Demo

Attorney Advisor (General)

US Drug Enforcement Administration
Bedford, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 8/5/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/5/2025

Summary

As a Division Counsel you will serve as the principal legal advisor to Division personnel in all aspects of DEA operations, covering criminal, civil, and administrative law. This includes providing advice concerning search and seizure, electronic surveillance, investigative methods and techniques, interrogation, evidence, discovery, personnel and employment issues, asset forfeiture, fiscal law, policy guidance and compliance, and international issues.


This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens


Duties

Typical assignments may include:

  • Providing advice, opinions, and guidance to the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) and members of the Division leadership team on legal issues.
  • Providing support in civil and administrative litigation.
  • Preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and memorandum opinions.
  • Assisting in drafting and reviewing proposals to amend federal laws and regulations and responses to requests from Congress.
  • Training DEA personnel in complex issues of law and policy.


Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • 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) Seven (7) years of legal experience is preferred, and experience in administrative law is 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

The Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking an attorney to work in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel (CC). This office is located in Bedford, MA, and provides legal advice and support to DEA management and field offices worldwide.

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.

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.


Required Documents

Required for ALL Applicants

  • 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.
The selected applicant may be required to enter into a mobility agreement.

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:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.


How to Apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

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.


Agency contact information

Debra Jordan
Phone
571-776-2688
Email
Debra.M.Jordan@usdoj.gov
Address
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.


Overview

Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
08/05/2025 to 08/18/2025
Salary
$141,041 to - $195,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bedford, MA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
  • 0905 Attorney
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness
  • National security
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
H-DEA-25-12776165-DE-DJ
Control number
842357900

Salary : $195,200

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