Attorney Adviser (General) Job in El Paso, TX

Vacancy No. H-DEA-25-12748469-DE-DJ Department Drug Enforcement Administration
Salary $124,531.00 to $190,424.00 Grade 14 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/17/2025 Close Date 6/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
El Paso, TX


Summary

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is seeking an attorney to work in the Office of Chief Counsel (CC), at the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), in El Paso, TX.

The attorney will serve as the Division Counsel and will be the primary legal advisor to the Director/Special Agent in Charge of EPIC.

Duties

Typical assignments may include:

  • Providing advice, opinions, and guidance to the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) and members of the Division leadership team on legal issues.
  • Providing support in civil and administrative litigation.
  • Preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and memorandum opinions.
  • Assisting in drafting and reviewing proposals to amend federal laws and regulations and responses to requests from Congress.
  • Training DEA personnel in complex issues of law and policy.
The attorney will have a particular focus on international/intelligence law matters, but will be responsible for providing advice and counsel concerning all legal matters and issues arising at EPIC, including substantive criminal law, information law, law enforcement technical collection programs, fiscal law questions, and Federal employment and personnel law issues, and assisting the United States Attorney's Offices and other elements of the executive branch on such legal issues related to drug enforcement.

The attorney will provide legal, policy, and operational advice on criminal law issues raised by DEA foreign and domestic operations and coordinate interagency and international transactions, including drafting or reviewing memoranda of understanding between DEA and agencies of the Intelligence Community; elements of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, and Justice; the National Guard; state and local agencies; and foreign entities, among others.

The attorney will also research and advise on intelligence, privacy, and other legal issues addressing, among other areas, the sharing of information with state, local, federal, and foreign law enforcement partners, agencies of the Intelligence Community, and other stakeholders. The attorney will also provide presentations, briefings, lectures, and legal training programs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain Top-Secret Security Clearance
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Drug testing designated position
  • 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); 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. Have at least 1 year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. Five (5) years of legal experience is preferred, and experience in administrative law is also preferred but not required. Spanish proficiency preferred.

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.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Required Documents

Required for ALL Applicants

  • Cover letter describing your interest in the detail.
  • Resume - showing applicant's name, email address, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed.
  • Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
  • Law School Transcripts - Submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
  • Proof of current and active bar association membership
  • SF-50 (If Applicable) - SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents.

If Applicable; Applicants must submit as SF-50 and annotate on their resume if they are a current or former Political Appointee (within the last 5 years). All Application materials must be in a least 12-point font. Writing samples should not exceed 10 pages. The applicant's cover letter should highlight relevant experience and qualifications applicable to the position.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

To start your application, click Apply and the system will provide guidance on how to attach a resume and any required documents.

During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.

Alternate Application Procedures If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Agency contact information

Debra Jordan
Address
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US

Next steps

Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:

  1. After applications are received.
  2. After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
  3. After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
  4. If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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