The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the ODNI provides legal advice and counsel to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and other ODNI officials on a wide range of legal issues to include intelligence and national security law; procurement and acquisition law; personnel law; government ethics, fiscal law; general administrative law; legislative support; government information practices (Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act); and intellectual property law.
Summary
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the ODNI provides legal advice and counsel to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and other ODNI officials on a wide range of legal issues to include intelligence and national security law; procurement and acquisition law; personnel law; government ethics, fiscal law; general administrative law; legislative support; government information practices (Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act); and intellectual property law.
Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive or excepted status; and all U.S. Citizens. Former members of the Peace Corps may be considered for ODNI employment only if five full years have elapsed since separation from the Peace Corps.
Provide expert, authoritative advice and counsel to the ODNI General Counsel and senior leadership and staff on often complex, difficult, and novel legal issues (1) that affect the responsibilities of the DNI and ODNI as they relate to statutes, Presidential directives, Executive Orders, and other related laws and policies, including the DNI's statutory responsibility to ensure compliance with the Constitution and laws of the United States by elements of the IC; and (2) that relate to all aspects of intelligence law and federal agency law, to include collection, analysis, covert action, foreign relations, intelligence and information sharing, security and protection of sources and methods, intelligence policy and legislation, and other related areas of intelligence and national security law, intelligence community policies and legislation, administrative law, personnel law, government ethics, government information practices, acquisition and procurement law, and federal appropriations law.
Render legal opinions and associated oral advice on a wide range of issues, often in areas where few or no legal precedents exist, and ensure legal requirements are implemented across the IC.
Provide expert legal advice to support the DNI's responsibilities regarding counterintelligence, security, counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and ODNI intelligence oversight activities.
Research and analyze a wide variety of laws, regulations, legislation, and policies; and draft or review new legislation (to include the annual Intelligence Authorization Act), Executive Orders, policies, congressional testimony, and related policy guidance.
Supervise and manage a team of attorneys and staff, including assisting with the supervision of other managers and the management of the OGC, including the development of the OGC budget, the approval of leave and training requests, the distribution of portfolios and assignments, the HR process, and other general office management issues.
Perform personnel management responsibilities with a focus on building a high performance workforce; promote team building and a collaborative work environment; ensure goals and performance objectives are understood; assess performance and provide timely feedback, recognition, and remediation.
Establish and maintain effective relations with the legal and (at times) policy offices of other Executive agencies and organizations, including the National Security Council; other IC elements; the Department of Justice National Security Division, as well as with the Congressional Intelligence Oversight Committees, with a particular focus on ensuring a comprehensive legal approach to major system acquisition law and policy; budget planning, programming and execution issues; research and technology; and the related fields of intellectual property law and government ethics.
Establish and manage liaison relationships with external partners to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to intelligence and national security law topics.
Represent the General Counsel and the ODNI on a variety of intra- and inter-agency committees and working groups.
You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
You must be willing to move to the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA).
You must successfully complete a medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
PROBATIONARY & TRIAL PERIODS
Employees newly appointed to the Senior National Intelligence Service (SNIS) are subject to a twelve (12)-month probationary period to assess their ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at a level of excellence expected of a senior executive. For permanent employees newly hired into the ODNI, the probationary period will run concurrently with the first twelve (12) months of a new employee's two (2)-year trial period.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) in your resume. Please see qualification section.
FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS
All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).
How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Qualifications
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed below in your resume. RESUMES MUST NOT EXCEED TWO (2) PAGES. Resumes over the two (2)-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, educations, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. For more information regarding ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page on the OPM website.
ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and Principles of the American Founding
This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence
This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4: Leading People
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5: Achieving Results
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
ISCOCQ: Leading the Intelligence Enterprise
This core qualification involves the ability to integrate resources, information, interests, and activities effectively in support of the Intelligence Community's mission and to lead and leverage cross-organizational collaborative networks to achieve significant mission results. Inherent to this senior officer qualification is a deep understanding of the intelligence enterprise and a shared commitment to the IC's core values.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualification Review Board (QRB)) or your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Mandatory Requirements:
Superior knowledge of the legal issues of counterterrorism affecting the IC with specialized experience following in at least 3 of the following areas: (1) National Intelligence Program budget development and execution; (2) general acquisition and procurement law and policy, to include major system acquisitions, source selections, and contract disputes; (3) research and development programs; (4) review of proposed legislation; (5) Congressional oversight and other Congressional liaison matters (6) administrative law, government ethics, and personnel law; or (7) government information practices and related litigation, to include the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. In-depth knowledge of the mission and legal issues affecting the IC.
Superior ability to think creatively to solve complex and novel legal issues.
Superior ability to establish and manage professional networking relationships both internal and external to the OGC and the ODNI and to gain consensus among disparate organizations on legal and national security issues of common concern.
Superior research abilities and written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by a demonstrated ability to deliver sound legal advice to senior government officials.
A reputation for integrity, objectivity, initiative and fairness.
Superior ability to integrate and synthesize voluminous and disparate information and comments into concise statements of agency policy, positions, or concerns.
Experience effectively managing attorneys and legal staff, which includes the ability to recruit, develop, train, and retain exceptional legal talent and effective support personnel; and experience assisting with the management of a legal office, to include planning and executing an office budget.
The ability to maintain effective working relationships within the OGC and between the OGC and other offices.
Education
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school and Proof of Bar Status in good standing in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or a U.S. Territory or Commonwealth.
Additional information
Reemployed Annuitants: Individuals who are already receiving an annuity based on their previous civilian employment with the Federal government are subject to the guidelines set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as outlined in 5 CFR Part 553, regarding the reemployment of annuitants.
JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL: Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Office Representative by email at DNI_COO_HRM_RA_ALL@odni.gov, by telephone at (703)275-3900 or by FAX at (703)275-1277. Your request for reasonable accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY.
The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination will be made. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
A complete application package must include the following:
a. RESUME: Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be removed from consideration. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed in the Qualifications section. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. You must ensure the resume contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position: job title; name of employer; beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), and hours worked per week. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
b. ESSAY QUESTION RESPONESE: The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question (please see questions in the Requirements section above). By submitting your responses to these questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).
c. COVER LETTER: Applicants must submit a cover letter as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed.
d. CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide their official most recent SF-50 (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement). SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" is used to verify to verify current federal status, position, title, grade, and organization of record. If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.
e. POSITION NUMBER: Reference the position number on each document submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
We encourage you to read the entire announcement prior to submitting your application.
In order to be considered, you must apply via USAJOBS. The ODNI will not accept emailed applications. Your application must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applications received after the closing date will NOT be eligible for consideration. All attachments should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:
Classified or government sensitive information
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
LITIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE
Director Of National Intelligence
Washington, DC 20511
US
Next steps
The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Due to the large number of applications received, applicants will be contacted ONLY if they have been selected for an interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A complete application package must include the following:
a. RESUME: Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be removed from consideration. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed in the Qualifications section. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. You must ensure the resume contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position: job title; name of employer; beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), and hours worked per week. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
b. ESSAY QUESTION RESPONESE: The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question (please see questions in the Requirements section above). By submitting your responses to these questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).
c. COVER LETTER: Applicants must submit a cover letter as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed.
d. CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide their official most recent SF-50 (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement). SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" is used to verify to verify current federal status, position, title, grade, and organization of record. If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.
e. POSITION NUMBER: Reference the position number on each document submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
We encourage you to read the entire announcement prior to submitting your application.
In order to be considered, you must apply via USAJOBS. The ODNI will not accept emailed applications. Your application must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applications received after the closing date will NOT be eligible for consideration. All attachments should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:
Classified or government sensitive information
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
LITIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE
Director Of National Intelligence
Washington, DC 20511
US
Next steps
The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Due to the large number of applications received, applicants will be contacted ONLY if they have been selected for an interview.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
