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. HHS is an E-Verify Participant.
      • Direct Deposit: Federal employees are required to have salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
      • A confidential Office of Government Ethics Financial Disclosure Report will be required.
      • Two-year trial period may be required.
      • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
      • This is not a bargaining uni tposition. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY:Please submit the following documents to by 11:59 pm (CST) of the closing date of the announcement to receive full consideration:
        • Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and highlighting any relevant experience
        • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received, and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment)
        • Legal writing sample demonstrating a proficiency with civil rights or HIPAA issues (5-10 pages)
        • Law school transcripts, if graduated from law school within the past five years
        • Proof of bar status and standing. You must provide proof that you are a current, active member of a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia
        • Names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney AttorneyPI177188142

Keywords: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dallas , General Attorney Advisor - Region VI, Legal , Dallas, Texas