Hiring Organization
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hiring Office
Office of Chief Counsel
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
H-DEA-26-12976994-DE-DJ
Location:
317 S. 16th St.
St Louis, MO 63103 - United States
Application Deadline:
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
About the Office
This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel (CC) is seeking an attorney to work as Division Counsel (DC) for the St. Louis Division in St. Louis, MO.
The DEA is our country's leading organization in charge of enforcing the controlled substance laws of the United States. The DEA provides employees with an exciting career whether supporting missions at home or abroad. Our employees make a difference by working together as a team to keep Americans safe from dangerous drugs and those who traffic them.
Job Description
As Division Counsel for the St. Louis Division, you will serve as the principal legal advisor to Division personnel in all aspects of DEA operations covering criminal, civil, and administrative law. This includes providing advice concerning search and seizure, electronic surveillance, investigative methods and techniques, interrogation, evidence, discovery, personnel and employment issues, asset forfeiture, fiscal law, policy guidance and compliance, and international issues.
Typical assignments may include:
Providing advice, opinions, and guidance to the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) and members of the Division leadership team on legal issues.
Working with federal and state prosecutors, and federal, state and local law enforcement partners to further DEA's mission.
Providing support in criminal, civil, and administrative litigation.
Preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and memorandum opinions.
Training DEA personnel in complex issues of law and policy.
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); 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; 5) a demonstrated ability to learn and master new areas of the law; and 6) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Ten (10) years of legal experience is strongly preferred.
To qualify for the GS-15 Grade level:
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: ww.naces.org/members.php .
Application Process
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.
All applicants will have to apply through USAJOBS: Vacancy Announcement Number: H-DEA-26-12976994-DE-DJ
Required for all Applicants
Resume - must be no more than two pages in length; resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Resume should include applicants' name, email address, phone number, 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. Education/Certification/Licensure when relevant or required for position. See Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information.
Transcripts: An unofficial transcript containing a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award. Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day.
Writing Sample: A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
Proof of current and active Bar Association Membership.
Cover Letter
SF-50 (If Applicable) - SF50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency.
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 15 - $151,699.00 to $197,200.00 includes locality.
