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

About the Office

CES is responsible for overseeing investigative activities in connection with the enforcement of statutes relating to treason, sedition, espionage, and economic espionage, as well as enforcement of the criminal provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Arms Export Control Act, and the Export Control Reform Act; and the administration of the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA). The Section coordinates criminal cases involving the application of CIPA, and it administers and enforces FARA. CES provides legal guidance to U.S. Attorney's Offices and investigative agencies on matters within its area of responsibility.

Job Description

NSD seeks a Chief for its Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, focused on overseeing investigative activities in connection with the enforcement of statutes relating to treason, sedition, espionage, and economic espionage, as well as enforcement of the criminal provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Arms Export Control Act, and the Export Control Reform Act; and the administration of the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA).

The Chief:

Serves as the senior leader, supervisor, manager, and advisor for CES, subject to OAAG oversight and direction. Leads and manages sensitive and significant matters vital to national security. Provides leadership advice to guide numerous prosecutions within the CES portfolio, including in determining investigative steps and prosecutorial decisions. Oversees a large volume of ongoing investigations and cases in areas such as export control and sanctions; enforcement of counterespionage and counterintelligence laws; unauthorized public disclosure of national defense information; unlawful retention or transmission of classified information.

Provides leadership and oversees the substantive investigative and prosecution work of the section. Exercises significant discretion and independent judgment in determining how work will be accomplished within the framework of the Department and Division goals, objectives, and strategic vision.

Performs the full range of administrative and technical supervisory, managerial, and authoritative functions to direct CES employees. Directs and supervises section matters, including by approving investigative steps and analyzing the law.

Recommends selections for vacancies and promotions within CES, changes in position classification; and awards. Evaluates and resolves serious complaints and reviews and approves disciplinary actions where appropriate. Ensures commitment to applying merit promotion principles in all aspects of hiring, selection, training, development, and employee retention.

Obtains and leverages fiscal and human resources to achieve results-oriented outcomes and advises leadership office on budget enhancements that include both performance measures and outcomes that reflect the Section's, the Division's, and the Department's strategic goals and objectives. Advises leadership office on financial investments in non-routine training.

Provides advice, guidance, and support to the DAAG, PDAAG, and AAG on key mission-critical issues, initiatives, and agency responsibilities, including through significant daily interaction with leadership. Renders and oversees the development of legal opinions on a broad range of complex issues requiring varied knowledge, expertise, and experience. Advises NSD leadership on laws, regulations, proposed legislation, and other legal and policy developments that may affect the mission and functions of CES. Attends meetings with the National Security Council (NSC), Congress, and foreign partners as directed by NSD OAAG.

Represents the Section, Division, and Department in negotiations and discussions with other state and federal government officials and private sector entities as directed by the NSD OAAG. Participates in engagements with opposing counsel. Advises the NSD OAAG on its development of policies pertaining to CES. Works to ensure the appropriate resolution of significant legal issues. Resolves complex legal disputes between agency partners.

Provides expert strategic advice and judgment on policies to combat national security threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions. Analyzes complex legal, factual, and policy questions. Independently conducts research to help strategy or policyto guide Department decision makers and interagency partners, often under extreme time pressure. Directs and performs legal work involving knowledge of federal law and practice related to implementation of the programs administered by the Department as well as applicable state law and federal statutes, treaties, executive orders, rules, regulations and policies.

Personally volunteers and leads others in Department-wide initiatives, special projects, Division initiatives and performs other duties as assigned.

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 probationary or trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, and have at least four or more years of post-J.D. professional experience. 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 but is preferred. Prior federal litigation experience also strongly preferred.

Must be able to meet 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.

Occasional travel is required which may involve the use of commercial and/or government aircraft.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

The application materials are required to be submitted electronically as a pdf file by all applicants (including attorneys currently appointed to positions in the Department of Justice) and e-mailed to CESattorneyvacancy@usdoj.gov with the subject line "CES Chief Vacancy".

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in thier resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated, in the applicant;s resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible.

This vacancy announcement is open to ALL U.S. CITIZENS. To apply, interested candidates must submit ONE (1) PDF document containing the following.

- A cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and addresses in detail how all qualifications are met.
- A current resume that details months and years of education and employment and states the month and year of earliest bar admission.
- A short writing sample, or part of a longer writing sample (not to exceed ten pages), which should be exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and should include legal analysis.
- DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 copy) (if applicable).
- CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable); and
- Schedule (A) documentation, (if applicable).

Email the pdf document to: CESattorneyvacancy@usdoj.gov with the subject line "CES Chief 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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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