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Attorney Advisor (Managing Attorney)


Job Location:

Washington, DC - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 169279 - 169279
Posted: 6 October 2026 (4 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

The VCF is administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General with operational assistance provided by the Civil Division Torts Branch and provides compensation for physical harm or death caused by the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks or the debris removal efforts in the immediate aftermath. The VCF compensates individuals (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who were present at one of the three crash sites or in the VCF New York City Exposure Zone.


Duties

The Managing Attorney is responsible for implementing the strategic direction and administrative functioning of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Torts Branch Civil Division Department of Justice. The incumbent reports to and functions as the principal legal and administrative advisor to the VCF Special Master. The duties are heavily focused on organizational management advising the Special Master on the development and implementation of strategic priorities and program-wide improvements as well as high level problem solving. The incumbent handles a wide array of difficult and complex legal and other issues pertaining to the administration of a victim compensation program and as such must be able to work with minimal supervision and superior executive/administrative skills.

As a Attorney Advisor (Managing Attorney) GSyour typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Leading strategic initiatives on behalf of the Special Master integrating legal operational policy and organizational priorities in alignment with the Special Masters objectives and directives;
  • Establishing performance measures in alignment with HRD and other OPM directives evaluating organizational effectiveness and recommending corrective actions;
  • Managing diverse and high-priority projects or tasks assigned directly by the Special Master;
  • Serving as General Counsel and Advisor. Providing authoritative counsel to the Special Master on highly sensitive policy operational or resource-allocation matters. Provides legal advice/input on statutory legal and regulatory issues.

Requirements
Conditions of employment
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing
  • Selective Service Registration is required as applicable
  • May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
  • It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
  • Financial Disclosure: If selected you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
Qualifications

Interested applicants must possess a J.D. or equivalent degree be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State territory of the United States or the District of Columbia and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

You must have a minimum of 4 years post-JD legal experience to qualify for the GS-15. Examples of qualifying experience described above include: a broad background of experience and knowledge in legal issues organizational performance and administrative/supervisory management of attorneys. Experience solving complex organizational challenges in collaboration with a leadership team; developing and implementing policies procedures systems and/or controls to support program/project implementation. Experience leading implementation of new policies and procedures. Ability to work effectively with legal and non-legal staff. Excellent organizational and collaboration skills.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants should reflect excellent analytical verbal presentation and writing skills working with the highest degree of independence and initiative. This role requires a high level of discretion and professionalism. Background in compensation programs victim services trauma-informed practices and organizational/technological system transformation projects is a plus. Candidates with at least 7 years of experience preferred.

Applicants should have excellent writing negotiation and interpersonal skills; exhibit good judgment and have experience in trial work. Judicial clerkship experience is desirable.

Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284 you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education

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 this criteria see .

OR

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above 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 timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans preference (VP) you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your order to determine your eligibility you can find additional information at: is no formal rating system for applying veterans preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however the Department of Justice considers veterans preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g. the DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the point system is not used per se applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15 Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website a copy of SF 15 which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).

DOJ EEO Statement/Policy:
Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to and reference Federal Career Opportunities in the subject line. Additional information is found at:
.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at:
.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by
law the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalffrom inquiring about an applicants criminal history record either in writing or orally before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the 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.

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.


Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority