Section Chief Special Matters Section

The Department of Justice's National Fraud Enforcement Division investigates and prosecutes fraud against the American people. The Division uses advanced data-driven investigative techniques, partners with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local agencies, coordinates with programs administering taxpayer funds, develops efficient fraud detection systems, and equips prosecutors and law enforcement with the tools needed to bring offenders to justice.

Duties

This position is located at the Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington D.C.
The Section Chief, Special Matters Section, serves as the senior executive responsible for the National Fraud Enforcement Division's special matters program, which comprises attorney-client privilege, professional responsibility, and privilege review programs. The incumbent serves as a principal advisor to the Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, United States Attorneys' Offices, and Department leadership regarding Division's commerce enforcement program. And the incumbent collaborates extensively with other Department components, United States Attorneys' Offices, federal law enforcement agencies, Executive Branch agencies, Inspectors General, and other state, local, Tribal, territorial, and international law enforcement partners.

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading the National Fraud Enforcement Division's special matters program by establishing national priorities, strategic direction, and oversight of attorney-client privilege, professional responsibility, and sensitive investigative matters.
• Directing nationwide litigation strategies involving complex privilege disputes, professional responsibility issues, and other legally sensitive matters arising from criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• Advising Department leadership, United States Attorneys' Offices, and senior executives on legal, policy, and operational issues involving privileged communications, ethical obligations, and emerging enforcement challenges.
• Overseeing nationally significant investigations and litigation involving precedent-setting privilege issues, sensitive investigative procedures, and complex financial enforcement matters with substantial government impact.
• Developing Department-wide policies, legal guidance, and enforcement frameworks governing privilege reviews, privilege filter protocols, attorney work product, and related investigative practices.
• Coordinating strategic partnerships and unified enforcement efforts with federal law enforcement agencies, Inspectors General, United States Attorneys' Offices, regulatory organizations, and international partners to address emerging fraud and enforcement risks.
• Representing the Department as the senior executive on matters involving legal professional responsibility, privilege issues, and interagency coordination affecting national enforcement operations.
• Managing the Section's strategic planning, workforce development, budget execution, resource allocation, and organizational performance to ensure effective nationwide operations.
• Implementing comprehensive training, quality assurance, and professional development initiatives that strengthen litigation excellence, operational effectiveness, and organizational capability.
• Promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, innovation, equal employment opportunity, and merit system principles while aligning Section performance and resources with the Department's strategic enforcement objectives.

Salary

• $151,661 - $228,000/year

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment:

1. You must be a United States Citizen or National.
2. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
3. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
4. You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
5. You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed.
6. You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed.
7. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
8. You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of their demonstrated leadership ability by addressing the the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not to exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided)

**Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position.

We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Section Chief Special Matters Section. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

ECQ1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

ECQ5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to state goals from superiors.

For this position, the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) have been established and should be addressed within the resume application.

MTQ 1:Demonstrated expertise in federal criminal law, complex fraud enforcement, attorney-client privilege, attorney work product doctrine, crime-fraud exception issues, and professional responsibility matters affecting sensitive investigations and litigation. Experience must include advising senior officials, developing legal strategies, and resolving complex legal issues involving white collar investigations, corporate misconduct, privileged materials, investigative procedures, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions.

MTQ 2: Demonstrated expertise leading complex criminal investigations and prosecutions, including evaluating evidence, making charging decisions, and directing trial strategy. Provides authoritative legal analysis and guidance on criminal import, trade, and other fraud statutes. Experience includes advising and mentoring attorneys; guiding federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners; and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders on sensitive and high-impact matters. Exercises sound judgment, ensures consistency with Department policies, and drives timely, mission-focused outcomes.

MTQ 3: Demonstrated experience managing a complex organization, a broad workforce, and challenging organizational issues while enforcing policies and law.

MTQ 4: Demonstrated experience communicating effectively on complex technical issues through oral and written communication, including the ability to advocate successfully with broad stakeholders, external partners and individuals or groups having differed and often conflicting interests, on matters related to the successful execution of a large-scale organization's mission, programs and projects.

Education Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Other Information EEO Policy Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. The complete DOJ EEO Statement/Policy is found at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1394116/download. Reasonable Accommodation 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. The U.S. Department of Justice fosters an inclusive and diverse workforce, find our EEO statement online at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy. Legal and Regulatory Guidance Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number may be requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action. 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. Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
.
- Proof of Active Bar Membership
- Complete Resume that addresses the MTQs and ECQs. Your resume must not exceed (2) pages.
- Recent SF-50 that shows Official Title, Salary, Grade Level, Status and (for current or former federal employees)
- Recent Performance Appraisal (for current or former federal employees)
- Provide certification of OPM QRB approval (for graduates of SES Candidate Development Programs)
- Other supporting documentation as required.

How to Apply

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 08/04/2026 may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.