Attorney Advisor (General)

Hiring Organization
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hiring Office
Office of Chief Counsel
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
H-DEA-26-12884625-DE-DJ

Location:
Bedford, MA 02740 - United States

Application Deadline:
Friday, March 6, 2026
About the Office

Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel (CC) is seeking an attorney to work as Division Counsel (DC) for the New England Field Division in Bedford, MA. The DC will provide legal advice and support to DEA management within the division. A DC will coordinate with DEA personnel during investigations, provide legal training, and respond to requests for assistance from CC attorneys at DEA Headquarters. A DC will also prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, memorandum opinions, engage in discovery, take and defend depositions, appear at motions and evidentiary hearings, and provide other support in civil and administrative litigation. CC works with federal and state prosecutors, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to further DEA's mission.

The Department of Justice seeks to build and retain a workforce that shares our commitment to public service and welcomes interested applicants.

Job Description

As Division Counsel for the New England Division, 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.

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.
Working with federal and state prosecutors, and federal, state and local law enforcement partners to further DEA's mission.
Providing support in criminal, civil, and administrative litigation.
Preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and memorandum opinions.
Training DEA personnel in complex issues of law and policy.

Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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; 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; 5) a demonstrated ability to learn and master new areas of the law; 6) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. and 7) Ten (10) years of legal experience is strongly preferred.

To qualify for the GS-15 Grade Level:
Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. legal experience.

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.

Application Process

All applicants will have to apply through USAJOBS: Vacancy Announcement Number: H-DEA-26-12884625-DE-DJ

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. (No more than 2 pages)

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.

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.

Political Appointees (Current and Former): 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. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

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.

Salary

GS-15 $167,560.00 to $197,200.00 Per Year, includes locality pay.