Attorneys

Office of Chief Counsel: Benefits of Employment

Among the benefits and advantages of assuming a position with the Office of Chief Counsel is the opportunity to excel in a work culture that is more than the sum of its parts. Here, you will find a commitment to provide a balance between your working and personal life, and the ability to offer many benefits that are every bit as competitive as those available at leading private-sector firms. In fact, more often than not, our benefits exceed private-sector offerings.

Training and Continuing Legal Education

The Office of Chief Counsel has an annual multi-million dollar training program with a variety of different course topics that range from basic skills courses to graduate-level law school classes. Chief Counsel attorneys are taught under instruction of the top specialists in the tax law field utilizing state-of-the-art teaching methods. These techniques include lessons via satellite, video, and computer-based training. Chief Counsel attorneys also participate in special seminars hosted by bar association colleges and universities on a regular basis.

Since 1981, Chief Counsel has contracted with New York University School of Law (NYU) for a Continuing Professional Legal Education Program. Through the program, up to 10 graduate-level tax law courses are available on an annual basis, both in the classroom and via satellite. These courses are held during the work day and are taught by leading faculty from NYU and other distinguished law schools. Specially designated NYU courses are available for credit toward a Master of Laws in Taxation at both NYU Law School and Georgetown University Law Center.

Government Service

Working for the Office of Chief Counsel affords a real opportunity for public service. Chief Counsel attorneys are responsible for assisting the IRS in determining and collecting the correct amount of tax and by doing so directly influence the lives of Americans. Chief Counsel attorneys interpret US tax laws and are held to the highest ethical standards.

Resource and Support Tools

The Office of Chief Counsel Library is one of the best Federal law libraries in the country. It contains the most extensive collection of materials (including legislative) in the country on Federal taxation. The Library provides top-quality research librarians that provide sophisticated research services to our attorneys nationwide with industry-specific electronic access in the areas of accounting, finance, business, international tax law and taxation.

Salary and Fringe Benefits

We believe that an employee’s quality of life is just as important as his/her salary and benefits. We realize that work is a major part of life, but we also realize that our employees have other interests and obligations. That’s why several of our offices throughout the country provide daycare facilities, fitness centers, and onsite healthcare facilities for Chief Counsel employees.

• Locality Pay
  You will receive a pay adjustment annually based on local labor market conditions.
• Flexible Work Schedules
  You may be able to take advantage of flexible or compressed work schedules. You may also elect to earn credit hours. Once earned, employees can use credit hours to be absent from work for short periods of time for personal reasons. On a pre-approved basis, you may be able to work on special projects from home or at an alternate worksite under our Flexiplace program.
• Promotion Policy
  Attorneys appointed at GS-11 through GS-14 are eligible for promotion to the next higher grade annually. GS-15 positions and above are usually reserved for supervisors, non-supervisory management officials, senior technical advisors and special litigation assistants. However, more than 100 GS-15 non-managerial positions were recently created for our attorney staff. Promotion candidates compete with other GS-14 attorneys and are currently selected by a board of senior executives.
• Awards Program
  The Office of Chief Counsel has a generous awards program. Employees may receive cash awards for superior performance or special achievements. Generally, several million dollars is allocated each year to this program.
• Retirement Plan
  The Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) provides a basic government pension, social security coverage and a thrift savings plan, which is similar to a 401(k) plan.
• Insurance Plans
  Employees may choose from a variety of health insurance plans, and the government pays a substantial portion of the cost. Group term life insurance and long-term care insurance plans are also available.
• Transportation Subsidy
  The Office of Chief Counsel will help pay public transportation commuting costs. In 2007, those who commute via public transportation are eligible to receive up to $110 per month.
• Annual and Sick Leave
  You will start out earning four hours of annual leave and four hours of sick leave every two weeks. After 3 years, you will earn six hours of annual leave every two weeks. After 15 years, you will earn eight hours of annual leave every two weeks.
• Holiday Leave
  There are 10 paid holidays annually. The President may also declare other holidays in recognition of special events.
• Leave Programs
  The government-wide leave program allows you to voluntarily donate your annual leave to Federal employees in other agencies, and to request the use of donated leave if you face a personal medical emergency. Absences due to maternity/paternity reasons are generally approved for periods between four and six months. An employee may use a combination of sick leave, annual leave and leave without pay to cover this absence.