Closing Date: 1st July, 2026
Description:
Job Description:As Division Counsel for the St. Louis 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.
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); 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; and 6) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. 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: ww.naces.org/members.php.
Salary:
GS 15 - $151,699.00 to $197,200.00 includes locality.
Number of Positions
1
Travel:
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation Expenses
None
None