Legal Careers
Investigative Law Attorney
Investigative and Administrative Law Branch
The Investigative and Administrative Law Branch assists the supporting the operational and administrative components of the FBI by providing timely, accurate, and cogent legal advice and counsel on a wide range of issues and matters in the areas of criminal investigations, operations, and techniques, critical incident response, operational technology, information technology, forfeiture matters, legal instruction, international law enforcement, criminal justice information, administrative procurement, information sharing, and privacy law. Additionally, it provides quality legal instruction to classes of FBI personnel, the National Academy, the National Law Institute, and other specialized classes.
Mission:
The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Investigative Law Unit (ILU): ILU directly supports the FBI's national priorities by providing legal and policy advice and guidance concerning criminal investigative jurisdiction, operations, and techniques to the Criminal Investigative Division, Inspection Division, Directorate of Intelligence, the International Operations Division, and all FBI Field Offices and Legal Attaché Offices. The General Attorney hired for this position will provide legal advice and counsel to the Homeland Security Task Force and Executive Management and will work as part of the ILU team to address overarching legal issues affecting FBIHQ and the field. In addition, the attorney will be responsible for contributing to agency wide policy issues. These policies often have a significant impact on FBI operations.
Fiscal and Contract Law Unit (FCLU): This unit handles all aspects of the federal procurement process, including acquisition planning, award determinations, protests, contract administration, and claims resolution. It also provides comprehensive fiscal law advice, to include issues related to bona fide need requirements, augmentation, interagency financing arrangements, authorization concerns, and legislative drafting. The unit further advises on facilities/real estate issues and environmental concerns, as well as many other areas of federal regulatory practice. FCLU is seeking an experienced government contracts attorney to add to its team.
Privacy and Civil Liberties Unit (PCLU): Attorneys working in PCLU apply their expertise, skills, and education to protect the nation by providing legal advice and counsel across all FBI investigative and intelligence collection programs. These attorneys ensure that FBI activities comply with the U.S. Constitution, federal privacy laws (such as the Privacy Act and Section 208 of the E-Government Act), executive actions, regulations, and policies. PCLU attorneys provide expertise in the following areas: privacy and civil liberties issues affecting the FBI both operationally and as an employer; the authorized sharing of information about individuals by FBI personnel; Privacy Threshold Analyses, Privacy Impact Assessments, and Systems of Records Notices for FBI information technology systems; Memorandums of Understanding and information sharing agreements; data breaches involving FBI information; and legal analysis of legislation, regulations, and policies.
These positions will work out of the Homeland Security Task Force's (HSTF) National Coordination Center in Merrifield, Virginia directly advising HSTF and coordinating outreach to other parts of OGC as needed. Attorneys selected for this vacancy should have experience in the substantive law covered by one or more of the units described above. The selected attorneys will ultimately be assigned to one of the units discussed above, though their assigned work may span units and even include legal issues covered by other parts of OGC.
GS-14
- Consults and provides legal guidance to clients on issues related to operational and criminal law;
- Provides prompt and thorough advice to the field office Chief Division Counsels on operational and criminal law issues;
- Participates in the policy process to ensure all legal equities and risks are addressed; and
- Drafts memos and decisional papers for executive management.
GS-15
- Briefs OGC executive management on legal issues arising from operational clients.
Key Requirements:
- Must be a U. S. citizen
- Must be able to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance
- Selectee may be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
- Selectee will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 annually.
The Department of Justice will approve candidates that are selected for this position.
Please ensure work experience/requirement(s) are identifiable in the resume. The resume and supporting documentations will determine whether the candidate meets the job qualifications listed in this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements at the time of application.
Applicants deemed most competitive will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration.
All applicants are rated on the following competencies:
- Analytic Thinking
- Communication
- Governance and Legal Jurisprudence
- Leadership
- Oral/Written Communication
- Research
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
- Possess a law degree from an accredited American Bar Association law school; and
- Proof of active membership and good standing with any U. S. jurisdiction bar association
Positive Education Requirement: This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic requirement by submitting proof of J.D. degree and proof of good standing with a U. S. jurisdiction bar association. Please see the “Required Documents: section of this announcement for additional information.
