A Lawyer represents clients in legal matters or court proceedings, provides legal advice and draws up legal documents. Works on criminal or civil cases, and either specializes in one area or practices broadly across all areas of law.
Attorney Fellow (Legal Honors Program) - Mid to Experienced Level (Maryland) Department of Defense Nional Security Agency/Central Security Service Summary The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the exclusive NSA component responsible for providing legal services to all NSA elements. The Office of General Counsel protects NSA's interests concerning the legal and regulory authorities, requirements, entitlements, obligions and oversight requirements under which the Agency operes. Learn more about this agency Summary The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the exclusive NSA component responsible for providing legal services to all NSA elements. The Office of General Counsel protects NSA's interests concerning the legal and regulory authorities, requirements, entitlements, obligions and oversight requirements under which the Agency operes. Learn more about this agency Overview Help Accepting applicions Posted yesterday • Apply by 08/16/26 Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 16, 2026 Locion few vacancies in the following locion: Fort Meade, MD No mching locions found. Work site options Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocion expenses reimbursed Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocion expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $102,415 - $158,322 per year Pay scale & grade
GG 12 - 13
Promotion potential None Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job. Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Not required Appointment type Permanent Occupions and job series 0904 Law Clerk Supervisory stus No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No Drug test Yes Security clearance Top Secret Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance . The type depends on the job. Background check type Nional security Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests. Announcement number 1260507 Control number 878171400 This job is open to Help The public U.S. Citizens, Nionals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Federal employees - Excepted service Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluion criteria. Veterans Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference Military spouses Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty. Individuals with disabilities Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A. Videos Duties Help The Nional Security Agency (NSA) Office of General Counsel (OGC) is looking for highly motived entry-level torneys with a commitment to public service to join its Legal Honors Program in the Fall of 2027. The Legal Honors Program is NSA OGC's exclusive entry-level torney hiring program. The three-year program includes rotions in both operional and support practice areas. NSA OGC has eight legal practice groups, which provide legal advice on the full breadth of legal issues confronting NSA, including legislion, intelligence operions, cybersecurity, ethics, procurement, research and development, litigion, environmental law, pents, personnel security, and employment issues. NSA OGC is seeking superior Honors Program applicants who are interested in joining its exceptional team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the Agency as it carries out its critical nional security missions. Attorneys working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and educion to solve a variety of challenges not found in the prive sector or any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government. This critical work ensures th Agency operions comply with the law while also protecting both our nional security and our civil liberties. With approprie training and supervision, NSA Honors Program torneys are entrusted with immedie responsibility, working directly with clients and Agency leadership. Attorneys selected for the Legal Honors Program will also have special opportunities to tend high-level briefings, meetings, and congressional hearings on nional security issues, liaise directly with intelligence community partners and other federal agencies, and tour facilities throughout the intelligence community, all while working under the guidance and mentorship of a senior torney assigned to them from among the leadership of NSA OGC. The twin missions of NSA - signals intelligence and cybersecurity - are two of the most important and dynamic challenges our Government faces today; therefore, there is rarely a typical day for an NSA torney. At NSA OGC, you will analyze cutting-edge technical and intelligence issues and will frequently provide legal advice th reles to high-profile current events affecting our nional security. In tackling these challenges, our torneys work directly with senior officials the Department of Justice's Nional Security Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigion, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Nional Security Council the White House, the Office of the Director of Nional Intelligence, and the Department of War, as well as other agencies in the Executive Branch and relevant committees of Congress. NSA torneys work in a highly classified setting and are entrusted with tremendous responsibility as they advise the Director and other senior leaders the Agency on a diverse and complex spectrum of issues reled to ghering the foreign intelligence informion needed to fight internional terrorism, espionage, transnional crime, and narcotics; defeing foreign cyber adversaries trying to steal nional secrets; and providing intelligence support to critical military overseas tactical operions, all while protecting our civil liberties and ensuring strict compliance with the Constitution and our laws. Because the NSA is a Department of War agency, our torneys have a unique opportunity to be directly involved in nional security operions working alongside military and civilian colleagues, as well as to interact with the prive sector in cybersecurity and other mters. Requirements Help Conditions of employment Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigion and polygraph. Qualificions The qualificions listed below are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry for Grade 12 requires a Professional Law Degree - Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor (LL.B or J.D.). As a condition of their term of employment, Attorney Fellows must pass the bar exam within 1 year and establish active membership in the bar of the highest court of a Ste, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. SENIOR Entry requires a Professional Law Degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and active membership in the bar of the highest court of a Ste, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. To be eligible for entry as a Grade 13, the Attorney Fellow is required to have professional legal experience in excess of 2 years th is commensure with the duties and responsibilities of the position, which can include completion of a 2 year judicial clerkship, or completion of a 1 year judicial clerkship and a LL.M. following lawschool, or completion of a 1 year judicial clerkship and LL.M and 1 year experience within the program. Additional informion
Pay:
Salary offers are based on candides' educion level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account informion provided by the hiring manager/organizion regarding the work level for the position.
