What are the responsibilities and job description for the Attorney Adviser (General) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Hiring Organization
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hiring Office
Administrative Law Judges
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
H-DEA-26-12840181-DE-DJ
Location:
700 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202 - United States
Application Deadline:
Monday, December 8, 2025
About the Office
This position is located in the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), in Arlington, Virginia. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) OALJ, under the administrative supervision of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, conducts adjudicatory hearings throughout the United States in formal, contested, often complex administrative proceedings which arise under the Controlled Substances Act.
The litigations are frequently complex, highly contested, and often subject to demanding time constraints.
Job Description
In conformity with the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. 551, et. seq. as well as the Controlled Substances Act and its attendant regulations, the incumbent is required to perform legal analysis, legal research, and legal writing as an Attorney Advisor/Law Clerk to an Administrative Law Judge and serve as the primary court room clerk during formal hearing sessions. Litigation issues include registration and controlled substance scheduling issues and involve the interpretation and application of federal and state law.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
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 1-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; 5) demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment; and 6) experience as a law clerk or in administrative law preferred but not required.
Specific grade level requirements:
GS-12: At least 1-year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience.
GS-13: At least 2-year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience.
Application Process
All applicants will have to apply through USA Staffing: Vacancy Announcement Number: H-DEA-26-12840181-DE-DJ
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)
3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account, or your application will be incomplete.
Required for ALL Applicants
Cover letter describing your interest in the position.
Resume - (not to exceed two pages) showing applicant's name, email address, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed.
Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
Law School Transcripts - Submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Proof of current and active bar association membership
SF-50 (If Applicable) - SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, 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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Salary
GS 12 $101,401.00 - $131,826.00 and GS 13 $120,579.00 - $156,755.00 includes locality pay
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hiring Office
Administrative Law Judges
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
H-DEA-26-12840181-DE-DJ
Location:
700 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202 - United States
Application Deadline:
Monday, December 8, 2025
About the Office
This position is located in the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), in Arlington, Virginia. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) OALJ, under the administrative supervision of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, conducts adjudicatory hearings throughout the United States in formal, contested, often complex administrative proceedings which arise under the Controlled Substances Act.
The litigations are frequently complex, highly contested, and often subject to demanding time constraints.
Job Description
In conformity with the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. 551, et. seq. as well as the Controlled Substances Act and its attendant regulations, the incumbent is required to perform legal analysis, legal research, and legal writing as an Attorney Advisor/Law Clerk to an Administrative Law Judge and serve as the primary court room clerk during formal hearing sessions. Litigation issues include registration and controlled substance scheduling issues and involve the interpretation and application of federal and state law.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
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 1-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; 5) demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment; and 6) experience as a law clerk or in administrative law preferred but not required.
Specific grade level requirements:
GS-12: At least 1-year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience.
GS-13: At least 2-year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience.
Application Process
All applicants will have to apply through USA Staffing: Vacancy Announcement Number: H-DEA-26-12840181-DE-DJ
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)
3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account, or your application will be incomplete.
Required for ALL Applicants
Cover letter describing your interest in the position.
Resume - (not to exceed two pages) showing applicant's name, email address, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed.
Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
Law School Transcripts - Submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Proof of current and active bar association membership
SF-50 (If Applicable) - SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, 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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Salary
GS 12 $101,401.00 - $131,826.00 and GS 13 $120,579.00 - $156,755.00 includes locality pay
Salary : $120,579 - $156,755