Education: Applicant must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or have a LLM degree or other graduate law school degree in additional to J.D.) and be an active member of a U.S. jurisdiction bar association.
GS-14: Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 2.5 or more years post J.D. attorney experience.
GS-15: Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. attorney experience.
NOTE: All FBI employees must undergo an FBI Background Investigation and receive an FBI Top Secret security clearance. For employment eligibility with the FBI, applicants must not violate any of the automatic employment disqualifiers and adhere to the FBI's pre-employment drug policy. Please ensure you meet these standards before submitting an application. All of these disqualifiers are extensively researched during the FBI Background Investigation Process. The preliminary employment requirements include a polygraph examination; a test for illegal drug use; credit and records checks; and extensive interviews with former and current colleagues, neighbors, friends, professors, etc. Before applying for this position, please make sure that the FBI Employment Disqualifiers do not apply to you. https://www.fbijobs.gov/working-at-FBI/eligibility
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, provide a complete application package which includes the following REQUIRED documents:
- Your cover letter and resume, not to exceed 2 pages
- A writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages
- Proof of current and active bar association membership
- Copy of Law School Transcripts\
- Current SF-50 (if external government employee)]
- DD 214 (proof of Veteran's Preference)
Please Note: FBI employees currently assigned to a General Attorney position do not need to provide Law School Transcripts or Proof of Bar association Membership.
Step 1: Create a new email and attach all required electronic documents. Include contact information (phone number) and a brief introduction (2-3) sentences in the body of the email.
Step 2: Title the subject of the email using the following format, indicating whether you are an internal or external candidate. (Example: OGC_MH_IALB_2025_External/Internal)
Step 3: Submit the completed application email to OGC-JOBS@fbi.gov
What to Expect Next
Once your complete application is received, the FBI will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified of your status throughout the application process.
Internal Applicants Additional Information
- Management may select any grade for which this position is announced.
- Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
- Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
- Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.
- A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Unacceptable."
- A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identified leave abuse and/or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of the office.
- Limited Movement: Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months.
- Relocation expenses will be borne by the selectee, except FBI employees returning from LEGAT assignment. Employees returning from LEGAT assignments must advise the Staffing Unit, Administrative Unit, and the International Operations Unit of their application to apply.
- On December 22, 2017, the Presidential Administrative signed into law the Tax cuts and Jobs Act. This law may impact your transfer.
- This legislation may previously non-taxed moving expenses reimbursement taxable as of January 1, 2018. Please see HR Link for the list of FBI's current understanding of the applicable tax changes. However, this may change upon receipt of official guidance from GSA and DOJ.
- Current law provides the FBI with the authority to compensate employees for much of the tax burden caused by a transfer through the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) possess, in an effort to identify way to minimize the additional tax burden on transferring employees.
- Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location , whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one-year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
- Employees selected for positions at the GS-14 level or higher, as well as employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.
- Memorandum of Understanding: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, ie back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished, no credit will be given for the time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum of Understanding):
- Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
- The month/year work began
- Frequency worked (i.e. daily, monthly, etc.)
- Specific duties performed
Attach the Memorandum of Understanding to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
External Applicants Additional Information
- The FBI is in the Executive Branch if the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
- Applicants must be a U. S. citizen and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
- Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
- Management may select any grade for which this position is announced.
- Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
- If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI. The probationary periods will be served concurrently.
- Memorandum of Understanding: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, ie back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished, no credit will be given for the time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum of Understanding):
- Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
- The month/year work began
- Frequency worked (i.e. daily, monthly, etc.)
- Specific duties performed
Veterans Preference
If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment of promotion.
Reasonable Accommodation Request
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of your application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA). Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either email at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODATION@fbi.gov, telephone at (202) 324-4128 or FAX at (202) 324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.
Benefits
The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp
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.
GS-14: 142,488.00, - $185,234.00; GS-15: $167,603.00 - $195,200.00
Department Policies
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
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://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.
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.