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General Counsel

General Counsel, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Responsibility
Management Scope

The General Counsel will work closely with counterparts at other intelligence agencies, the legal advisors to the as the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and State Department and the Department of Justice.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides accurate and timely legal guidance and counsel to the director of national intelligence and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to ensure the office complies with U.S. law
• Assists the Director in his or her responsibility to ensure legal compliance by the intelligence community in general
• Works with general counsels throughout the intelligence community to facilitate implementation of ODNI policies and ensure compliance with U.S. law

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Strong legal background with knowledge of the national security field
• Experience working on complicated policy and administrative issues
• Experience working on matrixed teams and with a cross- section of senior executives

Competencies

• Strategic Orientation: demonstrates complex thinking abilities, incorporating both analytical and conceptual abilities to manage and develop legal plans and strategies
• Results Orientation: demonstrated ability to be proactive, exercise independent judgment and manage multiple projects simultaneously. A strong work ethic and a track record of producing high-quality work under deadline pressures
• Team Leadership: experience effectively managing geographically-dispersed staff of legal and administrative support professionals
• Collaboration & Influencing: proven track record of creating and managing relationships with peer executives inside the organization, outside counsel and third parties/institutions

Past Appointments
  • Robert Litt (2009-2017): Partner, Arnold & Porter; Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General; Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division
  • Benjamin Powell (2006-2009): Associate Counsel, White House Counsel’s office, focusing on national security issues; corporate lawyer and litigator; USAF and FBI service
AGENCY

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Mission: To lead intelligence integration and forge an intelligence community that delivers the most insightful intelligence possible.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Director of National Intelligence

SENATE COMMITTEE

Intelligence

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
This position description was created with the help of Egon Zehnder, a global executive search firm.
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