The Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties (OPCL), United States Department of Justice, is seeking a dynamic, collaborative attorney with excellent oral and written communication skills and experience in privacy and civil liberties law and policy to handle a wide range of privacy and civil liberties issues.
OPCL is responsible for ensuring the Department’s compliance with privacy and civil liberties-related laws, policies, and technical requirements, and appropriately minimizing related risks, including under the Privacy Act of 1974, the privacy provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002 and Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA), and technical standards and requirements promulgated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). OPCL also develops and provides Departmental privacy training; oversees the Department’s responses to data breaches; ensures the Department has adequate procedures to receive, investigate, respond to, and redress complaints from individuals; prepares privacy-related reporting to Congress and other oversight bodies; actively engages in multiple Department-wide working groups, including the Emerging Technology Board; and reviews the information handling practices of the Department to ensure that such practices are consistent with the protection of privacy and civil liberties. OPCL is responsible for advising Department leadership and components concerning international data protection and privacy laws and policies, including representing the Department in international negotiations designed to harmonize privacy related laws, policies, and practices related to the Department’s missions. Finally, OPCL provides administrative support to the Data Protection Review Court (DPRC), the second layer of a two-layer independent and binding redress process, a critical pillar in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework established in 2023.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Detailed Position Description:
The primary purpose of the position is to provide legal advice and guidance to Department leadership and components on privacy and civil liberties matters, provide policy advice concerning proposed legislative, regulatory, or policy proposals that impact privacy and civil liberties, and ensure the Department’s compliance with privacy and civil liberties laws, regulations, and policies, and appropriately mitigate related risks.
Salary: This is a GS-15 position, with an annual salary range of $163,964 - $191,900.
Number of Positions: One
Telework: This position is eligible for telework in accordance with OPCL policy.
Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) in good standing, and have at least six (6) years of relevant post-J.D. experience. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in handling privacy issues and working in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
Clearance: The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance and is required to file a confidential financial disclosure form (OGE Form 450).
The successful applicant will likely also possess:
- Exceptional writing and oral communication skills;
- Strong speaking and presentation skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, and the demonstrated ability to lead a team and also collaborate with others to achieve a common goal;
- Creative problem-solving skills to resolve unusually complicated legal matters, often with little on-point legal authority, with the goal of supporting a client’s mission while minimizing privacy-related risks;
- Working knowledge of privacy laws, regulations, and policies that apply to the U.S. Government, and familiarity with law enforcement and national security law and policy;
- Highly developed ability to recognize knowledge and abilities the applicant lacks, and to learn new skills quickly and seek help where necessary;
- Demonstrated ability to adapt, quickly shift priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred qualifications: Relevant certification in a privacy-related field, for example, one of the International Association of Privacy Professionals Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) certifications.
Application Submission Information: Additional information is available on the USDOJ website at: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/job/attorney-advisor-20.
Closing Date: All applications should be submitted by Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Questions concerning this announcement should be sent to: privacy.employee-hiring@usdoj.gov, with the subject line “OPCL Attorney Advisor Opportunity.”