Attorney Advisor (General)

Summary This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administrator (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel. This position primary purpose is to provide legal advice, review disciplinary proposals, defend DEA in employment-related administrative litigation, and support the defense of DEA and its employees in federal lawsuits. Department of Justice (DOJ) agencies post experienced attorney job announcements on the DOJ Careers page. Learn more about this agency Duties The Employment and Defensive Litigation Section (EDL) is a one-stop shop for all DEA personnel and employment law issues. EDL attorneys provide legal advice, review disciplinary proposals, defend DEA in employment-related administrative litigation, and support the defense of DEA and its employees in federal lawsuits. EDL handles a wide range of employment-related disputes and litigation matters. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical abilities, excellent advocacy and litigation skills, and experience managing complex cases in a fast-paced environment. Some duties of EDL attorneys include: Defending DEA in administrative, employment-law cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Serving as agency counsel working with United States Attorney offices to defend DEA in federal lawsuits across the country, including employment lawsuits (such as Title VII), Bivens lawsuits, and Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuits. Processing administrative tort claims for personal injury and/or property damage due to the actions or omissions of DEA personnel during the performance of their official duties. Providing advice to DEA management on employment and personnel matters. Preparing and submitting representation requests to the Department of Justice for DEA employees being sued individually in Bivens cases. Providing advice/review on grievances, performance improvement plans, reasonable accommodations, security clearance suspensions/revocations, disciplinary actions, and similar matters. Serving as DEA liaison in response to various employment-related investigations, including those by the Office of Special Counsel and Department of Labor. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance. Incumbent is subject to random drug testing. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/). Selectee will be required to serve a 1-year OR 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Must be active member of a Bar Association Qualifications All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. All applicants must be an active member of a bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) and possess: 1) a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and have at least 1-year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience; 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; and 5) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. To qualify for each GS Level, the applicant should have the following: - Applicants applying for the GS-13 must have 2 or more years of cumulative post J.D. legal experience in employment law, litigation, and/or a judicial clerkship. - Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 3 or more years of cumulative post J.D. legal experience in employment law, litigation, and/or a judicial clerkship. - Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of cumulative post J.D. legal experience in employment law, litigation, and/or a judicial clerkship. Qualifying litigation experience may include civil, administrative, or criminal litigation. Applicants should have a strong interest in civil litigation and employment law. Preferred applicants will have prior experience in a judicial clerkship and/or civil or administrative litigation (particularly that is related to employment law). Applicants must possess superior research, analytical, and writing abilities. Education A J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see www.ed.gov. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Additional information All applicants for employment with DEA must possess and maintain the highest levels of character and conduct. DEA will evaluate applicants' qualifications based on these qualities. Once a conditional offer is made, DEA will conduct a continuous evaluation of information, as it is obtained, to ensure that the prospective employees with DEA meet the agency-specific qualifications in the areas of character and conduct. To this end, an unfavorable decision in any of the areas that follow will be deemed as disqualifying: Drug Policy Requirements (as specified in this announcement), Credit History, Candor and Honesty, Work History, History with the Law, and other qualities that would detract from the integrity and efficiency of the DEA. Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. Please notify this office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.