Attorney Adviser (General)

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 How to Apply section below.

About the Office
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of professional misconduct involving Department of Justice attorneys and law enforcement agents that relate to the exercise of an attorney's authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice. OPR attorneys conduct sensitive investigations involving all levels and components of the Department and relating to a wide range of challenging and topical ethical issues, including grand jury abuse, discovery violations, and lack of candor. OPR also has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of whistleblower retaliation made by current, former, and prospective employees of the FBI. Because professional misconduct and whistleblower retaliation allegations may involve highly publicized or sensitive cases, matters with complex legal or factual issues, and those with novel ethical questions, the office seeks experienced, detail-oriented attorneys with discretion, good judgment, and excellent analytical and writing skills.

OPR attorneys and administrative staff are public-service oriented and dedicated to OPR's mission to ensure that Department attorneys perform their duties with integrity in accordance with the high professional standards expected of the nation's principal law enforcement agency. OPR's small size fosters collegiality and collaboration. OPR's offices are in the historic RFK Main Justice Building in Washington, D.C., with convenient access to parking, public transportation, and downtown attractions. This is an in-office position.
For more information about OPR, please visit our website at
https://www.justice.gov/opr

Job Description:
OPR attorneys enjoy a challenging mix of responsibilities that require investigative, analytical, and oral and written communication skills. OPR attorneys are expected to work independently and to effectively manage multiple concurrent assignments. Duties include the following:

• Developing investigative plans.
• Locating and reviewing relevant records and other physical evidence.
• Conducting in-depth interviews of witnesses and subjects.
• Researching complex and novel ethical issues.
• Identifying the relevant standards of conduct and applying the facts to reach well-supported conclusions.
• Drafting memoranda and reports that concisely summarize the facts developed during the investigation, discuss the legal analysis, and explain the investigative findings.
• Making recommendations for appropriate action to OPR and Department leadership.

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 two-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 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.
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (Top Secret SCI) Security clearance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing in any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.

Meeting the minimum post-law degree legal experience requirements does not guarantee selection at that grade level. The individual selected for this position must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance as a condition of employment.

OPR seeks experienced attorneys with an interest in professional responsibility, who possess the legal skills and sound judgment necessary to evaluate the sensitive issues that arise during attorney misconduct investigations. Candidates should have experience in and be accomplished at investigating factual disputes, resolving challenging legal questions, and crafting polished written work products. The ability to articulate critical issues accurately and precisely in written and oral communication is essential. A successful applicant will have significant expertise in conducting depositions or case-related interviews; handling trials at the federal, state, or local level; appellate advocacy; or similar litigation or investigative experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the rules and obligations imposed on prosecutors and other government attorneys by the Constitution, federal statutes, court decisions, orders, rules, regulations, Department policies, and applicable state bar rules.

• Possess the legal skills and sound judgment necessary to identify ethical issues and to evaluate the sensitive issues and complex legal problems that arise in the course of conducting attorney misconduct investigations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop positive working relationships in a wide variety of situations.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, outstanding organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities.
• At least five years post-J.D. experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

Application Process:

This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens.

To apply, interested candidates must submit the following:

• Cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and addresses in detail how qualifications are met.
• Current resume that includes months and years of education and employment, all bar admissions, and month and year of earliest bar admission. Resumes cannot exceed two pages.
• Most recent SF-50 (for current or former federal employees only).
• Writing sample (not to exceed 20 pages).
• Copy of J.D. degree transcripts (may be unofficial).
• Proof of current and active bar membership.

Applicants may be asked to complete a written legal analysis based on a factual scenario provided by OPR. Contact information for references may be required at a later time.

Applications should be submitted to OPR.Applications@usdoj.gov.

Application Deadline:
September 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility.

To apply, interested candidates must submit the following:

• Cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and addresses in detail how qualifications are met.
• Current resume that includes months and years of education and employment, all bar admissions, and month and year of earliest bar admission. Resumes cannot exceed two pages.
• Most recent SF-50 (for current or former federal employees only).
• Writing sample (not to exceed 20 pages).
• Copy of J.D. degree transcripts (may be unofficial).
• Proof of current and active bar membership.

Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

• Official position title,
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (including month and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

Veterans' Preference documentation: If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit:
(1) a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service, OR

(2) a certification letter from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. This letter must contain (a) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date and (b) character of service.
If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference as a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF-15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15.

College Transcripts - If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required, you must submit: An unofficial transcript containing a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award. Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day.

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