Investigative Law Attorney Job in Merrifield, VA

Vacancy No. DESTIMP-12845106-26-VL Department Federal Bureau of Investigation
Salary $142,488.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 14 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/3/2025 Close Date 12/2/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Merrifield, VA


Summary

The Investigative Law Unit (ILU) directly supports the FBI's national priorities by providing legal and policy advice and guidance concerning criminal investigative jurisdiction, operations, and techniques to the multiple FBI Headquarters (HQ) divisions, and all FBI Field Offices and Legal Attaché Offices. The ILU attorney will provide legal advice and counsel to the assigned client group and Executive Management.

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 legal guidance to clients on issues related to operational and criminal law.
  • Provides prompt and thorough advice to the field office Chief Division Counsels on operational and criminal law issues.
  • 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

These positions will work out of the Homeland Security Task Force's (HSTF) National Coordination Center in Merrifield, Virginia directly advising HSTF and coordinating outreach to other parts of OGC as needed. Attorneys selected for this vacancy should have experience in the substantive law covered by one or more of the units described above. The selected attorneys will ultimately be assigned to one of the units discussed above, though their assigned work may span units and even include legal issues covered by other parts of OGC.

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.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for the Investigative Law Attorney 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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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