Attorney (Privacy and Civil Liberties)

Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Summary

Attorneys working in PCLU apply their expertise, skills, and education to protect the nation by providing legal advice and counsel across all FBI investigative and intelligence collection programs. These attorneys ensure that FBI activities comply with the U.S. Constitution, federal privacy laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974 and Section 208 of the E-Government Act, executive actions, regulations, and policies.

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

Consults and provides comprehensive legal guidance on FBI clients on issues related to privacy and civil liberties;
Conducts training for FBI personnel on privacy, civil liberties and procurement matters;
Participates in the policy process to ensure all legal equities and risks are addressed; and
Drafts memos and decisional papers for executive management.

GS-15

Briefs OGC executive management on legal issues arising from operational clients.

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.

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

Merrifield, VA:

(GS-14) $143,913.00, - $187,093.00
(GS-15) $169,279.00 - $197,200.00

Relocation Expenses

Selected internal FBI candidates will be offered a 20% cost transfer (relocation incentive), if eligible. To receive the incentive, internal FBI candidates will have to sign a 1-year service agreement and provide a proof of residency verifying they relocated to their new geographic area. To be eligible for a cost transfer, the candidate must move 50 miles or more to the location. Proof of change in residency will be required.

External: Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location will be required to complete a one-year commitment to the assignment prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The FBI may authorize a relocation incentive of up to 25% for current federal employees.

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.

All applicants are rated on the following competencies:

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

Required Documents

1. Your cover letter and resume, not to exceed 2 pages.
2. A writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages.
3. Proof of current and active bar association membership.
4. Copy of Law School Transcripts.
5. Current SF-50 (if external government employee).
6. 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, and the interested location. (Example: OGC_PCLU_Huntsville_2026_Internal/External and/or OGC_PCLU_Merrifield_2026_Internal/External)
Step 3: Submit the completed application email to OGC-JOBS@fbi.gov

How to Apply

To apply for the Attorney (Privacy and Civil Liberties) 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 (Privacy and Civil Liberties) Job