Summary This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administrator (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel. This position primary purpose is to provide legal advice and support to DEA management and field offices worldwide. CC attorneys coordinate with DEA investigative personnel, provide legal training, and respond to requests for assistance from DEA Division Counsel. Department of Justice (DOJ) agencies post experienced attorney job announcements on the DOJ Careers page. Responsibilities The Strategic Programs Section (SPS) is comprised of attorneys, Special Agent Attorneys, and technical support staff, who provide a wide range of support to meet DEA's operational needs. The purpose of SPS is to focus on some of DEA's most prevalent and visible programs, and to facilitate: - The mitigation of legal risks to the agency and its personnel through thoughtful and creative legal guidance. - DEA personnel receiving thorough and detailed entry level and in-service training. - Proper coordination and communication both within DEA and externally with other enforcement and regulatory agencies. In addition, the Use of Force Unit has Special Agent Attorneys within the Section who instruct at Basic Agent, Basic Intelligence Research Specialist, Basic Diversion Investigator, Basic Forensic Chemist, Group Supervisor Schools, and at numerous other courses conducted at the Academy. Special Agent Attorneys: Perform legal reviews of lesson plans for the entire Office of Training. This Unit does ongoing analysis of Agency priorities or changes in the law to determine the need for new or updated legal training. Conduct research in all facets of drug law enforcement operations. Research development of programs of instruction, lesson plans, evaluations, tests, and written legal materials produced by the Attorney/Instructor focus on the legal issues related to the operational needs of DEA personnel. Research legal issues related to criminal investigations, intelligence, forensics, and diversion prevention. Conduct studies and evaluations of all instruction required in the DEA training programs in order to assist in developing the appropriate legal curriculum for courses of study related to criminal investigations, intelligence, forensics, and diversion prevention. Establish, develop, and maintain professional relationships with other attorneys and experts in DEA and other agencies within the areas of DEA training programs in order to remain informed regarding the nature of emerging or current legal issues related to criminal investigations, intelligence, forensics, and diversion prevention. Conduct presentations, briefings, lectures and other legal training programs both at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and in the field. Conduct the primary legal training during the basic training programs at the DEA Training Academy in addition to conducting advanced training in various legal topics pertaining to the counterdrug mission. Coordinate, conduct, and participate in moot court exercises at the DEA Training Academy and in the field, as necessary, and work with members of the DEA Training Academy staff in constructing scenarios suitable for later use as the basis for moot court exercises. Coordinate the participation of other attorneys assisting in the playing of the roles of prosecutor, defense counsel, and judge in moot court exercises. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Five (5) or more years of Law Enforcement and/or criminal investigations background is required. All applicants must be an active member of a bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) and possess: 1) a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and have at least 5-year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience; 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; and 5) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 5 or more years of post J.D. legal experience in law enforcement operations or use of force, criminal or civil litigation, and/or legal instruction or course development. Education A J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see www.ed.gov. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Additional Information All applicants for employment with DEA must possess and maintain the highest levels of character and conduct. DEA will evaluate applicants' qualifications based on these qualities. Once a conditional offer is made, DEA will conduct a continuous evaluation of information, as it is obtained, to ensure that the prospective employees with DEA meet the agency-specific qualifications in the areas of character and conduct. To this end, an unfavorable decision in any of the areas that follow will be deemed as disqualifying: Drug Policy Requirements (as specified in this announcement), Credit History, Candor and Honesty, Work History, History with the Law, and other qualities that would detract from the integrity and efficiency of the DEA. Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. Please notify this office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
