Attorney Advisor, GS-905-13/14/15 National Security Division (NSD)

The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) efforts in carrying out its core mission of combating terrorism and protecting national security. NSD is responsible for supervising the enforcement of all federal criminal laws related to counterterrorism and counterespionage, except those specifically assigned to other divisions. NSD also serves as the Department of Justice’s liaison to the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) and represents the government and the USIC before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. NSD advises the Attorney General regarding all matters of national security policy.

The Foreign Investment Review Section (FIRS) is responsible for three primary portfolios of work on behalf of the DOJ. First, FIRS manages the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (informally known as Team Telecom) on behalf of its Chair, the Attorney General. Team Telecom considers the law enforcement, national security, and public safety implications of applications for licenses from the Federal Communications Commission involving a threshold percentage of foreign ownership or control. Second, FIRS represents DOJ on the staff of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency body statutorily required to review certain transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person, as well as certain other transactions, in order to determine the effect of such investments on the national security of the United States. Third, FIRS monitors compliance with agreements or orders that mitigate concerns arising from prior CFIUS or Team Telecom cases or other related national security programs and, when necessary, undertakes enforcement actions when parties fail to meet their compliance obligations.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Attorneys in FIRS handle a wide range of complex and highly sensitive matters involving counterintelligence, technology, law, and policy. Specifically, FIRS attorneys 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 concerns arising from foreign acquisitions of or investment in U.S. businesses as well as concerns arising from foreign participation in the domestic telecommunications infrastructure. Such guidance involves written recommendations and may also include the drafting and negotiation of national security agreements to mitigate national security risks arising from transactions and, in rare circumstances, the drafting of recommendations by CFIUS to the President of the United States. In addition to the review of matters before CFIUS, FIRS attorneys also review FCC license applications to determine whether a proposed communications provider that is under foreign ownership, control, and/or influence poses such a risk to law enforcement or national security that it must either be mitigated through imposition of mitigating measures or opposed altogether. When DOJ has adopted mitigating measures, such as national security agreements, between DOJ and foreign-owned businesses, FIRS attorneys are also responsible for supervising the subsequent compliance with these agreements and, when necessary, the enforcement of those compliance agreements. An attorney selected under this announcement may be required to work under the supervision of the Deputy Chief for Compliance and Enforcement, the Deputy Chief for Foreign Investment, or the Deputy Chief for Telecom at any point during the attorney’s tenure. FIRS’s work is often done in coordination with other DOJ components, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Legal Counsel, and the Office of Legal Policy, as well as other departments and agencies, such as the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, Department of Commerce, Department of State, and the Executive Office of the President.

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 up 1.5 or more years at the GS-13; 2.5 or more years at the GS-14; and 4 or more years at the GS-15 level. Applicants must also have superior academic credentials, writing and analytical skills. Applicants must also be able to qualify for the highest and most sensitive security clearances. While not a requirement, applicants with past experience in civil litigation are asked to highlight that experience in particular in their cover letters. 

(GS-13) $103,690- $134,798 per annum; (GS-14) $122,530- $159,286 per annum; (GS-15) $144,128- $172,500 per annum

Periodic travel will be required.

To apply for an Attorney Advisor position with FIRS, please submit a resume and a cover letter (highlighting your relevant experience), a writing sample (no longer than 15 pages and that exhibits your own written advocacy skills), and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal (if available), to:

Marilyn Shaifer

[email protected]

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

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