Legal Careers
Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Section Chief), GS-15
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department’s efforts in carrying out its top priority of preventing and combating terrorism and protecting the national security. NSD provides legal and policy advice on national security matters; litigates counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and foreign intelligence surveillance matters; represents the Government before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and other federal trial and appellate courts; conducts oversight over FBI national security investigations; and oversees Intelligence Community (IC) elements’ foreign intelligence collection under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
NSD’s Office of Intelligence (OI) consists of the Operations Section, Oversight Section, and Litigation Section. NSD created a separate Litigation Section to ensure sufficient resources are devoted to FISA-related litigation and to help prosecutors handle evidentiary and discovery issues in such matters. The Litigation Section of OI reviews and prepares requests for Attorney General authorization to use FISA information in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. The Litigation Section also drafts motions and briefs and responds to defense motions to disclose FISA applications and to suppress the fruits of FISA collection. Finally, the Section works to ensure the consistent application of FISA in trial and appellate courts nationwide.
The incumbent of this position serves as the Section Chief of OI’s Litigation Section. The Section Chief exercises full responsibility for carrying out all policy, programmatic, and managerial matters assigned or required to assure effective and efficient supervision and coordination of intelligence-related litigation in OI. The Section Chief works under the supervision of the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for FISA Operations and Intelligence Oversight and the Assistant Attorney General for 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.
NSD is seeking an experienced Supervisory Attorney Advisor to serve as the Chief of the Litigation Section. The major duties include:
• Performs all duties assigned or required to execute the programmatic, legal, and administrative agenda of OI and NSD related to intelligence litigation, particularly litigation implicating FISA.
• Coordinates and oversees intelligence-related litigation matters, including evaluating and reviewing requests to use or disclose information collected under FISA in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.
• Coordinates with prosecutors on national security investigations and prosecutions involving the use of foreign intelligence information, including responding to requests for discovery of such information, motions to suppress, and all other litigation matters involving the use of intelligence information in criminal cases.
• Develops and conducts training for counterterrorism and counterintelligence prosecutors and agents regarding the use of foreign intelligence information.
• Coordinates national security, intelligence, and law enforcement initiatives at the highest levels of government. Provides legal advice and assistance to senior Department officials on legal and policy issues in the area of intelligence-related litigation.
• Coordinates with IC and law enforcement agencies in order to achieve U.S. intelligence and other national security objectives. Represents NSD when interacting with other agencies on legal, policy and operational issues. Participates in meetings, planning sessions, committees, task forces, and other forums and updates Department leadership and staff on pending issues.
• Supervises and rates a GS-15 level manager and supervises subordinate attorneys assigned to the Litigation Section. Plans, directs, and reviews work to be accomplished by subordinates. As required, establishes program emphasis, develops operating policies and guidelines, and communicates policies and priorities. In furtherance of these functions, determines and implements internal organization, practices, training needs, and improvements in work processes and procedures.
• Ensures that resource enhancements necessary for proposed priorities are identified and justified. Uses efficient and cost effective approaches to integrate technology into the workplace for improved program effectiveness.
• Promotes and supports the Division’s equal employment policies and programs designed to enhance workforce diversity aims. Demonstrates a firm commitment to applying merit promotion principles in all aspects of hiring, selection, training and development, and employee retention.
Applicants must be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least five years of post-J.D. experience and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction).
Applicants must also possess excellent analytical and writing skills and have experience with federal criminal practice, procedure, and litigation.
Applicants must have experience in leading attorneys and/or managing complex projects or litigation matters.
Experience involving the use of classified material in criminal litigation is strongly preferred.
Applicants must be able to develop and maintain close and collaborative working relationships with colleagues within the Department and the IC.
Applicants must have the dedication and capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a very demanding environment.
Please clearly explain in your cover letter your experience and skills that bear on the above qualifications.
Candidates selected for this position with NSD are expected to make a three-year commitment.
Please submit the following documents:
- A cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience, describing your interest in the Litigation Section, and explaining how your professional experiences relate to the qualifications listed above;
- A copy of your resume;
- A current performance appraisal (if a current performance appraisal
is available);
Please submit your completed application package to:
The following email address (preferred): Tammy.Green@usdoj.gov with the subject line “Litigation Section Chief Vacancy.”
Or, via U.S. Mail to:
U.S. Department of Justice
National Security Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Tammy Green
Litigation Section Chief Vacancy
Please submit applications by: January 30, 2021.
GS-15: $142,701 -$170,800 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.
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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.
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