Closing Date: 10th August, 2026
Description:
Summary:This position is located in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program Legal Counsel. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.
Duties:
The duties and responsibilities for a GS- 0905-15 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
PSOB Law and Regulations
Addresses difficult legal issues in providing legal counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, the BJA Director, the program's Legal Counsel and many other stakeholders. Develops materials that justify the program's policies and procedures. Develops decisions, reports, briefs, opinions and other products linked to difficult legal issues in a specialty area affecting a significant segment of public interest. Drafts bills and regulations and prepares complete reports on changes in existing regulations pertaining to PSOB legal matters. Reviews proposed legislation and regulations to determine impact on the PSOB program and drafts memoranda and guidance regarding their impact. Makes recommendations based on the comments of operating organizations, personal program knowledge, awareness of the legal implications of proposed legislation and knowledge of it. Proposes alternative language and policy changes as warranted.
PSOB Operations
Independently and professionally conducts legal review of PSOB claims. Evaluates evidence and legal arguments, which may include medical evidence and expert opinions; line-of-duty and causation documentation; employment, incident, and death/disability records; statutory and regulatory standards under the PSOB Act; and arguments submitted by the claimant. Renders timely determinations and issues final decisions. Upon determining a claim, files a notice of the same for delivery to the claimant, specifying the factual findings and legal conclusions that support the decision. Trains PSOB legal personnel. Reviews and edits the work product of other legal personnel assigned to the PSOB program, ensuring legal and factual accuracy and program consistency. Performs legal research in connection with issues of higher complexity that arise in particular claims and advises on federal laws, regulations, rules and policies of the Department and other federal agencies, opinions of OJP's General Counsel, the common law, administrative law and state laws. Prepares and renders legal advice for claims before the program. Recommends policies and develops procedures that implement the PSOB Act.
Other Position Requirements: Requires admission and current/ongoing membership in a state bar.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
To qualify for the position of PSOB Attorney Advisor, at GS-0905-15, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 08/10/2026.
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:
Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
Additional Information:
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:
Addresses difficult legal issues in providing legal counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, the BJA Director, the program's Legal Counsel and many other stakeholders. Develops materials that justify the program's policies and procedures. Develops decisions, reports, briefs, opinions and other products linked to difficult legal issues in a specialty area affecting a significant segment of public interest. Drafts bills and regulations and prepares complete reports on changes in existing regulations pertaining to PSOB legal matters. Reviews proposed legislation and regulations to determine impact on the PSOB program and drafts memoranda and guidance regarding their impact. Makes recommendations based on the comments of operating organizations, personal program knowledge, awareness of the legal implications of proposed legislation and knowledge of it. Proposes alternative language and policy changes as warranted.
PSOB Operations
Independently and professionally conducts legal review of PSOB claims. Evaluates evidence and legal arguments, which may include medical evidence and expert opinions; line-of-duty and causation documentation; employment, incident, and death/disability records; statutory and regulatory standards under the PSOB Act; and arguments submitted by the claimant. Renders timely determinations and issues final decisions. Upon determining a claim, files a notice of the same for delivery to the claimant, specifying the factual findings and legal conclusions that support the decision. Trains PSOB legal personnel. Reviews and edits the work product of other legal personnel assigned to the PSOB program, ensuring legal and factual accuracy and program consistency. Performs legal research in connection with issues of higher complexity that arise in particular claims and advises on federal laws, regulations, rules and policies of the Department and other federal agencies, opinions of OJP's General Counsel, the common law, administrative law and state laws. Prepares and renders legal advice for claims before the program. Recommends policies and develops procedures that implement the PSOB Act.
Other Position Requirements: Requires admission and current/ongoing membership in a state bar.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
- Security Requirements: Non-Sensitive/High Risk
- This appointment is subject to completion of a 2-year trial period.
- This position requires active bar membership (any jurisdiction) in good standing.
Qualifications:
To qualify for the position of PSOB Attorney Advisor, at GS-0905-15, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
- Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
- Be an active member of the bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).
- Have a minimum of four (4) years of post J.D./LL.B legal experience, which must have been in at least one of the following areas:
- In handling legal matters involving programs such as those providing disability, death, and education benefits, or other complex programs governed by law, regulation and procedures;
- In handling Torts, insurance claims, workers' compensation or similar matters; or
- Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB).
You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 08/10/2026.
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:
Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
Additional Information:
- Other Position Requirements: Requires admission to the bar and active license in at least one jurisdiction. Requires professional knowledge of the statutes, orders, rules and regulations applicable to the adjudication of federal claims. Requires expertise in how to work in partnership with public safety officers and national public safety organizations or similar organizations. Requires knowledge of the mission, structure and overall responsibilities of public safety agencies at the state and local levels.
- OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
- 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
- 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
- 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 human.resources@usdoj.gov. 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*w7gycy*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODUyMjI5NTckbzE5JGcxJHQxNzg1MjIzNDkzJGo1MSRsMCRoMA..)
Review our benefits (https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits?_gl=1*w7gycy*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODUyMjI5NTckbzE5JGcxJHQxNzg1MjIzNDkzJGo1MSRsMCRoMA..)
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.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the eligibilities and qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are found to be basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation wi
Review our benefits (https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits?_gl=1*w7gycy*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODUyMjI5NTckbzE5JGcxJHQxNzg1MjIzNDkzJGo1MSRsMCRoMA..)
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.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the eligibilities and qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are found to be basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation wi
