Summary

The Office of Tribal justice (OTJ) is the primary point of contact for the Department of Justice with federally recognized Tribes, and advises the Department on legal and policy matters pertaining to Native Americans. OTJ promotes internal uniformity of Departmental policies and litigating positions relating to Indian country and ensures that the Department clearly communicates policies to Tribal leaders.

This job is open to

The public

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

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

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.

Duties

Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ) is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Attorney Advisor to provide counsel and assistance to the Director and Deputy Director.

The duties and responsibilities for an OTJ Attorney-Advisor (Indian Matters) generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Provide advice on significant federal Indian law matters and assist in policy and legislative development and review to OTJ and Department leadership.
* Provide advice to OTJ leadership on Department components litigating, protecting or otherwise addressing Native American rights and/or related issues.
* Review proposed legal actions submitted by divisions that require OTJ approval or coordination.
* Perform legal research on assigned questions or law or policy and prepare reports and memoranda.
* Assist in coordinating with attorneys and officials of the Department, other government agencies, and interested parties to provide guidance and advice to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and policy requirements.
* Assist in maintaining liaison with federally recognized tribes, and work with the appropriate federal, tribal, state, and local officials, professional associates, and public interest groups.
* Develop, coordinate and execute special projects as assigned by the Director or the Deputy Director.

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.
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.
You must be able to obtain a secret-level security clearance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

J.D. degree
Active member of a bar in good standing, any U.S. jurisdiction or the District of Columbia
At least two years of post J.D. experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Proficient in analyzing complex legal information.
Producing clear and thorough written work in a timely fashion
Effectively advocating for a legal position
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Experience with federal Indian law is required.

Education

See Qualification section above for education requirement.

Additional information

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.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline .

DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.

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.

Evaluation Process:
OTJ management will review applications to assess each candidate's qualifications. The most qualified candidates will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview. Following the interviews, the top-ranked candidates will receive tentative offers of employment.

Required Documents

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

Resume
Transcript
Writing Sample

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: **Resumes over 2 page limit will remove the applicant from consideration.**

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.

Current or Former Federal employee (only): Most recent SF-50. Do not submit an award SF-50.

Military Service Members: DD 214, Member 4 copy, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if applicable)

Career Transition Assistance Plan 9CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP):

You must submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency OR if you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location OR Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.

If you are a person with a disability, claiming eligibility under Schedule A:

You must submit "proof of a disability" documentation ("Proof of a disability" is a letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability).
You must get this letter from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits.

Writing Sample

How to Apply

All applicants should email documents to: OTJ@us.doj.gov.

Please reference OTJ-26-001 in the email subject line.

Application deadline: June 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time

Reasonable Accommodation: OTJ provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the applicant and/or hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

Jeanne Jacobs

Phone: 202-514-8835
Email: jeanne.jacobs@usdoj.gov

Address: Office of Tribal Justice
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 | Legal Careers. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from close of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement within 90 days.

Attorney Advisor (Indian Matters) Job in Location Negotiable After Selection