SummaryThis position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Civil Rights. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.
DutiesHelp
The duties and responsibilities for a GS- 0905-13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
Senior Civil Rights Legal Counsel and Advisory Services- Responsible for highly complex and challenging legal issues that significantly expand or limit an agency's operations. Handles confidential and sensitive civil rights matters that span organizational boundaries and influence the agency's management and use of resources.
- Offers legal guidance to grant recipients to help them understand and comply with federal civil rights requirements, including nondiscrimination obligations, accessibility standards, and equitable service delivery.
- Manages civil rights compliance reviews, data analysis, document requests, and interviews to determine whether grantees adhere to federal nondiscrimination laws.
- Manages legal review of civil rights complaints filed with OCR, determines whether OCR has jurisdiction, assigns matters for investigation, and makes preliminary legal determinations.
Civil Rights Legal Analysis, Decision Drafting, and Regulatory Development- Monitors emerging judicial decisions, regulatory updates, and DOJ policy shifts; prepares legal analyses advising OJP leadership on their civil rights implications. Creates written guidance, briefing papers, FAQs, and training modules on civil rights compliance requirements for federal employees, grantees, and external partners.
- Handles highly complex and challenging civil rights issues involved in drafting, interpreting, or implementing laws, regulations, contracts, directives, rulings, opinions, and other legal documents. Reconciles competing interests by applying advanced, innovative, and independent legal reasoning.
Civil Rights Legal Oversight, High-Level Consultation, and Outreach- Handles cases and legal issues that can significantly expand or limit an agency's operations. Identifies when issues under consideration are so precedent-setting or sensitive that any recommendations must first be reviewed and approved by senior officials before being released.
- Provides briefings and presentations on civil rights law at seminars and other agency outreach events. Leads meetings and facilitates post-meeting question-and-answer sessions on civil rights issues.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- You must be a United States Citizen.
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
- Security Requirements: Non-Sensitive/High Risk
- This appointment is subject to completion of a 2-year trial period.
- This position requires active bar membership (any jurisdiction) in good standing.
QualificationsTo qualify for the position of Attorney Advisor, at GS-0905-13, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
- Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
- Be an active member of the bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).
- Have a minimum of one and a half (1.5) years of post J.D./LL.B legal experience, which must have been in at least one of the following areas:
- Interpreting and applying civil rights laws, regulations, and legal precedents to novel or evolving fact patterns; providing well-reasoned legal guidance to leadership, program offices, and external stakeholders; and preparing substantive legal analyses to support informed agency decision-making;
- Conducting civil rights compliance reviews by analyzing documentary evidence and data, coordinating information requests, interviewing grantee personnel, and assessing adherence to federal nondiscrimination laws; or
- Reviewing proposed grant programs, solicitations, and policy or program changes to ensure compliance with statutory civil rights requirements; coordinating with the Civil Rights Division on overlapping enforcement matters; and contributing to interagency investigations and referrals.
You
MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/12/2026.
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
EducationApplicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
Additional information- Other Position Requirements: Requires admission to the bar and active license in at least one jurisdiction. Requires professional knowledge of the statutes, orders, rules and regulations applicable to the adjudication of federal claims. Requires expertise in how to work in partnership with public safety officers and national public safety organizations or similar organizations. Requires knowledge of the mission, structure and overall responsibilities of public safety agencies at the state and local levels.
- OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
- 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
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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.
BenefitsHelp
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.
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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.
