Attorney Advisor

Summary

Who May Be Considered:

U.S. Citizens

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.

This is a Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

If interested, please email your resume and a legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) to: & reference "CISA OCC Attorney Advisor (Cybersecurity) - [Last Name]."
Learn more about this agency

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
04/10/2024 to 05/01/2024

Salary
$82,764 - $128,956 per year

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12

Location
1 vacancy in the following location:

Arlington, VA

Remote job
No

Telework eligible
Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed
No

Appointment type
Permanent -

Work schedule
Full-time -

Service
Excepted

Promotion potential
15

Job family (Series)
0905 Attorney

Supervisory status
No

Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Announcement number
CISA-OCC-12375974-24-KRV

Control number
786090100

This job is open to

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

Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens

Videos

Duties
Applicants who live within the local commuting area (i.e., a 50-mile or less radius from Glebe Road, Arlington VA (not driving distance)) are ineligible for local remote work and are expected to perform work onsite and may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy.

CISA Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) provides legal advice on a wide range of issues to all agency divisions and offices at headquarters and across the regional field offices. OCC works closely with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of the General Counsel Headquarters and other DHS component counsel and directly interacts with other federal agencies, state/local governments, international governments and private sector entities, in support of CISA's missions.

The primary purpose of the position is to serve as an Attorney Advisor in the CISA OCC's Cyber Law Division. The incumbent will conduct legal research and writing, review client work products, and represent the CISA Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) as part of client meetings, in support of a large variety of cybersecurity projects. Programmatic areas requiring support are likely to include: analyzing complex constitutional and statutory matters that bear directly on the execution of cybersecurity programs (e.g. Fourth Amendment, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Wiretap Act); negotiating agreements for information sharing and collaboration, as well as cybersecurity incident response; advising on authorities and other issues relating to the execution of CISA's mission to secure federal executive branch information systems and provide cybersecurity assistance to critical infrastructure owners and operators and other federal and non-federal entities.

Typical work assignments include:

The incumbent will provide direct legal support on cybersecurity law, including to CISA's Cybersecurity Division (CSD).

Provide advice, analyses, interpretations, guidance and other support to CISA and DHS officials on complex and sensitive legal and policy matters arising under CISA cybersecurity programs.

Perform legal analysis and research, to include preparing memoranda, opinions, public notices and other legal documents, necessary to achieve CISA's cybersecurity goals.

Draft or review correspondence, reports, memoranda, testimony, Federal Register notices, directives, legislation, guidance and other documents in support of CISA's cybersecurity goals for consistency with all applicable legal authorities and requirements.

Represent CISA and DHS in meetings and conferences with international representatives and representatives of other Executive branch agencies (including the Executive Office of the President, intelligence, law enforcement and Sector Risk Management Agencies), State and/or local government, industry, and the public as a subject matter expert on legal matters related to cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.

Engage in and advise on important legal and policy-making determinations that significantly affect CISA.

Serve as a legal expert within the agency, department, and government on matters related to cybersecurity, information sharing, national security, federal operations, and other related legal authorities.

Work with program officials and technical experts to design, implement and improve operational cybersecurity capabilities in accordance with evolving legal and policy requirements.

Advise agency and department offices on applicable statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, and other guidance related to cybersecurity and coordinating with other CISA and DHS attorneys with respect to other areas of law, including the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and other regulatory law issues, Privacy Act, Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Paperwork Reduction Act, privacy issues, civil rights and civil liberties, human capital and employee relations law, fiscal and procurement law, litigation, and congressional oversight and audits.

The successful candidate will have skills such as the following:

Strong research and writing skills

The desire to understand technology and its growing impact on the law and society

Outstanding collaborator

Entrepreneurial

Ability to look over the horizon

Strong experience in briefing senior leaders of an organization

Familiarity with interagency initiatives and the interagency process

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Selective Service - Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service see ;/li>

All Federal employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

This position has been identified as a drug testing designated position (TDP) for purposes of the CISA's Drug-Free Workplace Program. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illicit/illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment. A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.

You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Two-year probationary period may be required.

This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).

