Attorney- Adviser

Summary

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: Legal Careers | Attorney Advisor, GS-0905-13-15 | United States Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/job/attorney-advisor-gs-0905-13-15-1

Duties

• About the Office The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department's efforts in carrying out its top priority of preventing and combating terrorism and protecting the national security. NSD provides legal and policy advice on national security matters, litigates counterterrorism, counterespionage, and foreign intelligence surveillance matters, represents the Government before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and other federal trial and appellate courts, and conducts oversight of the activities of various Intelligence Community agencies. Job Description Serve as a NSD OGC Attorney primarily assigned to support the NSD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Unit as a client. The attorney will work on matters of national and international scope that involve the balancing of public access with protecting national security and effective law enforcement. The selected candidate will be required to coordinate across the inter-agency with a focus on agencies and components of the Intelligence Community (IC), as well as with DOJ civil litigators from both the Civil Division's Federal Programs branch and U.S. Attorneys offices across the country. The attorney will ensure that NSD equites are protected in a host of high profile and complex matters, including those in litigation. Provides legal advice to, and consults and coordinates with, personnel in DOJ and other federal agencies on issues at the intersection of national security and civil litigation with an emphasis on FOIA and other information disclosure-related matters, including in complicated multi-agency FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) cases. To that end, drafts, edits, and reviews legal documents, including briefs and declarations, relating to FOIA and PA cases in litigation and keeps others within NSD, as well as Department senior management, apprised of the status of litigation. Provides guidance in the development and establishment of FOIA/PA policies and procedures to ensure that significant FOIA/PA issues are identified and addressed. Supports the NSD Records Unit by providing legal advice and guidance in connection with requests for pre­publication review of material to determine whether it contains national security information. Provides legal advice and guidance in connection with classification reviews, especially those that may impact release of information pursuant to FOIA requests. Provides legal advice and guidance regarding general records and information retention and related issues as needed. Provides support to the NSD FOIA Unit, the NSD Records Unit, and the NSD General Counsel as needed to advance the NSD mission. Assists with other OGC responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least three years of post J.D. experience and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction). 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. Candidates selected for an attorney position with NSD are expected to make a three-year commitment to NSD. Candidates must personally volunteer for Department-wide initiatives, special projects, Division-initiatives and perform other duties as assigned. Must be able to meet JMD and 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. 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. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the National Security Division

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least three years of post J.D. experience and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction).

How to apply

Application Process Please submit a cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience and describing why you are interested in working with OGC, a copy of your resume (not to exceed two pages) with a writing sample (we encourage you to submit a legal memorandum or brief), and a current performance appraisal (if a current performance appraisal is available) to: [email protected] with the subject line "FOIA Attorney Advisor Vacancy." No telephone calls please. 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.