UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION
OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE
EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS / GS-13 to GS-15
The National Security Division’s Office of Intelligence (formerly the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review), U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking experienced attorneys for positions in Washington, D.C. The mission of the Office of Intelligence is to protect the nation against terrorism and other threats to national security by providing legal representation and counsel to the Intelligence Community in support of its operations and by conducting oversight of intelligence activities to ensure adherence to the Constitution and laws of the United States. The Office of Intelligence is part of the Department’s new National Security Division, which consolidates the Department’s primary national security elements and is responsible for carrying out the Department’s highest priority of protecting the country by preventing acts of terrorism.
Attorneys in the Office of Intelligence play a critical role in the nation’s effort to prevent acts of international terrorism and to thwart the intelligence activities of hostile foreign powers. We handle a wide range of complex and highly sensitive legal matters involving terrorism and counterintelligence, primarily arising under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). In particular, attorneys represent the United States before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and obtain authorization for agencies in the Intelligence Community to conduct sensitive intelligence operations, including electronic surveillance and searches. Attorneys work closely with other components of the Department of Justice and with agencies in the Intelligence Community, providing advice on legal and policy matters relating to intelligence operations and applicable laws, regulations, and policies. We also are responsible for conducting oversight of the national security activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies to ensure that these activities are conducted in conformance with civil liberties and privacy laws and other legal standards. In addition, attorneys in the Office of Intelligence advise and work with federal and state prosecutors on criminal cases involving intelligence matters and the use of information collected under FISA.Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction). Three years of post J.D. legal experience is preferred. Applicants must have superior academic credentials, possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and have the dedication and capacity to work independently in a very demanding environment. Past experience in the national security or intelligence field is not required.
Applicants must be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances. Please submit a cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience, a copy of your resume with a writing sample (we encourage you to submit a legal memorandum or brief), applicants with three or fewer years of post J.D. experience must submit a copy of their law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and a current performance appraisal, if applicable, to:
U.S. Department of Justice
National Security Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Attn: Joyce Klitenic, Room 6150
No telephone calls, please. Announcement remains opened until positions are filled. Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level ranging from GS-13 ($82,961-107,854)) to GS-15 ($115,317- $149,000).
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. Citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. Citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.
This and selected other legal position announcements may be found on
the Internet at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm.