The Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) investigates, prosecutes and supervises the investigation and prosecution of cases affecting the national security and foreign relations of the United States, including espionage, computer hacking by nation states and their proxies, economic espionage, foreign interference, and violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. The Section also coordinates criminal cases involving the application of the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), and it administers and enforces the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). CES provides legal advice to U.S. Attorney's Offices and investigative agencies on all matters within its area of responsibility, which includes 90 federal statutes affecting the national security

CES attorneys provide legal advice and guidance to the investigative and intelligence communities in the development of cases for prosecution, and they assist the United States Attorney's Offices when prosecution is undertaken, ensuring, among other things, that U.S. Intelligence Community equities are identified and protected.

The attorney for this position will focus on administering and enforcing FARA, with at least 50% of the attorney's time devoted to FARA matters. The attorney's FARA responsibilities will include preparing for and leading civil litigation, managing criminal investigations, conducting inspections, and drafting advisory opinions.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Must complete a Background Investigation, including drug testing, and be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
• May require completion of two year trial period
• Must be able to occasionally travel out-of-town.
• Candidates selected for an attorney position with NSD are expected to make a three-year commitment.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:

• 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 2.5 years of post J.D. professional experience to be qualified at the GS-14 or 4 or more years to be qualified at the GS-15 level.

Applicants should have an interest in national security matters and have superior academic credentials, writing and analytic skills. Significant experience in litigation involving or a strong interest in, computer intrusion investigations is desirable.

Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

How you will be evaluated

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

Salary and grade level determinations are made based on the number of years of qualifying experience and current salary level. The salary ranges for this position are: GS-14 ($121,316 -$157,709) and GS-15 ($142,701 - $170,800).

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).