Legal Careers
Deputy Assistant Attorney General
The Criminal Division (CRM) enforces and supervises the application of all federal criminal laws except those specifically assigned to other divisions. The Division and the 93 U.S. Attorneys have the responsibility for overseeing the prosecution of criminal matters under more than 900 statutes. Criminal Division attorneys prosecute many nationally significant cases. In addition to its robust litigation responsibilities, the Division formulates and implements criminal enforcement policy and provides advice and assistance to prosecutors and investigators around the country. Among other things, the Criminal Division advises the Attorney General, Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, and the White House on matters of criminal law; provides legal advice and assistance to federal prosecutors and investigative agencies; and coordinates national and international law enforcement actions.
This position is one of six Deputy Assistant Attorneys General in the Criminal Division, and is on the immediate staff of the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in charge of the Division. The incumbent manages and supervises the affairs and business of the Criminal Division under the direction of the AAG and the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General. The incumbent also acts as consultant and advisor on those questions of major policy and matters that require the personal attention of the AAG. He/she is also responsible for the direct supervision of assigned Division components, including the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
The Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) is responsible for:
- Overseeing the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, which provides centralized management for the Department’s asset recovery program and managerial direction to the Department’s components prosecuting money laundering-related offenses and engaging in asset forfeiture actions.
- Overseeing the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, which investigates and prosecutes priority national and international drug trafficking groups and provides sound legal, strategic, and policy guidance to other Department components on narcotics issues.
- Providing advice and counsel to the AAG on sensitive matters before the Criminal Division.
- Playing an active role in policy formulation, negotiations involving the most difficult and precedent-setting cases falling within his/her jurisdiction, and the investigation and prosecution of cases under his/her supervision. Providing legal guidance that reflects a thorough knowledge of highly specialized areas.
- Analyzing and reviewing proposed or pending legislation for possible impact on the work of the Criminal Division’s Sections/Offices.
- Representing the AAG in matters relating to designated program areas, on various interdepartmental committees or activities, and with members of Congress and their staffs. Maintaining close and personal relationships with other investigative agencies, in particular in relation to cases under consideration for prosecution.
- Serving as an advocate for the financial, human, and technical resource allocations to the Sections/Offices under his/her leadership. Working closely with responsible Sections/Offices to ensure that resource enhancements necessary for proposed priorities are identified.
Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) in good standing and have at least 5 years post-J.D. experience. Applicants must also have a high level of management/supervisory experience.
Applicants must submit a resume and a separate narrative statement/response that addresses each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification factors related to this position as well as the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) related to all positions in the Senior Executive Service.
OPM’s Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications can assist you in writing an effective SES application. In particular, please note the Challenge-Context-Action-Result Model that is recommended and very helpful when drafting ECQ narrative responses. The Guide is available on OPM’s Website at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/guidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf.
Professional/Technical Requirements:
- Significant experience in supervising the development and prosecution of Federal criminal cases and reviewing the work product of attorneys and prosecutors;
- Familiarity with Federal regulatory and investigatory agencies, on-going programs, and key national goals and priorities relating to criminal law enforcement;
- Significant experience establishing and maintaining harmonious relationships with the public, members of Congress, Federal officials, and foreign partners; and
- Significant experience formulating and implementing policies dealing with complex legal issues.
Candidates will be evaluated on the mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements identified above based on their total background, i.e., education, training, self-development, awards, outside activities, performance appraisal, and work history. If candidates are found to possess all technical requirements, they will then be evaluated based on the Executive Core Qualifications as established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, outlined below.
Executive/Managerial Requirements:
ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE. This core qualification encompasses the ability to develop and implement an organizational vision, which integrates key national and program goals, priorities, values, and other factors. Inherent to it is the ability to balance change and continuity, to continually strive to improve customer service and program performance within the basic Government framework, to create a work environment that encourages creative thinking, and to maintain focus, intensity and persistence, even under adversity.
- Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, Continual Learning, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Service Motivation, Strategic Thinking, Vision
ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the ability to design and implement strategies, which maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.
- Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Cultural Awareness, Integrity/Honesty, Team Building
ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. This core qualification stresses accountability and continuous improvement. It includes the ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of programs and policies
- Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility
ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to acquire and administer human, financial, material, and information resources in a manner which instills public trust and accomplishes the organization’s mission, and to use new technology to enhance decision making.
- Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Technology Management, Human Resources Management
ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. This core qualification involves the ability to explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. It also involves the ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations, and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.
- Leadership Competencies: Influencing/Negotiating, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Partnering, Political Savvy, Written Communication
All applications (including mailed applications) must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on the closing date of Thursday, September 27, 2018.
To receive consideration, applicants must submit:
- A resume.
- A separate statement addressing each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements.
- A separate statement addressing each ECQ that describes your managerial experience. While individuals who are current or former career SES members (approved by OPM and have completed an initial probationary period) need not submit an Executive Core Qualifications statement, they are required to provide an SF-50 or SES certificate to demonstrate their current or prior service. Otherwise, the absence of ECQs will be identified as a failure to comply with the requirements of the vacancy. Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- If you are a current or recent Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) and a performance appraisal issued within the past 12 months, or if none exists, please include a statement to that effect.
**Preference is to receive an application via e-mail at
SES.CRMJOBS@USDOJ.GOV.
Applications being mailed should be sent to:
Department of Justice/Criminal Division
1331 F Street, NW
Attn: Jennifer Chapman
HR Operations
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20530
*As all incoming U.S. mail must be processed at a remote facility prior to final delivery, to avoid delay in receipt, it is highly recommended that applicants use Federal Express.
For additional information, please contact:
Contact: Jennifer Chapman
Contact Phone: 202-616-0363
E-Mail: SES.CRMJOBS@USDOJ.GOV
$126,148-$189,600. SES pay is determined within the pay range, commensurate with experience, superior leadership qualifications, and/or other competencies consistent with the agency mission, contingent on Department pay-setting rules.
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Department Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans: 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 include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. 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 required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. 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.