Closing Date: 5th June, 2026
Description:
Summary:Office of Information Policy (OIP) manages the Department's responsibilities related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which includes coordinating and implementing policy development and compliance government-wide for the FOIA, processing FOIA requests for the senior leadership offices within the Department, adjudicating all administrative appeals from denials by any Department component under the FOIA, and assisting in the defense of certain FOIA matters in litigation.
Duties:
The duties and responsibilities for an Attorney-Adviser (Appeals Staff), GS-0905-12/13/14/15 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
To qualify for the position of Attorney-Adviser, at GS-0905-12/13/14/15, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
Preferred qualifications: It is preferred that applicants have knowledge of and a demonstrated interest in the Freedom of Information Act AND have administrative law and/or civil litigation experience.
Qualifications needed at the GS-13: Candidates must have at least one-year FOIA processing/FOIA litigation.
Qualifications needed at the GS-14: Candidates must have at least two-years of FOIA processing/FOIA litigation.
You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 06/05/2026 of this announcement.
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
Education:
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.
Applicants MUST possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent), AND be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction)
Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional Information:
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, tax, and credit checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. Applicants will be required to qualify for a Top Secret security clearance.
Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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:
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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.
DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to contact information contained in the job announcement. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.
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:
- OIP is hiring an Attorney-Advisor to be assigned to its Administrative Appeals Staff. Primary duties of this position include the adjudication of appeals from Department component FOIA determinations. The incumbent will perform varied legal work involving the interpretation and application of laws, executive orders, regulations, precedents, and agency practices relating to the FOIA.
- Recommending proposed actions to be taken in the adjudication of administrative Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeals by reviewing the administrative record and evaluating actions taken by Department of Justice components in processing initial FOIA requests.
- Conducting legal research and providing legal advice to a wide variety of federal agencies involving inquiries and assignments related to the application of FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) access laws.
- Developing a mastery of assigned area(s) of expertise and updating corresponding section(s) of the United States Department of Justice Guide to the FOIA.
- Encouraging FOIA compliance by components of the Department of Justice.
- Providing instructional training and guidance to various federal Departments regarding compliance with FOIA.
- Providing written and oral legal advice to litigators or periodically serving as litigators in defending certain FOIA lawsuits.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- You will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Qualifications:
To qualify for the position of Attorney-Adviser, at GS-0905-12/13/14/15, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
Preferred qualifications: It is preferred that applicants have knowledge of and a demonstrated interest in the Freedom of Information Act AND have administrative law and/or civil litigation experience.
Qualifications needed at the GS-13: Candidates must have at least one-year FOIA processing/FOIA litigation.
Qualifications needed at the GS-14: Candidates must have at least two-years of FOIA processing/FOIA litigation.
You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 06/05/2026 of this announcement.
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
Education:
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.
Applicants MUST possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent), AND be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction)
Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional Information:
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, tax, and credit checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. Applicants will be required to qualify for a Top Secret security clearance.
Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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.
DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to contact information contained in the job announcement. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.
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*c9tv1j*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODAwMzAzMDYkbzkkZzEkdDE3ODAwMzY2NzQkajYwJGwwJGgw)
Review our benefits (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/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.
Once the job opportunity announcemen
Review our benefits (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/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.
Once the job opportunity announcemen
