Attorney (Operational Technology)

Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Summary

The Operational Technology Law Unit (OTLU) provides legal policy advice and real-time operational legal support on a diverse range of matters pertaining to the FBI's use of investigative technology, with its primary clients being the FBI Operational Technology Division (OTD), Information Technology Infrastructure Division (ITID) and the Information Technology Applications & Data Division (ITADD).

This job is open to

The public

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

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

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

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

GS-14:

Serve as legal counsel to assigned client division sections, units, and programs.
Advise client units and investigators on complex investigations and on the procedural and operational requirements for using technical investigative solutions.
Research and draft applications, orders and legal memoranda.
Develop, maintain, and manage relations with prosecutors and defense counsel, and provide advice to other federal, state, and local enforcement agencies on the use of technical investigative methods, including federal electronic surveillance statutes; and
Provide guidance on the application of relevant statutes and other authorities in all FBI operations and investigations as required, including the FBI Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide (DIOG) and Attorney General Guidelines.

GS-15:
In addition to the duties described above:

Identify gaps and develop legal policy solutions, including legislative and administrative proposals on emerging investigative technology issues and their impact on electronic surveillance and FBI criminal and national security investigations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U. S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance.
Selectee may be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Selectee will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 annually.

The Department of Justice will approve candidates that are selected for this position.

Qualifications

GS-14: Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 2.5 or more years post J.D. attorney experience.
GS-15: Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. attorney experience.

Demonstrated experience as a criminal prosecutor or prior sworn law enforcement agent/officer is preferred, as well as with the use and deployment of investigative technology. This experience, if applicable, should be highlighted in the application materials.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must respond to the following selective placement factor question:

Please discuss your experience, including as a prosecutor or investigator, in conducting, advising on, or litigating matters concerning technical investigative methods and tools in criminal or national security investigations. Please include experience with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Communications Assistant to Law Enforcement Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Stored Communications Act, or the Wiretap Act. Experience in this area MUST be identified in your resume.

Education

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Possess a law degree from an accredited American Bar Association law school; and
Proof of active membership and good standing with any U. S. jurisdiction bar association

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic requirement by submitting proof of J.D. degree and proof of good standing with a U. S. jurisdiction bar association. Please see the "Required Documents": section of this announcement for additional information.

Education: Applicant must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or have a LLM degree or other graduate law school degree in additional to J.D.) and be an active member of a U.S. jurisdiction bar association.

Additional information

Salary

Washington, D.C.

GS-14: $132,368 - $172,075
GS-15: $155,700 - $183,500

Huntsville, AL

GS-14: $130, 987 - $170, 289
GS-15: $154, 075 - $197, 200

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.

Review our benefits

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants are rated on the following competencies:

Analytic Thinking
Communication
Governance and Legal Jurisprudence
Leadership
Oral/Written Communication
Research

Required Documents

Your cover letter and resume (maximum of 2 pages).
A writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages.
Proof of current and active bar association membership.
Copy of Law School Transcripts.
Current SF-50 (if external government employee).
DD 214 (proof of Veteran's Preference).

Please Note: FBI employees currently assigned to a General Attorney position do not need to provide Law School Transcripts or Proof of Bar association Membership.

Step 1: Create a new email and attach all required electronic documents. Include contact information (phone number) and a brief introduction (2-3) sentences in the body of the email.
Step 2: Title the subject of the email using the following format, indicating whether you are an internal or external candidate. (Example: OGC_MH_OTLU_2026_External/Internal)
Step 3: Submit the completed application email to OGC-JOBS@fbi.gov

How to Apply

To apply for the Attorney (Operational Technology) position, please click here.

Agency contact information

OGC Jobs

Email: ogc-jobs@fbi.gov

Address: Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20535
US

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, the FBI will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified of your status throughout the application process.

Attorney (Operational Technology) Job