You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position, as well as annually.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-0905 Attorney series, you must meet the following basic requirement:

Be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or District of Columbia, and a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, you must also meet minimum qualifications for this position. To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required education and experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying as defined below, in the absence of a qualifying exception to the standard.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level, if you have:
EDUCATION: A first professional law degree - Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
AND
SUPERIOR LAW STUDENT WORK: Superior law student work or activities as demonstrated by ONE of the following:

Academic standing in the upper third of your law school's graduating class.

Work or achievement of significance on one of your law school's official law reviews or journals.

Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif, winning a moot court competition, or membership on the moot court team that represents your law school in competition with other law schools).

Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation.

Significant summer law office clerk experience.

Other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level, if you have:
EDUCATION:
A. A first professional law degree - Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
OR
B. A second professional law degree - Master of Laws (LL.M.).
AND
EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized professional legal experience or judicial clerkship at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent).

Note: Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in any of the following specializations: federal cybersecurity law or federal information technology law.

Note: Your experience must be commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of your background may be evidenced by the relatedness of your specialization.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education
NOTE: All applicants must provide a copy of their education transcripts & proof of bar membership upon request but prior to being provided a firm job offer. Please DO NOT submit transcripts or proof of bar membership in response to this announcement. They will be requested at a later date if the applicant is selected for further consideration. Failure to provide this information when requested will result in disqualification.

When requested, unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Education must be from an accredited 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.

Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or above.

Additional information

Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants currently in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.

This position does not confer eligibility for conversion to the competitive service.

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will NOT be paid.

Other incentives are NOT authorized.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 U.S.C. 7112(B)(6).

When entering a federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified applicants and employees with a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, unless to do so would create an undue hardship to the agency (29 CFR )). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, contact the CISA Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (OEDIA) by sending an email to with the subject line, "Reasonable Accommodation Request @ CISA." In the email itself, you must include your name, vacancy announcement number(s), and state your intent to seek a reasonable accommodation. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. For more information or inquiries, please contact the CISA Reasonable Accommodation Program at

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

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.

Review our 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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and based upon how well you meet the qualifications above.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply to attorney positions.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Homeland Security considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in a cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

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.

Review our 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.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.

NOTE: Please DO NOT submit transcripts or proof of bar membership in response to this announcement. They will be requested at a later date if the applicant is selected for further consideration. Failure to provide this information when requested will result in disqualification.

1. RESUME: At time of application ,your resume MUST show a detailed description of your job-related qualifications to include start/end dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for all jobs listed. For all Federal civilian service, include your pay plan/band, series, and grade (e.g., GS-0201-09). Be clear and specific when describing your work history as human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Do NOT include photographs, links to social media (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation. If included your resume will not be considered. Please view Resume & Application Tips.

2. COVER LETTER (OPTIONAL): Your cover letter will not be used to determine your qualifications but will be included with your resume if you are referred.

3. TRANSCRIPTS: Prior to receiving a tentative job offer, you will be asked to submit a copy of your law school transcript accredited by the American Bar Association. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, name of the educational institution, declared degree program, course title(s), credits completed, grade, date of completion, Grade Point Average (GPA), and date of degree conferral. If selected, an official transcript will be required.

4. BAR MEMBERSHIP: Prior to receiving a tentative job offer, you will be asked to submit proof of Bar Membership of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or District of Columbia.

5. WRITING SAMPLE: At time of application, please submit a legal writing sample (such as a brief, motion, or legal memorandum) not to exceed ten (10) pages in length, that reflects your own work.
6. OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Prior to receiving a tentative job offer, ( only submit if applicable ):

CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows the grade, step, tenure code "1" (Career) or "2" (Career-Conditional), and type of position occupied. Provide proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an Interchange Agreement. If applying for a higher grade, provide a SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade or promotion potential held (examples of appropriate SF-50s include appointment/conversion, with-in grade/range increases and promotion actions). NOTE: Pay adjustments and awards are NOT acceptable.

VETERAN DOCUMENTATION: Submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of active service, rank/grade, expected character of service (i.e., honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e., separation or retirement). NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If selected, a DD-214 must be provided prior to appointment.

10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you will need to submit a SF-15 and provide an official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating (NOTE: Your overall percentage must be clearly shown), and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.

CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL SCHEDULE A, SCHEDULE C, NON-CAREER SES OR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

Position title;

Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);

Agency; AND

Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

If you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, your application will be determined incomplete, and you will not be considered for a position.