Legal Careers
Attorney Advisor (Strategic Communications)
The Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”) investigates and prosecutes those who commit fraud against the American people. We fulfill our mission by using advanced data-driven investigative techniques; coordinating with agencies responsible for administering taxpayer-funded programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement on fraud-fighting efforts; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification and investigation of fraud; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice. The Fraud Division works every day to protect the financial integrity of the United States of America, ensure the vibrancy of the American economy, and seek justice for victims of fraud.
The National Fraud Enforcement Division, U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking a qualified, experienced Attorney Advisor for the Strategic Communications Section.
As an Attorney Advisor, the incumbent:
- Serves as the Fraud Division’s primary liaison with the Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Legislative Affairs.
- In partnership with the Office of Public Affairs, develops and executes a strategic messaging plan for the Division, including researching, drafting, and providing oral advice regarding speeches, talking points, press releases, social media posts, and other public communications.
- Researches, reviews, and analyzes litigation developments and public media activity for the purpose of providing oral and written advice regarding proposed public statements or significant management decisions.
- In partnership with the Office of Legislative Affairs, develops and executes a legislative agenda for the Division, including legal and factual research, drafting and revising proposed legislation and regulations, advising on legislative strategy, technical assistance, and coordinating with relevant stakeholders.
- Researches, reviews, and analyzes pertinent court decisions, laws, regulations and guidelines for the purpose of providing oral or written advice on proposed policies, legislation, regulations, or significant management decisions.
- Reviews and advises on legal ramifications of new or proposed laws as well as regulations proposed by other government agencies in the areas of fraud with particular attention to their potential impact on the authority or activities of the Division and/or the Department.
- Reviews draft Department regulations, orders and other procedures and proposed policies in practice areas to ensure that all legal requirements are adhered to; recommends changes, as necessary.
- Assists other divisions of the Department and USAO in the conduct of other federal court litigation involving the Department of Justice when interests are implicated. Advises Department managers on legal issues concerning the privacy, collection, maintenance, retention, disclosure and disposition of agency records under various laws, such as the Federal Records Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); and, in connection with this responsibility, reviews Privacy Impact Assessments for new or proposed unit information systems, and assists Department managers in responding to FOIA and Privacy Act requests.
- Confers with attorneys and executives of other departments and agencies regarding government-wide, multi-agency or interagency initiatives, or other matters of mutual responsibility or concern, including reviewing memoranda of agreement to ensure compliance with applicable laws and to ensure that Department interests are appropriately taken into account.
Required Qualifications: All applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and have at least four (4) years of post J.D. legal experience. Applicants must also be an active member of the bar in good standing.
Preferred Qualifications: Your qualifications will be further evaluated based upon the following competencies:
- Experience drafting speeches, talking points, press releases, or social media posts.
- Experience drafting legislative language or regulations.
- Congressional affairs or legislative counsel experience.
- Experience in interpreting statutes and assessing legal impact of proposed legislations.
- Experience building strategic partnerships with outside stakeholders.
The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement. Interested attorneys should submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample in PDF format to frauddivisionhiring@usdoj.gov with the subject line in the following format: “Attorney Advisor (Strategic Communications) – Last name, First name.” If your application is not submitted in the requested format, it will not be considered.
A complete application package must include:
- Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience).
- Resume: Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Your resume must be no more than 2 pages. Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted. Please ensure all information you believe is qualifying for the position is contained within your resume, or you may be marked ineligible. Additionally, your resume must include your JD date and the following information for each job listed: month and year, start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
- Writing Sample: Not to exceed 10 pages.
- Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc.
- Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable): please note on your resume and attach an SF-50. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.
- Schedule A Documentation (if applicable): The Fraud Division welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department.
- Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable):
- If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.
- If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
- If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-started-with-va/ or call 1-800-827-1000.
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.
This is a permanent position at the GS-15 grade level. The salary range for this position will be based on grade and locality. Please visit OPM's web page for more information on salary at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/.
Department Policies
The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and treating employees with fairness, dignity and compassion. We must ensure that no applicant for employment or employee of our Department is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex – including pregnancy – or because of age, physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor and that all have the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field. To learn more, please view the Department’s full Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
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://help.usajobs.gov/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.
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 their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.