Skip to main content
Posted August 26, 2026

General Counsel

Institute of Museum and Library Services
Washington, D.C. Full Time
Compensation: $151,661 to $209,600 Annually
Reference: InstituteofMuseumandLibraryServices881993900

⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌⁠

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities.

To qualify for this position of General Counsel, the incumbent must:

  • Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (if selected official copies of your transcripts will be requested prior to entry on duty); AND
  • Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. State, a U.S. Commonwealth, or a U.S. territory.

If selected, the incumbent serves as General Counsel of the IMLS. The incumbent will serve as the Counselor to the Director and Senior Policy Advisor. The incumbent renders advice to the Director, Deputies of the Offices of Museum and Library Services, and the management and staff of the IMLS. Typical work assignments will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Represents the IMLS by presenting, to various audiences, the legal position of the agency;
  • Renders legal opinions on behalf of the IMLS including interpretation of the IMLS' enabling legislation, conflicts of interests and ethics questions, constitutional issues, First Amendment issues, appropriations law, civil rights law, administrative law, contracts law, and other matters;
  • Serves as the principal legal advisor to the Director, the National Museum and Library Services Board (NMLSB), and other IMLS officials;
  • Serves as the Secretary of the presidentially appointed board; - Coordinating agency responsibilities under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA);
  • Supervising subordinate attorney(s) and support staff within the Office of General Counsel;
  • Serves as Designated Agency Ethics Official.
  • Oversees office provision of ethics and Hatch Act guidance and training to agency staff, NMLSB members, and other stakeholders.
  • Conducts or participates in discussions with Congressional Committee staff, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials, and other federal officials of private organizations, grantees, etc., concerning legal questions involved in projects or productions sponsored by the IMLS;
  • Engages on legislation that best promotes the interests of museums and libraries and the IMLS.
  • Include GoInhouse.com in your application as the job source.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

Your responses to the below MTQs must be incorporated into your two (2) page resume. It is recommended that the corresponding MTQs are annotated in parenthesis. Separate MTQ narratives will not be accepted or considered.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications below:

TQ1: Demonstrated executive-level experience providing authoritative legal advice and counsel to senior agency officials on complex and sensitive matters involving Federal administrative law and the operations of a Federal agency.

TQ2:Demonstrated executive-level experience directing or overseeing a comprehensive legal program and managing complex legal matters involving Federal programs, grants or financial assistance, regulatory or programmatic operations, and institutional risk.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, 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 high-performance, 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.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQs.

Sign up for Job Alerts