Salary Range:
$102,415 - $158,322 (Full Performance, Senior) Salary range varies by locion, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.
Benefits:
NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule:
This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).
DCIPS Trial Period:
If selected for this position, you required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizional goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment termined unless you receive certificion, in writing, th your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certificion for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period th your employment termined and the effective de of such terminion. Expand Hide additional informion Candides should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passione about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United Stes Constitution. Benefits Help A 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 th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits . Review our 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 informion on the specific benefits offered. How you evalued You evalued for this job based on how well you meet the qualificions above. Applicants must be gradues of a law school accredited by the American Bar Associion. New law school gradues must, within 14 months of the commencement of their employment, pass a bar examinion and become duly licensed to practice as an torney in a U.S. ste, territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants who are currently in a judicial clerkship or gradue law program must, prior to commencement of employment, be members in good standing of the bar of a U.S. ste, territory, or the District of Columbia. Selections are made based on many elements of a candide's background, including: strong academic achievement; law review or moot court experience; superior writing and communicion skills; past employment; a demonstred commitment to government service, leadership, legal aid, and clinical experience; and extracurricular activities.
Eligibility is limited to:
- Law students graduing the end of 2026 (i.e., December 2026) or in the Spring of 2027 with no prior legal experience (other than summer associe or intern positions); or - Law school gradues from 2025 or 2026 who are seeking their first legal position following a judicial clerkship or gradue law program th commenced immediely after law school graduion. Benefits Help A 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 th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits . Review our 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 informion on the specific benefits offered. Required documents Required Documents Help •
VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS
•Thank you for your service! The Nional Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United Stes Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "
DoD Civilian Personnel Management System:
Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candides. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documention of your preference eligibility upon applicion.
Acceptable documention includes:
- DD-214: "Certifice of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows des of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR -
Certificion of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the approprie branch of the armed forces th certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not ler than 120 days after the de the certificion is signed. The certificion should include the military service des, including the expected discharge or release de; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Applicion for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documention you provide must specifically demonstre this level of disability;
AND - VA
Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship ring) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by ing a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). •Failure to provide sufficient documention of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candide during the hiring selection process. If you are relying on your educion to meet qualificion requirements: Educion must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion in order for it to be credited towards qualificions. Therefore, provide only the tendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion . Failure to provide all of the required informion as sted in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible ring or may affect the overall ring. How to Apply Help Please our applicion site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260507 Agency contact informion NSA POC Phone 1-844-424-4737 intelcareers@nsa.gov Next steps Please our applicion site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260507 Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probionary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodion policy Selective Service Signure and false stements Social security number request Required Documents Help •
VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS
•Thank you for your service! The Nional Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United Stes Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "
DoD Civilian Personnel Management System:
Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candides. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documention of your preference eligibility upon applicion.
Acceptable documention includes:
- DD-214: "Certifice of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows des of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR -
Certificion of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the approprie branch of the armed forces th certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not ler than 120 days after the de the certificion is signed. The certificion should include the military service des, including the expected discharge or release de; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Applicion for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documention you provide must specifically demonstre this level of disability;
AND - VA
Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship ring) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by ing a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). •Failure to provide sufficient documention of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candide during the hiring selection process. If you are relying on your educion to meet qualificion requirements: Educion must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion in order for it to be credited towards qualificions. Therefore, provide only the tendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion . Failure to provide all of the required informion as sted in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible ring or may affect the overall ring. How to Apply Help Please our applicion site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260507 Expand Hide how to apply Agency contact informion NSA POC Phone 1-844-424-4737 intelcareers@nsa.gov Next steps Please our applicion site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1260507 Expand Hide next steps Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probionary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodion policy Selective Service Signure and false stements Social security number request Overview Help Accepting applicions Posted yesterday • Apply by 08/16/26 Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 16, 2026 Locion few vacancies in the following locion: Fort Meade, MD No mching locions found. Work site options Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocion expenses reimbursed Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocion expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $102,415 - $158,322 per year Pay scale & grade
GG 12 - 13
Promotion potential None Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job. Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Not required Appointment type Permanent Occupions and job series Supervisory stus No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No Drug test Yes Security clearance Top Secret Position sensitivity and risk Jobs require a and some require a . The type depends on the job. Background check type Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require to identify conflicts of interests. Announcement number 1260507 Control number 878171400
