Attorney-Adviser Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. JMD-DEO-26-13073369-DE Department Offices, Boards and Divisions
Salary $85,447.00 to $197,200.00 Grade 11 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/23/2026 Close Date 10/23/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Attorney-Adviser

Department of Justice
Offices, Boards and Divisions

Summary


This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the link below:

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page.

Duties

About the Office

The incumbent serves in the Departmental Ethics Office (DEO) in the Justice Management Division (JMD). DEO administers the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) ethics program for the Assistant Attorney General for Administration, who serves as the Department's Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO). DEO also manages the Federal Government Pro Bono Program. Among other responsibilities, DEO staff provide advice and guidance to senior leadership, career employees, and managers on ethics statutes, rules, and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.


Job Description

The position requires in-depth knowledge of Federal ethics laws and regulations. If selected for this role, you will:

  • Advise senior DOJ leadership, as well as managers and staff in JMD, on the application of Federal ethics laws and regulations, such as criminal conflict of interest statutes, standards of ethical conduct, financial disclosure requirements, gift acceptance, political activity restrictions, non-federal source travel reimbursement, and post-federal government employment.
  • Assist Deputy DAEOs in DOJ components.
  • Counsel filers and prospective Presidential nominees on potential conflicts of interest, including drafting ethics agreements.
  • Develop and present training on ethics laws and regulations.
  • Support the overall planning, organization, and implementation of DOJ's ethics program, including recommending program direction to ethics leadership.
  • Review public and confidential financial disclosure reports.
  • Communicate with necessary government officials, including officials within the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE), U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and ethics officials throughout the Executive Branch, to address the ethics program.
  • Support DEO's programs, as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
  • You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
  • Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
  • Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a J.D. degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade requirements listed below:

  • Up to 1 year of post J.D. legal experience to qualify for the GS-11 grade level.
  • At least 1 year of post J.D. legal experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
  • At least 1.5 years of post J.D. legal experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
  • At least 2.5 years of post J.D. legal experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level.
  • At least 4 years of post J.D. legal experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level, two of which were specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-15 grade level.

DEO is interested in applicants who demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities, as well as those who exercise sound judgment and enjoy working in and contributing to a supportive and collaborative environment.

Examples of specialized experience include: providing legal advice to employees on the Federal ethics statutes and regulations, including 18 U.S.C. §§ 203, 205, 207, 208, and 209, as well as DOJ's supplemental regulations at 5 C.F.R. § 3801 and 28 C.F.R. § 45; advising on the Hatch Act and the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act; independently performing legal analysis on Federal ethics issues; administering Federal financial disclosure requirements, including the use of Integrity or FDOnline; reviewing PAS nominee financial disclosure reports, advising nominees, and preparing nominee ethics agreements in coordination with OGE; training Federal employees on the federal ethics laws and regulations, ethics requirements, and related issues; preparing waivers under 18 U.S.C. § 208 and authorizations under 5 C.F.R. § 2635.502; and, experience responding to OGE-201 requests or requests under the FOIA for ethics related documents.

Education

Applicants must have a J.D. degree (or equivalent).

Additional information

Salary

Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is:

  • GS-11 ($85,447 - $111,087)
  • GS-12 ($102,415 - $133,142)
  • GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322)
  • GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093)
  • GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200)
Number of Positions
1 or more

Travel
Travel is generally not required for successful performance of the duties of this position.

Relocation Expenses
Relocation expenses are not authorized.

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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Required Documents

Listed under the 'How To Apply' section.

How to Apply

Application Process

To apply, interested individuals must submit:

  • A cover letter highlighting the applicant's interest in the position and detailing how the applicant meets the qualifications.
  • A current resume (not to exceed two pages) that details the month/year of education and employment and includes the month and year of earliest bar admission.
  • A brief writing sample or part of a longer writing sample (not to exceed five pages), which is exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and includes legal analysis.
  • The applicant's most recent performance appraisal.
  • List of references.
  • The applicant's contact information.

All application materials must be in a single PDF document and should be emailed to Melissa Flagg, Deputy Director, Departmental Ethics Office, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice at: deo@usdoj.gov. Subject line should read "Application for DEO Ethics Attorney."

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, 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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Agency contact information

Melissa Flagg
Email
melissa.m.flagg@usdoj.gov
Address
Justice Management Division, Department Ethics Office
145 N ST NE
Washington, DC 20530
US

Next steps

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the link below:

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships.

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career? Join the U.S. Department of Justice!

The Department of Justice (DOJ) leads the nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. As a Justice employee you'll be a member of a team where you can achieve your career goals and apply your skills and talents to our important mission. Read more about the exciting opportunities available.

Mission:

DOJ is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.

Core Values:

  1. Independence and Impartiality. DOJ works each day to earn the public's trust by following the facts and the law wherever they may lead, without prejudice or improper influence.
  2. Honesty and Integrity. DOJ's employees adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior, mindful that, as public servants, we must work to earn the trust of, and inspire confidence in, the public we serve.
  3. Respect. DOJ's employees value differences in people and in ideas and treat everyone with fairness, dignity, and compassion.
  4. Excellence.DOJ works every day to provide the highest levels of service to the American people and to be a responsible steward of the taxpayers' dollars.

Agency contact information

Melissa Flagg
Email
melissa.m.flagg@usdoj.gov
Address
Justice Management Division, Department Ethics Office
145 N ST NE
Washington, DC 20530
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Offices, Boards and Divisions, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.justice.gov/careers