Attorney Advisor Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. NSD-26-12959485-DE Department Offices, Boards and Divisions
Salary $121,785.00 to $197,200.00 Grade 13 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/11/2026 Close Date 6/11/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


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 links below:

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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 mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department's efforts in carrying out its top priority of preventing and combating terrorism and protecting the national security. NSD provides legal and policy advice on national security matters, litigates counterterrorism, counterespionage, and foreign intelligence surveillance matters, represents the Government before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and other federal trial and appellate courts, and conducts oversight of the activities of various Intelligence Community agencies.


Job Description

The Office of Intelligence (OI) of the National Security Division is seeking one or more experienced attorneys for its Operations Section. Attorneys in the Operations Section handle NSD's intelligence operations workload, including representing the Government before the FISC. At the direction of the Office of Assistant Attorney General (OAAG) for National Security, the Operations Section is responsible for preparing and filing all applications for Court orders pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and works on a wide range of complex and highly sensitive operational legal matters involving counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cyber. The mission of the Operations Section is to ensure that the FBI and other Intelligence Community agencies have the legal tools necessary to conduct intelligence operations in adherence with the requirements and safeguards of the law. The Operations Section also works with OI's Oversight Section on various matters, including overseeing compliance with FISC orders and jointly working on modifications to authorities governing the acquisition, retention, and dissemination of FISA-related information. In addition, the Operations Section closely coordinates with the FBI and other Intelligence Community agencies on intelligence operational matters and provides legal advice to other government agencies on matters relating to FISA and other national security laws and governing authorities.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • You must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
  • Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
  • A two-year trial period may be required.
  • Salary payments must be by direct deposit to a financial institution.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least three years of post J.D. experience and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction). Applicants must have superior academic credentials, possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and have the dedication and capacity to work independently in a very demanding environment. Past experience in the national security or intelligence field is not required.

Candidates selected for an attorney position with NSD are expected to make a three-year commitment to NSD.

Candidates must personally volunteer for Department-wide initiatives, special projects, Division-initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Must be able to meet JMD and NSD suitability criteria for this position.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance. Failure to obtain or retain this level of security clearance and access will be grounds for reassignment, demotion, or removal from the Federal Service. Employee must successfully pass a urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter.

This position is MISSION ESSENTIAL. Most, if not all, essential job functions must be performed in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). The incumbent is required to report for duty, in person, as necessary, in an emergency (regardless of holidays, weekends, nights, furloughs) or conditions such as weather in which non-essential personnel are not expected to report.

Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the National Security Division.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least three years of post J.D. experience and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction).

Additional information

Salary

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

(GS-13) $121,785 - $158,322 per annum(GS-14) $143,913 - $187,093 per annum(GS-15) $169,279 - $197,200 per annum


Number of Positions
Multiple

Travel
Occasional travel may be required.

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.

Please read the qualifications carefully.

Required Documents

Listed under the 'How to apply' section.

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

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience and describing why you are interested in working with OI, a copy of your resume (not to exceed two pages) with a writing sample (we encourage you to submit a legal memorandum or brief), and a current performance appraisal (if a current performance appraisal is available) to:

U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 6150 Washington, D.C. 20530 ATTN: Tammy Green/Operations Vacancy No telephone calls please.

Or apply by email to: NSDVacancySubmissions@usdoj.gov with the subject line "Operations Vacancy."

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

Viketa Edwards
Email
viketa.edwards@usdoj.gov
Address
National Security Division
2 Constitution Square
145 N Street NE
Room 9W.300
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 links below:

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Legal Careers| Department of Justice (www.justice.gov/legal-careers)

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Agency contact information

Viketa Edwards
Email
viketa.edwards@usdoj.gov
Address
National Security Division
2 Constitution Square
145 N Street NE
Room 9W.300
Washington, DC 20530
US

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