Legal Careers
Supervisory Attorney Advisor
The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) efforts in carrying out its core mission of combating terrorism and protecting national security, including protecting our national assets from state-sponsored threats to the private sector. NSD is responsible for supervising the enforcement of all federal criminal laws related to counterterrorism and counterespionage, except those specifically assigned to other divisions. NSD also serves as DOJ’s liaison to the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) and represents the government and the USIC before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. NSD advises the Attorney General regarding all matters of national security policy.
NSD’s Foreign Investment Review Section (FIRS) carries out the Division’s work on matters involving the review of foreign investment in the United States for national security risk and acts to mitigate that risk. Of particular relevance to this position, FIRS carries out the Attorney General’s day-to-day responsibilities as Chair of Team Telecom, an interagency group formally established by Executive Order 13913 (Apr. 4, 2020) (“Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector”), which provides Executive Branch views to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as to whether granting particular communications licenses to foreign-owned or -controlled entities will pose law enforcement or national security risks. FIRS is also DOJ’s representative on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews acquisitions of U.S. companies by foreign entities, and certain other transactions, to determine the effects of the acquisition on national security.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
This vacancy announcement will be used to fill the Deputy Chief, Telecom vacancy. This position will oversee the Telecom Unit, which is responsible for chairing the Team Telecom interagency process that generates recommendations to the FCC within the deadlines and procedures established by the Executive Order, coordinating telecom legal and policy matters with interagency partners, and identifying and resolving novel legal issues related to the security of telecommunications infrastructure and services. The Telecom Unit also evaluates supply chain risks related to information and communications technology and services, for potential referral to the FASC (Federal Acquisition Security Council), as well as to the Department of Commerce under Executive Order 13873.
Under the direction of the Chief and Principal Deputy Chief, the Deputy Chief, Telecom will be responsible for overseeing the work of attorneys and technical experts in the Telecom Unit. The attorneys in FIRS handle a wide range of complex and highly sensitive matters involving security of telecommunications services and other foreign investment and corporate matters. Specifically, FIRS attorneys provide advice and guidance to DOJ leadership, including the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, the Intelligence Community, and other Executive Branch agencies on national security and law enforcement concerns arising from foreign presence in the domestic telecommunications infrastructure as well as concerns arising from foreign acquisitions of U.S. businesses in the telecommunications sector. Such guidance involves written analysis and may include the drafting and negotiation of national security agreements to mitigate national security risks arising from telecommunications licenses, or in some circumstances recommendations to deny licenses. When DOJ has adopted mitigating measures, such as national security agreements between DOJ and foreign-owned businesses, FIRS attorneys are also responsible for ongoing engagement with companies to monitor the subsequent compliance with those agreements. FIRS’s work is often done in coordination with other DOJ components, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Civil Division, as well as other departments and agencies, such as members of the Intelligence Community, and the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce, Department of State, and the Executive Office of the President.
The Deputy Chief, Telecom will help establish program emphasis, develop ongoing operating policies and guidelines, communicate policies and priorities, and determine and implement internal organization practices, training, and improvements as part of staff management. The Deputy Chief, Telecom will also represent the Department in interagency policy meetings germane to telecom security law, policies, and practices, and serve as the first-line supervisor for cross-cutting telecom security matters. The Deputy Chief, Telecom will also manage FIRS communications with senior Division leadership related to Telecom Unit matters.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, and have at least 5 years of post-J.D. professional experience to be qualified at the GS 15 level. Applicants must also have superior academic credentials, writing and analytic skills, and have significant experience in either national security or telecommunications law (preferably both). Applicants must also be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances.
To apply for the Deputy Chief position with FIRS, please submit a resume and a cover letter that highlights your relevant experience, with particular emphasis on the following areas:
- Experience demonstrating the ability to research, orchestrate and conduct national security risk assessments, to include threat, vulnerability, and/or consequence regarding telecommunications and/or information and network technology.
- Experience with the telecommunications sector, including but not limited to its technology, and other technical training or expertise.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to build coalitions successfully among stakeholders both to evaluate particular matters on a case-by-case basis and to address broader policy issues.
- Ability to manage attorneys and other technical experts.
- Ability to communicate legal, policy, and other issues clearly and persuasively to senior officials.
Please also submit a writing sample (no longer than 15 pages and exhibiting your own written advocacy skills) and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal to:
Applicants may send via electronic mail to FIRS.Application@usdoj.gov with the subject line “Deputy Chief Vacancy”
No telephone calls, please.
GS-15: $148,484 - $176,300 (per annum)
Department Policies
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department 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 of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO 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://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. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled 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.