Duties

Summary

The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) efforts in carrying out its core mission of combating terrorism and protecting national security. NSD is responsible for supervising the enforcement of all federal criminal laws related to counterterrorism and counterespionage, except those specifically assigned to other divisions. NSD also serves as the Department of Justice's liaison to the United States Intelligence Community (USIC).
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities for a 0905 Attorney Advisor generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The Foreign Investment Review Section (FIRS) is responsible for three primary portfolios of work on behalf of the DOJ.
• FIRS attorneys provide advice and guidance to DOJ leadership, including the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, the Intelligence Community, and other Executive Branch agencies on national security concerns arising from foreign acquisitions of or investment in U.S. businesses as well as concerns arising from foreign participation in the domestic telecommunications infrastructure.
• Drafting and Negotiation of national security agreements to mitigate national security risks arising from transactions and, in rare circumstances, the drafting of recommendations by CFIUS to the President of the United States.
• FIRS attorneys also review FCC license applications to determine whether a proposed communications provider that is under foreign ownership, control, and/or influence poses such a risk to law enforcement or national security that it must either be mitigated through imposition of mitigating measures or opposed altogether.
• An attorney selected under this announcement may be required to work under the supervision of the Deputy Chief for Compliance and Enforcement, the Deputy Chief for Foreign Investment, or the Deputy Chief for Telecom at any point during the attorney's tenure.
• Attorneys in FIRS handle a wide range of complex and highly sensitive matters involving counterintelligence, technology, law, and policy.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Must complete a Background Investigation, including drug testing, and be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
• May require completion of two year trial period.
• Must be able to occasionally travel out-of-town.
• Candidates selected for an attorney position with NSD are expected to make a three-year commitment.

Qualifications

ALL APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:

• Applicants must possess a J.D. degree be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, and have up 1.5 or more years at the GS-13; 2.5 or more years at the GS-14; and 4 or more years at the GS-15 level.
• Applicants must also have superior academic credentials, writing and analytical skills.
• Applicants must also be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances.

Suitability and Citizenship: 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. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/ ). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Additional information

Department Policies:
Equal Employment Opportunity: 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, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor. 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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement .
Reasonable Accommodations: 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.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Grade and Salary Information: http://www.opm.gov/ Current salary and years of experience determine the appropriate grade and salary level:

(GS-13) $103,690 - $134,798 per annum
(GS-14) $122,530 - $159,286 per annum
(GS-15) $144,128 - $172,500 per annum

While not a requirement, applicants with past experience in civil litigation are asked to highlight that experience in particular in their cover letters.

Veterans: 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 must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter (highlighting your relevant experience)
• Copy of your Resume
• Writing Sample (no longer than 15 pages and that exhibits your own written
  advocacy skills)
• Current performance appraisal (if a current performance appraisal is available)