What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Executive Leader/General Counsel position at US National Security Agency/Central Security Service?

Summary

This position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the National Security Agency ("NSA" or "Agency"). NSA is a component of the Department of War and NSA/OGC is part of the Defense Legal Service Agency (DLSA). The General Counsel (GC) of the Department of War (DoW) serves as the chief legal officer of DOW. For more information, please visit:

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Duties

The NSA GC is the Agency's chief legal officer (overseeing an office of approximately 150 attorneys and support staff) and the final legal authority within NSA on all matters arising within or referred to NSA. The NSA GC consults regularly with the DoW Office of General Counsel and is responsible for legal oversight of all NSA activities to ensure that NSA operations are lawfully conducted. The GC routinely interacts with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Justice, other federal agencies, and GCs of other elements of the Intelligence Community regarding legal issues that involve Intelligence Community equities and cybersecurity matters. In addition, given Congress' oversight role, the GC is often called upon to interact with Congressional committee counsel.

The NSA GC is an integral part of the Director of the National Security Agency's senior leadership team and a key advisor to NSA leadership at all levels. The NSA GC also serves as the public legal face for the Agency and, as such, the GC is often invited to speak at public events and to participate in public legal panels.

Specific Duties:

a. Interpret all statutes, Presidential Directives, and Executive and Legislative Branch regulations, and provide legal advice and counsel to the Director and Senior Leadership Team with respect to the authorities for NSA activities and conditions and restrictions thereon.

b. Provide legal advice so all of the Agency's assigned responsibilities can be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and applicable statutes, Executive Orders, and implementing regulations.

c. Advise on all matters relating to the collection, retention, processing, and dissemination of signals intelligence information carried out by NSA or as part of the unified organization for signals intelligence activities that the Director of NSA has established.

d. Advise on all matters related to NSA's cybersecurity mission to include responsibilities that arise under National Security Directive 42 and applicable laws and policy directives.

e. Oversee all other legal services performed within the NSA to include acquisition, human resources, and other enabling functions as well as determining the adherence by attorneys to appropriate professional standards, subject to DOD Instruction

f. Keep the DoW GC currently apprised of all significant legal issues arising from NSA activities.

g. Represent the Agency on legal and public policy matters and serve as a liaison to other departments/agencies and, as appropriate, the Congress.

h. Provide legal reviews of NSA's support to U.S. Cyber Command, with particular emphasis on whether all such NSA support is properly authorized.

i. Conduct NSA's legislative initiative program, which may include drafting proposed legislation, developing the Agency's position on pending legislation and Executive Orders, preparing reports to Congress on legislative proposals, and advising on implementation of new statutes. Communicate directly with DoW OGC, other government agencies, and congressional committee staffs and members of Congress on legislative proposals, as appropriate.

j. Ensure that NSA leadership is informed of significant developments in the law, important judicial, administrative, or other decisions affecting the NSA enterprise, its people, or its resources.

k. Build partnerships with the public and private sectors and within the national security community to advance mission objectives.

l. Provide legal support to the Director, NSA. m. Perform such other duties as the DoW GC, PDGC, or DGC/DoW OGC may prescribe.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school. In addition, the applicant must be able to demonstrate prior to appointment that he/she is permitted to engage in the active practice of law in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Active status must be maintained in at least one state or other jurisdiction during the course of employment.

Evaluation Criteria:

Applicants must meet all the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQs). Applicants must submit a resume, no longer than two pages, reflecting demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs. If your resume exceeds two pages or does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. Fully qualified applicants will be reviewed by a Panel.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new entrants into the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service (DISES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the six mandatory ECQs.

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Education

The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school.

Additional information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Services (DISES) Tier 3 - Up to $228,000

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position.

Appointment Term: Permanent

Reporting Date: As Soon As Possible

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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Required Documents

The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction , Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit:

Agency contact information

NSA POC

Phone

Address

NSA External Hiring

9800 Savage Road

Fort Meade, MD 20755

US

Next steps

To apply, please visit:

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

01/07/2026 to 01/20/2026

Salary

$151,661 to - $228,000 per year

Pay scale & grade

ES 3

Location

Few vacancies in the following location:

Fort Meade, MD

Remote job

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Not required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Senior Executive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

0132 Intelligence

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

National security

Financial disclosure

Yes

Bargaining unit status

Announcement number

1252641

Control number

Salary : $151,661 - $228,000

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