Legal Careers
Trial Attorney
The Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) supervises and has responsibility for enforcing federal statutes pertaining to narcotic drugs and other controlled substances. The section has direct litigation responsibilities in significant drug and narco-terrorism investigations and prosecutions targeting national and international narcotics trafficking and money laundering organizations. This position is located in the Litigation Unit and requires a three year commitment to NDDS.
Litigation Unit attorneys work with federal law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and prosecute the most significant national and international drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the world. Litigation Unit attorneys prosecute major transnational narcotic traffickers and money launderers in the U.S. courts, using evidence gathered by U.S. federal agents and foreign law enforcement officials both domestically and abroad.
NDDS is recruiting an experienced, motivated individual who is seeking to join a dedicated group committed to serving our country in this important mission. NDDS seeks an individual capable of working closely with both U.S. and other international law enforcement authorities to investigate and charge these traffickers, and who possesses the experience and confidence to try them in the U.S. Federal Courts. The incumbent independently directs complex investigations, drafts requests for foreign obtained evidence, provisional arrests and extraditions, and prepares and conducts trials, including all pre and post-trial litigation.
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 Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking a qualified, experienced trial attorney in the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Litigation Unit (NDDS) located in Washington, D.C.
As a Trial Attorney, the incumbent:
- Manages complex narcotics investigations and money laundering prosecutions brought in the federal courts in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States;
- Utilizes a myriad of sophisticated techniques to pursue often cutting edge investigations against multifaceted transnational criminal organizations;
- Obtains and incorporates evidence acquired overseas by U.S. and foreign law enforcement;
- Makes charging decisions and proposes dispositions with regard to assigned cases;
- Researches and drafts all legal pleadings and is prepared to try cases in federal court.
- Investigates and pursues asset forfeiture related to illicit narcotics, narco-terrorism, and money laundering;
- Advises federal agents and Assistant U.S. Attorneys on complicated questions of law and Departmental policy;
- Oversees and helps to coordinate the preparation and litigation assignments of paralegals and clerical personnel; and
- Participates in outreach and training conducted by NDDS trial attorneys throughout the United States and abroad.
Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
Grade Specific Qualifications:
- To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least three (3) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
- To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in supporting, litigating, and supervising criminal cases in federal or state courts;
- Experience with complex investigations and the use of legal process (such as subpoenas and wiretap orders), especially in gathering electronic evidence;
- Jury trial experience;
- Ability to communicate clearly through well-organized and accurately written documents;
- Ability to perform cogent and correct legal analysis on a variety of contentious and complex substantive issues;
- Ability to provide legal advice to others;
- Spanish or Chinese language proficiency;
- Experience with CIPA litigation;
- Experience with international investigations or prosecutions.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. A list of eligible candidates will be referred to the hiring managers every two weeks during the open period of the announcement. If you are interested
in applying, it is recommended that you do so early, as the vacancy may close prior to the advertised date if selections are made.
The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
Please submit your application through USAJOBS. The list of required documents can be found in the USAJobs
announcement.
1. If you do not already have an account, please create a USAjobs account before applying Create an Account. You will be
able to upload your resume and supporting documents and complete your profile prior to applying.
2. Once you have an account, apply to the USAjobs vacancy: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/532574300
The salary range for this position is $117,191 – $166,500 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM’s Web page at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2019/….
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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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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.