Closing Date: 6th July, 2026
Description:
Summary:The General Counsel's Office provides legal advice and litigation support to United States Attorneys' offices and EOUSA on disciplinary and adverse actions, performance improvement issues, employee grievances, and any other employment related issues. GCO represents USAOs and EOUSA in EEO discrimination complaints, appeals to the Merit System Protection Board, and whistleblower claims filed with the Office of Special Counsel.
Duties:
The General Counsel's Office (GCO) is a component of EOUSA in the Department of Justice and is responsible for providing a full range of legal advice and services to the 94 United States Attorneys' Offices (USAOs) throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you.
GCO attorneys provide advice and legal opinions on the need for recusals, on fiscal law and procurement questions, and on other administrative law issues. As the Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Officials, GCO provides government ethics advice and consultation. GCO also assists United States Attorneys and their managers in taking disciplinary and performance action and represents the agency in administrative litigation stemming from such actions.
GCO is a very dynamic and fast paced office. The individual selected can expect a challenging and demanding environment and will be exposed to management concerns and top management officials within EOUSA and throughout the entire Department of Justice. If selected for this position you will serve as an Attorney Advisor (Assistant General Counsel) and will be responsible for:
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Candidates would possess:
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Education:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional Information:
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorneys-vacancies) and Volunteer Legal Internships (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/volunteer-internship-opportunities0. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: 1 to 5 nights of travel required per month.
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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or 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.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Additional Information:
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:
GCO attorneys provide advice and legal opinions on the need for recusals, on fiscal law and procurement questions, and on other administrative law issues. As the Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Officials, GCO provides government ethics advice and consultation. GCO also assists United States Attorneys and their managers in taking disciplinary and performance action and represents the agency in administrative litigation stemming from such actions.
GCO is a very dynamic and fast paced office. The individual selected can expect a challenging and demanding environment and will be exposed to management concerns and top management officials within EOUSA and throughout the entire Department of Justice. If selected for this position you will serve as an Attorney Advisor (Assistant General Counsel) and will be responsible for:
- Providing expert advice to the United States Attorneys and their staff in the interpretation, intent, and applicability of Federal laws, regulations, and programs in the assigned area(s) of law, federal personnel law, equal employment opportunity, recusals, government ethics, and fiscal law.
- Advising on questions of law involved in the operations of the organization.
- Initiating and maintaining liaison and effective communications with EOUSA management, United States Attorneys and their staff, Department officials and other federal agencies.
- Representing the agency in administrative litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Board of Contract Appeals, and assisting in Federal court proceedings.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
- You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
- J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
- J.D. Degree
- Active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Candidates would possess:
- Qualifications pertaining to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board litigating experience.
- Experience with at least three of the following areas: Standards of Conduct and Government Ethics, Federal Employment Law, Federal Equal Employment Law, and/or Federal Administrative Law.
- At least 3 years post J.D legal or other relevant experience.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Education:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional Information:
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorneys-vacancies) and Volunteer Legal Internships (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/volunteer-internship-opportunities0. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: 1 to 5 nights of travel required per month.
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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or 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.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Additional Information:
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. Learn more about federal benefits. (https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits?_gl=1*qt0sso*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODIzNzUzMzUkbzE0JGcxJHQxNzgyMzc1MzQ1JGo1MCRsMCRoMA..)
Review our benefits 9https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.?_gl=1*qt0sso*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODIzNzUzMzUkbzE0JGcxJHQxNzgyMzc1MzQ1JGo1MCRsMCRoMA..0
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.
Evaluation Method: Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview.
The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Veterans' Preference: 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 indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. 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 requir
Review our benefits 9https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.?_gl=1*qt0sso*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODIzNzUzMzUkbzE0JGcxJHQxNzgyMzc1MzQ1JGo1MCRsMCRoMA..0
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.
Evaluation Method: Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview.
The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Veterans' Preference: 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 indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. 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 requir
