Hiring Organization
Criminal Division (CRM)
Hiring Office
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Detail
Job ID
26-CRM-DET-023
Location:
Beijing - China
Application Deadline:
Monday, July 6, 2026
About the Office
While this vacancy announcement expires on Monday, July 6, 2026, the announcement may be closed at any time if a selection is made. This assignment is for a period of 12 months, beginning in or about September 2026 with the possibility of extension, contingent on the availability of funding. Appointment to this position will be through a reimbursable detail.
The Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) build strong foreign partners who can work with the United States to enhance cooperation in transnational cases and to fight crime before it reaches our shores. OPDAT has experienced prosecutors posted around the world providing expert assistance and strategic guidance to foreign counterparts in order to combat transnational crime and terrorism in furtherance of U.S. national security.
OPDAT works closely with components throughout the Department of Justice and partners globally with federal law enforcement agencies to advance the Administration’s foreign policy. OPDAT’s programs are a critical component of Operation Take Back America. OPDAT keeps Americans safe from violent crime by increasing partner nation skills to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations at the source. At the same time, OPDAT advisors develop relationships of trust with foreign counterparts so that they can investigate and prosecute illegal migration, cartels, gangs, cybercrime, trafficking, terrorism, and other transnational crimes that are harmful to U.S. interests at home and abroad.
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/opdat
Job Description
The Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) will work under the auspices of the United States Embassy in Beijing, China, representing the Department of Justice and OPDAT to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and China on criminal justice matters. The RLA will facilitate cooperation between U.S. and Chinese criminal justice sector stakeholders in combatting transnational crimes with a focus on disrupting trafficking of fentanyl, precursor chemicals, and narcotics, and the laundering of criminal proceeds by cartels, Chinese organized crime, and other transnational organized crime groups. The RLA will also support justice sector cooperation between the U.S. and Mongolia, which is also in the program’s area of responsibility. The RLA will work closely with local law enforcement and government officials, including prosecutors, judges, and police, through dialogue, consultations, case-based mentoring, formal training, and technical assistance on cases. The RLA will work closely with OPDAT headquarters staff and U.S. interagency partners to ensure lines of effort meet Departmental and U.S. Government objectives.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: We are seeking a current Department of Justice attorney. To qualify for this position, applicants must possess ALL of the requirements below:
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) 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.
Specific grade level requirements:
GS-15: At least four (4) years of post J.D. legal experience, to include four (4) years of prosecutorial experience in Article III courts or comparable state level courts.
GS-14: At least three (3) years of post J.D. legal experience, to include three (3) years of prosecutorial experience in Article III courts or comparable state level courts.
Applicants must have or be able to obtain through their Component/Agency and maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications: Preferred applicants have a thorough understanding and practical knowledge of Department of Justice and other United States Government approaches and policies involving complex criminal cases, transnational criminal organizations, transnational drug crimes, money laundering, and security and justice sector issues. Fluency in written Chinese and spoken Mandarin preferred.
The successful applicant should also have:
Extensive prosecution experience, including leading complex cases and providing strategic guidance and subject matter expertise to law enforcement and other prosecutors.
Ability to work in international and multicultural environments.
Strong interpersonal and management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Involvement in teaching activities, adult learning, and designing curricula is also a plus.
Application Process
While this vacancy announcement expires on Monday, July 6, 2026, the announcement may be closed at any time if a selection is made. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
AUSA applicants must obtain written approval from their U.S. Attorney before interviewing for this position.
All interested attorneys meeting these qualifications should submit a cover letter and resume to
[email protected].
Your resume must be no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Please ensure all information you believe is qualifying for the position is contained in the first two pages.
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.
Salary
Under detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee’s base pay, exclusive of locality pay, supervisory pay, or other such salary add-ons. If applicable, the selectee will also receive appropriate post and overseas salary differentials.
