Attorney Advisor

Bureau of Justice Grants•Washington, DC

About The Position

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Civil Rights. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and resources to support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect children, serve crime victims, and address public safety challenges. The Attorney Advisor provides senior civil rights legal counsel on complex and sensitive matters that may significantly affect agency operations and resource use. The role advises grant recipients on federal civil rights requirements, manages civil rights compliance reviews and complaint matters, and supports OJP leadership with legal analysis of emerging judicial decisions, regulatory changes, and DOJ policies. The position develops written guidance, briefing materials, FAQs, and training on civil rights compliance; handles complex legal issues involving laws, regulations, contracts, directives, and other legal documents; and provides high-level consultation, briefings, presentations, and outreach. Sensitive or precedent-setting recommendations may require review and approval by senior officials before release.

Requirements

Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
Be an active member of the bar in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction.
Have at least 1.5 years of post-J.D./LL.B. legal experience in at least one of the specified civil-rights-related areas.
Experience interpreting and applying civil rights laws, regulations, and legal precedents to novel or evolving fact patterns; providing legal guidance to leadership, program offices, and external stakeholders; and preparing substantive legal analyses for agency decision-making.
Alternatively, experience conducting civil rights compliance reviews through documentary and data analysis, coordinating information requests, interviewing grantee personnel, and assessing compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws.
Alternatively, experience reviewing proposed grant programs, solicitations, or policy and program changes for compliance with statutory civil rights requirements; coordinating with the Civil Rights Division on overlapping enforcement matters; and contributing to interagency investigations and referrals.
Be a United States citizen.
Meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of 11/12/2026 and continue to meet them throughout the hiring process.
Complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check, including drug screening.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
Maintain active bar membership and license in at least one jurisdiction.
Have professional knowledge of statutes, orders, rules, and regulations applicable to adjudication of federal claims.
Have expertise in working in partnership with public safety officers and national public safety organizations or similar organizations.
Have knowledge of the mission, structure, and overall responsibilities of state and local public safety agencies.

Responsibilities

Advise grant recipients on federal civil rights requirements, including nondiscrimination obligations, accessibility standards, and equitable service delivery.
Manage civil rights compliance reviews, including data analysis, document requests, and interviews, to assess grantee compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws.
Manage legal review of civil rights complaints filed with OCR, determine whether OCR has jurisdiction, assign matters for investigation, and make preliminary legal determinations.
Monitor judicial decisions, regulatory updates, and DOJ policy shifts, and prepare legal analyses of their civil rights implications for OJP leadership.
Create written guidance, briefing papers, FAQs, and training modules about civil rights compliance for federal employees, grantees, and external partners.
Handle complex civil rights issues involving the drafting, interpretation, or implementation of laws, regulations, contracts, directives, rulings, opinions, and other legal documents.
Apply independent legal reasoning to reconcile competing interests.
Identify sensitive or precedent-setting issues requiring senior officials' review and approval before recommendations are released.
Provide briefings and presentations on civil rights law at seminars and agency outreach events.
Lead meetings and facilitate question-and-answer sessions on civil rights issues.