The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is seeking an attorney to work in the Office of Chief Counsel (CC), at the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), in El Paso, TX. The attorney will serve as the Division Counsel and will be the primary legal advisor to the Director/Special Agent in Charge of EPIC.
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; and 5) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Have at least 1 year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. Five (5) years of legal experience is preferred, and experience in administrative law is also preferred but not required. Spanish proficiency preferred.
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. Providing support in civil and administrative litigation. Preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and memorandum opinions. Assisting in drafting and reviewing proposals to amend federal laws and regulations and responses to requests from Congress. Training DEA personnel in complex issues of law and policy. The attorney will have a particular focus on international/intelligence law matters, but will be responsible for providing advice and counsel concerning all legal matters and issues arising at EPIC, including substantive criminal law, information law, law enforcement technical collection programs, fiscal law questions, and Federal employment and personnel law issues, and assisting the United States Attorney's Offices and other elements of the executive branch on such legal issues related to drug enforcement. The attorney will provide legal, policy, and operational advice on criminal law issues raised by DEA foreign and domestic operations and coordinate interagency and international transactions, including drafting or reviewing memoranda of understanding between DEA and agencies of the Intelligence Community; elements of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, and Justice; the National Guard; state and local agencies; and foreign entities, among others. The attorney will also research and advise on intelligence, privacy, and other legal issues addressing, among other areas, the sharing of information with state, local, federal, and foreign law enforcement partners, agencies of the Intelligence Community, and other stakeholders. The attorney will also provide presentations, briefings, lectures, and legal training programs.