Attorney Advisor

Closing Date: 10th August, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
Serve as a NSD OGC Attorney primarily assigned to support the NSD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Unit as a client. The attorney will work on matters of national and international scope that involve the balancing of public access with protecting national security and effective law enforcement. The selected candidate will be required to coordinate across the inter-agency with a focus on agencies and components of the Intelligence Community (IC), as well as with DOJ civil litigators from both the Civil Division's Federal Programs branch and U.S. Attorneys offices across the country. The attorney will ensure that NSD equites are protected in a host of high profile and complex matters, including those in litigation.

Provides legal advice to, and consults and coordinates with, personnel in DOJ and other federal agencies on issues at the intersection of national security and civil litigation with an emphasis on FOIA and other information disclosure-related matters, including in complicated multi-agency FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) cases. To that end, drafts, edits, and reviews legal documents, including briefs and declarations, relating to FOIA and PA cases in litigation and keeps others within NSD, as well as Department senior management, apprised of the status of litigation.

Provides guidance in the development and establishment of FOIA/PA policies and procedures to ensure that significant FOIA/PA issues are identified and addressed.

Supports the NSD Records Unit by providing legal advice and guidance in connection with requests for pre­publication review of material to determine whether it contains national security information. Provides legal advice and guidance in connection with classification reviews, especially those that may impact release of information pursuant to FOIA requests. Provides legal advice and guidance regarding general records and information retention and related issues as needed.

Provides support to the NSD FOIA Unit, the NSD Records Unit, and the NSD General Counsel as needed to advance the NSD mission.

Assists with other OGC responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least three years of post J.D. experience and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction). Applicants must have superior academic credentials, possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and have the dedication and capacity to work independently in a very demanding environment. Past experience in the national security or intelligence field is not required.

Candidates selected for an attorney position with NSD are expected to make a three-year commitment to NSD.

Candidates must personally volunteer for Department-wide initiatives, special projects, Division-initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Must be able to meet JMD and NSD suitability criteria for this position.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance. Failure to obtain or retain this level of security clearance and access will be grounds for reassignment, demotion, or removal from the Federal Service. Employee must successfully pass a urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter.

This position is MISSION ESSENTIAL. Most, if not all, essential job functions must be performed in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). The incumbent is required to report for duty, in person, as necessary, in an emergency (regardless of holidays, weekends, nights, furloughs) or conditions such as weather in which non-essential personnel are not expected to report.

Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the National Security Division


Salary:
(GS-13) $121,785 - $158,322 per annum

(GS-14) $143,913 - $187,093 per annum

(GS-15) $169,279 - $197,200 per annum

Number of Positions
One or more

Travel:

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