Attorney Advisor(Managing Attorney)

The United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 169,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Justice's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is seeking a Managing Attorney (GS-15) to implement strategic direction and administer the VCF, Civil Division, Torts Branch. The incumbent reports to the VCF Special Master as principal legal and administrative advisor.

Responsibilities include leading strategic initiatives, establishing performance measures, managing high-priority projects, and providing authoritative counsel on sensitive policy and resource

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and bar admission in good standing.
• Minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.
• Experience leading policy and organizational initiatives.
• Preferred: 7+ years in compensation programs or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives for the Special Master and align priorities.
• Establish performance measures and evaluate organizational effectiveness.
• Manage high-priority projects and provide general counsel input.
• Advise on sensitive policy, operations, and resource allocation matters.

Skills

Legal expertise

Organizational leadership

Policy development

Trial experience

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

The VCF is administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General, with operational assistance provided by the Civil Division Torts Branch, and provides compensation for physical harm or death caused by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, or the debris removal efforts in the immediate aftermath. The VCF compensates individuals (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who were present at one of the three crash sites or in the VCF New York City Exposure Zone.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a federally funded program that was established to compensate for physical harm or death caused by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, or the debris removal efforts in the immediate aftermath. The VCF was established to provide a no-fault alternative to lawsuits and is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Special Master. For more information about the work of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, please see the following: https://www.vcf.gov .

Job Description

The Managing Attorney is responsible for implementing the strategic direction and administrative functioning of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Torts Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice. The incumbent reports to, and functions as, the principal legal and administrative advisor to the VCF Special Master. The duties are heavily focused on organizational management, advising the Special Master on the development and implementation of strategic priorities and program-wide improvements, as well as high level problem solving. The incumbent handles a wide array of difficult and complex legal and other issues pertaining to the administration of a victim compensation program, and as such must be able to work with minimal supervision and superior executive/administrative skills.

As a GS-15 Attorney Advisor (Managing Attorney), your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Leading strategic initiatives on behalf of the Special Master, integrating legal, operational, policy and organizational priorities in alignment with the Special Master's objectives and directives;
• Establishing performance measures in alignment with HRD and other OPM directives, evaluating organizational effectiveness, and recommending corrective actions;
• Managing diverse and high-priority projects or tasks assigned directly by the Special Master;
• Serving as General Counsel and Advisor. Providing authoritative counsel to the Special Master on highly sensitive policy, operational, or resource-allocation matters. Provides legal advice/input on statutory, legal, and regulatory issues.

Qualifications

Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

You must have a minimum of 4 years post-JD legal experience to qualify for the GS-15. Examples of qualifying experience described above include: a broad background of experience and knowledge in legal issues, organizational performance, and administrative/supervisory management of attorneys. Experience solving complex organizational challenges in collaboration with a leadership team; developing and implementing policies, procedures, systems, and/or controls to support program/project implementation. Experience leading implementation of new policies and procedures. Ability to work effectively with legal and non-legal staff. Excellent organizational and collaboration skills.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants should reflect excellent analytical, verbal, presentation, and writing skills, working with the highest degree of independence and initiative. This role requires a high level of discretion and professionalism. Background in compensation programs, victim services, trauma-informed practices, and organizational/technological system transformation projects is a plus. Candidates with at least 7 years of experience preferred.

Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; exhibit good judgment, and have experience in trial work. Judicial clerkship experience is desirable.

Trial Period Statement

As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be on or about September 11, 2026. The last referral list will be issued once the vacancy closes on September 25, 2026. This announcement may close at any time once a selection has been made. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure full consideration.

Once the application package is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. All qualified applications will be sent to the hiring official for review. You will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.

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.

$169,279.00 - $197,200.00

Number of Positions

1

Travel

You may be required to travel to the VCF offices in New York City and other work related locations.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found underAttorney Vacancies andVolunteer Legal Internships . The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.