Hiring Organization
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Hiring Office
Office of Chief Counsel
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
H-DEA-26-13001963-DE-DJ

Location:
700 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202 - United States

Application Deadline:
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
About the Office

The Diversion Law Section works with investigators across the country to bring administrative enforcement actions against individuals and companies in the pharmaceutical industry who handle controlled substances in a manner inconsistent with federal regulations; provides legal guidance relating to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); litigates complex matters in administrative court and coordinates parallel criminal and civil proceedings; provides legal guidance in the promulgation of regulations; reviews legislative proposals; and provides training to DEA personnel in this area of law. Attorneys in the Diversion Law Section may engage in litigation activities, legal review activities, or both.

Job Description

For litigation attorneys, duties also include:
Representing the DEA in administrative hearings and civil litigation regarding license revocations, denials, suspensions, regulatory violations, or revocation of DEA Registrations for doctors, pharmacies, distributors, and manufacturers.
Providing legal advice on the enforcement of the CSA and the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act.
Working with DEA Special Agents, Diversion Investigators, federal/state law enforcement, and prosecutors on criminal, civil, and administrative cases.
Advising Diversion Investigators and Special Agents on civil and regulatory issues during active investigations and drafting charging documents.

For legal review attorneys, duties also include:
Serving as legal advisor on all issues related to the diversion of controlled substances and listed chemicals into illegitimate channels.
Advising DEA on its authorities under the CSA, including drug and chemical control, drug scheduling actions, and quotas.
Reviewing and providing legal advice on relevant legislation and agency policies.
Reviewing rules, regulations, and notices relating to the legitimate handling of controlled substances and listed chemicals and evaluating them for compliance with the requirements of federal statutes including the CSA and the Administrative Procedure Act.
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) and have at least 2-year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience; 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.

Preferred Experience: Expertise in the Controlled Substances Act is preferred. For litigating attorneys, experience in litigation and regulatory compliance is highly preferred. For legal review attorneys, extensive knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act is required and knowledge of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) or training and experience in scientific areas such as biochemistry or pharmacology is highly desirable but not required.

To qualify for each GS Level:
Applicants applying for the GS-13 must have 2 or more years of post J.D. litigation, APA legal experience, and/or a judicial clerkship(s). Experience with narcotics prosecutions or the Controlled Substance Act is preferred.
Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 3 or more years of post J.D. litigation, APA legal experience, and/or a judicial clerkship(s). Substantial experience with narcotics prosecutions or the Controlled Substance Act is preferred. Applicants should also have significant courtroom experience and/or advising leadership on legal or policy matters.

Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. litigation, APA legal experience, and/or a judicial clerkship(s). Substantial experience with narcotics prosecutions or the Controlled Substance Act is preferred. Applicants should also have extensive first chair experience leading litigation teams and/or advising senior leadership on complex legal or policy matters.

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: www.naces.org/members.php .

Trial Period

Selectee will be required to serve a 1-year OR 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

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-26-13001963-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.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position.

Political Appointees (Current and Former): 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 or Non-Caree SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

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

Salary listed includes locality: (GS13: $121,785 – $158,322) (GS14: $143,913 – $187,093) (GS15: $169,279 - $197,200)