The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking attorneys to work in the Office of Chief Counsel (CC). The office is located in Arlington, Virginia, and provides legal advice and support to DEA management and field offices worldwide. CC attorneys coordinate with DEA investigative personnel during investigations, provide legal training, and respond to requests for assistance from DEA Division Counsel.
Summary
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking attorneys to work in the Office of Chief Counsel (CC). The office is located in Arlington, Virginia, and provides legal advice and support to DEA management and field offices worldwide. CC attorneys coordinate with DEA investigative personnel during investigations, provide legal training, and respond to requests for assistance from DEA Division Counsel.
The Office of Chief Counsel and each of its sections serve the DEA mission in a variety of ways. Representative work of the sections includes the following, and applicants with experience in these areas are preferred:
Diversion: works with investigators across the country to bring administrative enforcement actions against doctors, pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry who handle controlled substances in a manner inconsistent with regulation; litigate complex matters in administrative court and coordinate parallel criminal and civil proceedings; and provide legal guidance in the promulgation of regulations, review legislative proposals and provide training to DEA personnel in this area of law.
Employment Defensive Litigation: defend DEA in administrative cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; provide litigation support in Title VII and personnel-related litigation in the respective federal courts of the US; process administrative tort claims for personal injury and property damages due to DEA employees actions or omission that occurred during the performance of their official duties; and provide counseling on employment and personnel matters.
Intelligence Law: guides and supports DEA's Intelligence Division (IN) leadership and personnel; oversees all legal aspects related to the IN Division mission worldwide; and advises and supports IN Division personnel as they collect, collate, analyze, and disseminate tactical, investigative, and strategic drug-related intelligence information to federal, state, and local agencies, which supports effective law enforcement operations and initiatives against drug trafficking domestically and around the world.
Do your career "Justice" by working with DOJ, which has been ranked in the Top 10 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Come and join the nation's law enforcement agency, where our most important resource is our people. The Department leads the nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. Become a member of a team where you can achieve your career goals and apply your skills and talents to our important mission. All applicants for employment with DEA must possess and maintain the highest levels of character and conduct. DEA will evaluate applicants' qualifications based on these qualities. Once a conditional offer is made, DEA will conduct a continuous evaluation of information, as it is obtained, to ensure that the prospective employees with DEA meet the agency-specific qualifications in the areas of character and conduct. To this end, an unfavorable decision in any of the areas that follow will be deemed as disqualifying: Drug Policy Requirements (as specified in this announcement), Credit History, Candor and Honesty, Work History, History with the Law, and other qualities that would detract from the integrity and efficiency of the DEA.
Must be able to obtain and maintain Top-Security Clearance
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Drug testing designated position
Must be active member of a Bar Association
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
All applicants must be an active member of a bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) and possess: 1) a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and have at least 1-year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience; 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; 5) demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment; and 6) Five (5) years of legal experience is preferred, and experience in administrative law is also preferred but not required.
Education
A J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see www.ed.gov.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.
Additional information
Do your career "Justice" by working with DOJ, which has been ranked in the Top 10 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Come and join the nation's law enforcement agency, where our most important resource is our people. The Department leads the nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. Become a member of a team where you can achieve your career goals and apply your skills and talents to our important mission. All applicants for employment with DEA must possess and maintain the highest levels of character and conduct. DEA will evaluate applicants' qualifications based on these qualities. Once a conditional offer is made, DEA will conduct a continuous evaluation of information, as it is obtained, to ensure that the prospective employees with DEA meet the agency-specific qualifications in the areas of character and conduct. To this end, an unfavorable decision in any of the areas that follow will be deemed as disqualifying: Drug Policy Requirements (as specified in this announcement), Credit History, Candor and Honesty, Work History, History with the Law, and other qualities that would detract from the integrity and efficiency of the DEA.
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.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date 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.
Cover letter describing your interest in the position.
Resume - showing applicant's name, email address, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed.
Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
Law School Transcripts - Submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Proof of current and active bar association membership
SF-50 (If Applicable) - SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. If Applicable; Applicants must submit as SF-50 and annotate on their resume if they are a current or former Political Appointee (within the last 5 years). All Application materials must be in a least 12-point font. Writing samples should not exceed 10 pages. The applicant's cover letter should highlight relevant experience and qualifications applicable to the position.
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.
To start your application, click Apply and the system will provide guidance on how to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Alternate Application Procedures If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US
Next steps
Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
After applications are received.
After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Cover letter describing your interest in the position.
Resume - showing applicant's name, email address, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed.
Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
Law School Transcripts - Submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Proof of current and active bar association membership
SF-50 (If Applicable) - SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. If Applicable; Applicants must submit as SF-50 and annotate on their resume if they are a current or former Political Appointee (within the last 5 years). All Application materials must be in a least 12-point font. Writing samples should not exceed 10 pages. The applicant's cover letter should highlight relevant experience and qualifications applicable to the position.
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.
To start your application, click Apply and the system will provide guidance on how to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Alternate Application Procedures If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US
Next steps
Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
After applications are received.
After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
