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Attorneys at the CIA provide legal advice and policy counsel on a variety of legal issues relating to intelligence and national security law and other routine practices of an executive agency. CIA's Office of General Counsel places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives, and encourages applications from qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Duties The Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provides legal advice and policy counsel to the Director of the CIA (DCIA) and other CIA officers on a variety of legal issues, to include intelligence and national security law; procurement and acquisition law; employment and personnel law; government ethics; fiscal law; general administrative law; privacy and civil liberties, and legislative affairs.
As an attorney, you will be responsible for:
- Providing legal advice and policy counsel to CIA leadership on complex areas of law affecting the CIA's duties and responsibilities under authorities including the National Security Act, the CIA Act, and Executive Orders.
- Conducting legal research and analysis on sensitive matters.
- Providing training on a variety of laws and policies affecting CIA personnel.
- Engaging with other Intelligence Community elements, federal agencies, and congressional committees.
- Maintaining productive working relationships with other OGC and Agency officers to further CIA's mission.
- $139,395 - $191,900/year
- You must be physically in the United States or one of its territories when you submit your resume via MyLINK.
- You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
- You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age (dual-national US citizens are eligible).
- You must be willing to move to the Washington, DC area.
- You must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
- For further information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/how-we-hire/
- Active membership of the bar (any US jurisdiction).
- Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation
- Demonstrated experience of at least three years in one or more of OGC's practice areas.
- All candidates are reviewed for the following competencies:
- Legal analysis, reasoning and writing, including the ability to effectively integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, including in compressed timeframes
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment
- The ability to exercise sound judgment in challenging situations
- Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances
- Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently
- Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships inside and outside the CIA
- Demonstrated expertise on complex legal matters, and strong client counseling skills, in one or more of the following practice areas: Constitutional Law, Government Contracts, Employment Law, Ethics, Fiscal Law, FOIA, International Law, Investigations, Litigation (Federal), Privacy Law, Operational Law, Surveillance Law, and Tech/Cyber Law
Lateral (or mid-career) hires have more than three years of post-law school experience and work on the most complex legal issues in the Agency.
- Please note other OGC job postings on CIA.gov tailored to specific practice areas (e.g., government contracts, employment law, etc.)
- Candidates may apply to a specialty practice area through these tailored job postings. This "Lateral Attorney" job posting is an opportunity for generalist candidates to highlight experience in multiple practice areas.
For further information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/lateral-attorney/.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This post is for viewing purposes only. To get started, please visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/lateral-attorney/, where you can read more about this position and express your interest in up to four jobs. Upon expressing your interest, you will be taken to MyLINK, which allows you to submit your resume and job rankings and provide basic information about yourself.
BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
