Program Counsel II/III

Job Description

Job Description

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Position:​​​

 

Program Counsel 

Location:

 

1825 I (Eye) Street, Suite 800, NW, Washington, DC 20006 

Department:

 

Office of Compliance and Enforcement

Employment Status:

 

Regular/Full-Time/Exempt 

Schedule:

 

Hybrid. 2 days/week per LSC’s Hybrid Work Policy. Moderate travel expected

 

ABOUT LSC: Established by Congress in 1974, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currently funds roughly 130 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices throughout the nation. LSC’s mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

JOB FUNCTION:

Under the general supervision of the Director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE) or his/her designee, participates in compliance reviews of grantee programs; addresses written and oral questions/complaints regarding grantee program compliance with the LSC Act, regulations, and policies; identifies and documents areas of weakness in specific grantee programs and in the LSC compliance system, and makes recommendations for program improvements; conducts on-site, hybrid, and virtual reviews and investigations and develops corrective actions for grantee program improvement; and reviews program policy submissions. This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 135.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads and/or participates in desk, hybrid, virtual, and on-site oversight reviews of LSC grantees’ delivery of legal assistance. Organizes and plans the review team’s work (when leading a visit), conducts interviews of recipient staff members; reviews and analyzes documents and case files; makes regulatory compliance determinations; identifies and documents areas of compliance weakness; makes recommendations for program improvement and shares best practices; and drafts and produces reports on review findings.

• Develops and manages required corrective action plans on behalf of OCE management.

• Participates in the annual funding competition process by assessing grantees’ LSC compliance structure, implementation, and maintenance and providing recommendations regarding funding term length and/or the imposition of special grant conditions. 

• Reviews grantee policies required under the LSC Act, LSC regulations, and other LSC policies and procedures to ensure compliance and provides comments, recommendations, and required revisions, as needed.

• Reviews and makes recommendations regarding grantee requests for annual approval and periodic modification of subgrants under LSC regulations. 

• Works closely with counterparts in the Office of Program Performance and OCE Fiscal Compliance Analysts to provide a holistic assessment of grantees and coordinated technical assistance and training.

• Reviews and investigates complaints involving alleged violations of laws, regulations, policies, and inquiries received from the public regarding LSC grantees, and makes recommendations regarding their resolution. 

• Responds to compliance-related questions from LSC grantees by conducting research, legal analysis or investigation of the facts as well as the laws, regulations, ethical standards, and legal precedents. 

• Reviews and makes recommendations concerning grantee requests for prior approval to utilize LSC funds under relevant regulations and guidance. Such reviews may involve complex real estate transactions throughout the United States. Drafts required documents and letters.

• Reviews and follows-up on findings and complaints referred by the LSC Office of Inspector General regarding recipient’s compliance with the LSC Act, appropriations acts, regulations, and other applicable laws, including developing or drafting documents for regulatory proceedings. 

• Investigates, evaluates, and pursues through to completion questioned costs proceedings under 45 C.F.R. Part 1630. 

• Assists in drafting program letters and policy language to implement and interpret requirements of the LSC Act.

• Coordinates with other LSC departments to address matters related to regulation interpretation and compliance and provides legal memoranda on complex issues of law. 

• Works with the Office of Legal Affairs and OCE Director to review, analyze, and revise current, and develop new, regulations, as appropriate.

• Participates in risk assessment of grantees.

• Serves as a speaker and/or trainer on matters relevant to LSC grantees. 

• Assists in the formulation of internal policies and procedures pertaining to reviews and training programs. 

• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates grantee annual and semi-annual report submissions for adequacy and recommends appropriate follow-up, as necessary.

• Works directly with the Director and/or his or her designee on special projects. 

• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED :

General :

• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce professional, clear, well-written work product that requires minimal editing. Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to reach different audiences and manage conflicts. 
• Experience in analyzing complicated concepts and offering cogent conclusions. 
• Unimpeachable integrity and adherence to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Ability to function in a discreet, diplomatic, and confidential matter. Must possess sound judgment and articulate well-informed and objective recommendations. 
• Ability to understand trends that affect LSC, its grantees, and their clients. Ability to conduct thorough investigations through the use of reviews, effective interviewing, research, and application of relevant regulatory authority. Must be conscientious, disciplined, versatile, and highly motivated. 
• High degree of flexibility, capacity for self-management, and attentive to detail. Strong organizational skills; adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities with shifting and/or competing priorities and tight deadlines. 
• Understanding of and commitment to organizational mission and goals. Ability to influence, motivate, challenge, and inspire confidence among others. 
• Ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.

Technical/Specialized:

• A law degree from an accredited law school and admission to the Bar of the highest court in a jurisdiction. Must be in good legal standing.
  • Must have at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of law for a Program Counsel II position o