Legal Careers
Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Deputy Chief), GS-905-15
NSD’s Foreign Investment Review Section (FIRS) is responsible for DOJ’s work to protect national security in foreign investments in the United States, telecommunications, and the information and communications technology and services (ICTS) supply chain:
- Foreign investment. FIRS serves as DOJ’s representative on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency group that reviews foreign investments in, acquisitions of, and other transactions involving U.S. companies to determine the transaction’s effects on national security.
- Telecommunications. FIRS carries out the Attorney General’s responsibilities as Chair of the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (also known as Team Telecom), an interagency group that provides recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on whether granting particular telecommunications licenses and authorizations will pose national-security or law-enforcement risks.
- ICTS supply chain. FIRS works closely with and supports the Department of Commerce in exercising its authority under Executive Orders 13873 and 14034 to prohibit or otherwise regulate certain transactions involving information and communications technology and services (including connected software applications) connected to foreign adversaries that pose unacceptable risks to national security. FIRS also works with other similar bodies on related matters, such as the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) which is responsible for assessing national security risk in the U.S. Government’s own technology supply chain. FIRS regularly supports the FCC in administering the Covered List established under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act.
- Compliance and enforcement. FIRS develops, drafts, and negotiates National Security Agreements to mitigate national security risks, and monitors, supervises, and enforces the transaction parties’ compliance with their National Security Agreements with DOJ.
- Data Security. NSD is responsible for implementing a new regulatory program within the Department resulting from Executive Order 14117 on Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government Data by Countries of Concern issued by the President on February 28, 2024. The Executive Order delegates authority to the Attorney General under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to establish, implement, and administer, in consultation with other interagency partners, a targeted new regulatory program to address the national-security risks posed by access to Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data and U.S. Government-related data by countries of concern and persons subject to their jurisdiction. This new regulatory authority is a top priority for the Administration and the Department. As part of “ensuring strategic competitors cannot exploit foundational American and allied technologies, know-how, or data,” the 2022 National Security Strategy specifically highlighted the need to “pursue targeted new approaches” and “counter the exploitation of Americans’ sensitive data.” Likewise, the 2023 National Cyber Strategy emphasized that “securing personal data is a foundational aspect to protecting consumer privacy in a digital future” and underscored the Administration’s support for authorities that “provide strong protections for sensitive data like geolocation and health information.” This new regulatory authority will directly address these strategic goals by filling a significant gap in national security laws.
FIRS attorneys review and investigate transactions, identify and evaluate any national security risks, and make recommendations regarding these transactions to the Deputy Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and other senior leadership, and, in some circumstances, to the President of the United States.
In addition to this case-specific work, FIRS regularly handles a wide range of broader legal and policy issues at the intersection of sophisticated technology, national security, trade and investment, and intelligence, including through representing the Department in interagency committees led by the National Security Council. Because of the heavily interagency nature of both its case-specific and its broader legal and policy work, FIRS works closely with a variety of other DOJ components (including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Civil Division, Criminal Division, and Office of Legal Counsel); the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Intelligence Community; and other agencies including the Federal Communications Commission and the Departments of the Treasury, Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security, and State.
In these capacities, FIRS supports the mission of the National Security Division, which is to coordinate the Department's efforts in carrying out its top priority of preventing and combating terrorism and protecting the national security. NSD provides legal and policy advice on national security matters, litigates counterterrorism, counterespionage, and foreign intelligence surveillance matters, represents the government before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court and other federal trial and appellate courts and conducts oversight over Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) national security investigations and foreign intelligence collection.
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.
This vacancy announcement will be used to fill the Deputy Chief, Telecom and Supply Chain vacancy. This position will oversee the Telecom and Supply Chain Unit, which is responsible for chairing the Team Telecom interagency process that generates recommendations to the FCC on certain license and authorization applications within the deadlines and procedures established by Executive Order 13913, coordinating telecom legal and policy matters with interagency partners, and identifying and resolving novel legal issues related to the security of telecommunications infrastructure and services. The Telecom Unit also evaluates supply chain risks related to information and communications technology and services, for potential referral to the FASC (Federal Acquisition Security Council), as well as to the Department of Commerce under Executive Order 13873.
Under the direction of the Chief and Principal Deputy Chief, the Deputy Chief, Telecom and Supply Chain will be responsible for overseeing the work of attorneys and technical experts in the Telecom Unit. The attorneys in the Telecom Unit provide advice and guidance to DOJ leadership, including the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, the Intelligence Community, and other Executive Branch agencies on national security and law enforcement concerns arising from foreign presence in the domestic telecommunications infrastructure as well as concerns arising from foreign acquisitions of U.S. businesses in the telecommunications sector. Such guidance involves written analysis and may include the drafting and negotiation of national security agreements to mitigate national security risks arising from telecommunications licenses, or in some circumstances recommendations to deny or revoke a license. When DOJ has adopted mitigating measures, such as national security agreements between DOJ and foreign-owned businesses, Telecom Unit attorneys are also responsible for ongoing engagement with companies to monitor the subsequent compliance with those agreements. FIRS’s work is often done in coordination with other DOJ components, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Civil Division, as well as other departments and agencies, such as members of the Intelligence Community, and the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce, Department of State, and the Executive Office of the President.
The Deputy Chief, Telecom and Supply Chain will help establish program priorities, develop ongoing operating policies and guidelines, communicate policies and priorities, and determine and implement internal organization practices, training, and improvements as part of staff management. The Deputy Chief, Telecom and Supply Chain will also represent the Department in interagency policy meetings germane to telecom security law, policies, and practices, and serve as the first-line supervisor for cross-cutting telecom security matters. The Deputy Chief, Telecom and Supply Chain will also manage FIRS communications with senior Division leadership related to Telecom Unit matters.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, and have at least 5 years of post-J.D. professional experience to be qualified at the GS 15 level. Applicants must also have superior academic credentials, writing and analytic skills, and have significant experience in either national security or telecommunications law (preferably both). Experience leading an interagency regulatory process or significant experience with a relevant regulatory agency such as the Federal Communication Commission are desired qualifications. Applicants must also be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances.
To apply for the Deputy Chief position with FIRS, please submit a resume and a cover letter that highlights your relevant experience, with particular emphasis on the following areas:
Experience demonstrating the ability to research, orchestrate and conduct national security risk assessments, to include threat, vulnerability, and/or consequence regarding telecommunications and/or information and network technology.
Experience with the telecommunications sector, including but not limited to its technology, and other technical training or expertise.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to build coalitions successfully among stakeholders both to evaluate particular matters on a case-by-case basis and to address broader policy issues.
Ability to manage attorneys and other technical experts.
Ability to communicate legal, policy, and other issues clearly and persuasively to senior officials.
Please also submit a writing sample (no longer than 15 pages and exhibiting your own written advocacy skills) and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal to:
Applicants may send via electronic mail to FIRS.Application@usdoj.gov with the subject line “Deputy Chief Vacancy”
No telephone calls, please.
GS-15: $163,964 - $191,900 (per annum)
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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.
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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