Hiring Organization
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hiring Office
Office of Chief Counsel
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
H-DEA-26-12970390-DE-DJ
Location:
700 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202 - United States
Application Deadline:
Saturday, June 6, 2026
About the Office
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking attorneys to work in the Office of Chief Counsel (CC). CC headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia, and provides 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. They also prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, and memorandum opinions, appear at motions and evidentiary hearings, and provide other support in civil and administrative litigation. The Office of Chief Counsel works with federal and state prosecutors, and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to further DEA's mission.
The Department of Justice seeks to build and retain a workforce that shares our commitment to public service and welcomes interested applicants.
Job Description
The Diversion Law Section works with investigators across the country to bring administrative enforcement actions against individuals and companies in the pharmaceutical industry who handle controlled substances in a manner inconsistent with federal regulations; provides legal guidance relating to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); litigates complex matters in administrative court and coordinates parallel criminal and civil proceedings; provides legal guidance in the promulgation of regulations; reviews legislative proposals; and provides training to DEA personnel in this area of law. Attorneys in the Diversion Law Section may engage in litigation activities, legal review activities, or both.
For litigation attorneys, duties also include:
Representing the DEA in administrative hearings and civil litigation regarding license revocations, denials, suspensions, regulatory violations, or revocation of DEA Registrations for doctors, pharmacies, distributors, and manufacturers.
Providing legal advice on the enforcement of the CSA and the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act.
Working with DEA Special Agents, Diversion Investigators, federal/state law enforcement, and prosecutors on criminal, civil, and administrative cases.
Advising Diversion Investigators and Special Agents on civil and regulatory issues during active investigations and drafting charging documents.
For legal review attorneys, duties also include:
Serving as legal advisor on all issues related to the diversion of controlled substances and listed chemicals into illegitimate channels.
Advising DEA on its authorities under the CSA, including drug and chemical control, drug scheduling actions, and quotas.
Reviewing and providing legal advice on relevant legislation and agency policies.
Reviewing rules, regulations, and notices relating to the legitimate handling of controlled substances and listed chemicals, and evaluating them for compliance with the requirements of federal statutes including the CSA and the Administrative Procedure Act.
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 2-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.
Preferred Experience: Expertise in the Controlled Substances Act is preferred. For litigating attorneys, experience in litigation and regulatory compliance is highly preferred. For legal review attorneys, extensive knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act is required and knowledge of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) or training and experience in scientific areas such as biochemistry or pharmacology is highly desirable but not required.
To qualify for each GS Level:
- Applicants applying for the GS-13 must have 2 or more years of post J.D. legal experience
- Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 3 or more years of post J.D. legal experience
- Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. legal experience
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.
Application Process
Apply through USAJOBS - Vacancy Announcement No. H-DEA-26-12970390-DE-DJ
All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Required for ALL Applicants
Cover letter describing your interest in the position.
Resume - 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. (No more than 2 pages)
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): 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
Salary listed includes locality: (GS13: $121,785 – $158,322) (GS14: $143,913 – $187,093) (GS15: $169,279 - $197,200)
