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SUPERVISORY ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (GENERAL)

Department of Justice
Offices, Boards and Divisions
Office of the Pardon Attorney

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 link below:

Legal Careers | Supervisory Attorney-Advisor | United States Department of Justice

Supervisory Attorney Advisor on Justice.gov

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/02/2026 to 03/29/2026
Salary
$169,279 to - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
NCS/High Risk
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
PARDON-26-12900466-DE
Control number
859820000

This job is open to

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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

Duties

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About the Office

The Office of the Pardon Attorney (PARDON) fulfills the duties of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in support of the President's clemency power under Article II, ยง 2 of the Constitution. For over 130 years, the President has relied on the advice and assistance of the Attorney General in exercising clemency power. PARDON is the office designated to carry out this function under the direction of the Deputy Attorney General. PARDON receives petitions for executive clemency, initiates the necessary investigations, and prepares the recommendations for DOJ leadership and the President in the consideration of all forms of executive clemency, including commutation of sentence, pardon, reprieve, remission of fine, and commutation of the penalty of death. PARDON also investigates applications for the Restoration of Firearms Rights under 18 U.S.C. 925(c). For more information about the Office, please visit our web page at https://www.justice.gov/pardon.


Job Description

PARDON is seeking an experienced attorney to serve in the role of Supervisory Attorney Advisor. The Supervisory Attorney Advisor will become familiar with all aspects of executive clemency and other relief programs. Among other responsibilities, the Supervisory Attorney-Advisor will review and evaluate the merits of clemency and relief petitions, confer with officials of the DOJ and external agencies regarding clemency or relief applications, collect information and records related to the clemency or relief investigation, produce high-quality detailed written recommendations, and advise the Pardon Attorney, the Deputy Attorney General, and the White House on the appropriate disposition of individual petitions for clemency or relief. Supervisory Attorney Advisors will interact with petitioners and their legal representatives and must demonstrate a high level of commitment to professionalism, courtesy, and public service. The position will also serve as a first-line supervisor of a team of attorneys and potentially legal support staff, overseeing regular and special assignments, reviewing work products, and rating overall performance.

Requirements

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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 an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), have a minimum of five years of post-J.D. experience, and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants must have Federal Government attorney experience.

The work of the Supervisory Attorney-Advisor requires significant attention to detail and the ability to thoroughly evaluate large case files, identify relevant issues, and recommend decisions. In addition, excellent legal research and writing skills, and exemplary judgment and discretion are required. Individuals must perform research on assigned questions of law or policy and prepare reports and memoranda for the use of senior officials of the Department. This position also requires the interpretation of Rules Governing Petitions for Executive Clemency (28 CFR 1.1 et seq.,), procedures for the Restoration of Firearms Rights under 18 U.S.C. 925(c), and other mission-critical programs of PARDON. A successful candidate will have the ability to manage a significant caseload, provide guidance and oversight to other attorneys managing significant caseloads, and work both independently and collaboratively. The Office places a premium on the commitment and ability to prioritize assignments and efficiently produce high-quality work, including substantial, appropriately focused, and well-written work products.

Applicants should also demonstrate compassion and the ability to undertake fair and balanced evaluations of applications submitted by Federal clemency and relief petitioners. This position is located in Washington, DC. This is NOT a fully remote position and employees will be required to come into the office. An out-of-area applicant who is selected for this position will be expected to relocate at their own expense. This position is telework-eligible consistent with the Office's telework policy.

Preferred Qualifications

Federal Government supervisory experience is preferred. Applicants must have at least 5 years of experience in post-J.D., legal work. Practice experience in federal criminal law, including a thorough understanding of federal sentencing law and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, prior federal or administrative legal experience, and excellent legal research and writing skills are also preferred qualifications. Applicants must also demonstrate exceptional communication skills and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.

Education

Please review the qualifications section for education requirements.

Additional information

Salary

The salary range for this position is GS-15.

Number of Positions
2

Travel
Travel is not required for this position.

Relocation Expenses
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

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.

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 emailed to Pardon.AttorneyVacancies@usdoj.gov. Please include "Supervisory Attorney Advisor" in the subject line.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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

Evaluation Process

A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to determine how well a candidate meets the minimum position qualifications outlined above. If a candidate is deemed qualified, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-qualified category will be considered for the position.

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