Attorney Advisor - GS-15 - Civil Rights Division

The Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently seeking applications for an Attorney Advisor position in its Civil Rights Division.

Who May Apply: This vacancy announcement is open to all US Citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

Duty Station: Washington, DC; Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA; Kansas City, MO; Atlanta, GA

Series & Grade: GS-0905-15

Salary Range: $154,902 - $195,200

For specific wage information, refer to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule/

Open Period: September 29, 2025 – until filled (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting October 6, 2025.)

Job Summary:

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every person living in America! At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can make a difference in the lives of individuals across your community, state, and country. HHS is the principal agency for protecting health in America. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions.

HHS OGC is seeking an attorney to join the Health Data Branch of its Civil Rights Division (CRD).

The Health Data Branch provides legal advice and services to HHS’ Office for Civil Rights in relation to its enforcement and administration of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act), the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA), and regulations at 42 C.F.R. Part 2 governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder records.

The Health Data Branch will also provide legal advice and services to the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) on its authorities under Title XXX of the Public Health Service Act and implementing regulations at 45 CFR Parts 170–172, relating to health information technology (Health IT), information blocking, and the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA).

While the Division seeks to hire attorneys who can adroitly practice in multiple areas, our immediate needs are in the health privacy and Health IT areas. Outside the Health Data Branch, CRD advises on matters relating to quintessential civil rights laws (e.g., Titles VI and IX, Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Affordable Care Act § 1557), as well as conscience and religious freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and a variety of statutes.

For more information, please see OCR’s website at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/index.html, and OGC’s website at https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/ogc/index.html.

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

Duties:

The attorney will primarily provide legal advice and services on issues related to (1) the enforcement and administration of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules; and (2) Health IT, interoperability, and information blocking under the 21st Century Cures Act. The attorney will provide legal advice in a wide range of contexts, including: the development, investigation, negotiation, and resolution of cases; the development of enforcement and litigation strategies; and the review, promulgation, and application of regulations, policies, and guidance.

We are seeking to fill this position at the GS-15.

The position will be located in Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; or Denver, CO, and reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available.

Preferred Qualifications: Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in the fields of health information privacy, security, or technology.

Administrative law and/or federal court litigation experience preferred.

Qualifications Required:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed on this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

At the GS-15: You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.B from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing, and four years of professional legal experience post bar admission equivalent to the GS-14 with one year of experience equivalent to the GS-14.

The following are required qualifications:

Conditions of Employment:

  • You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Have at least four years of experience after law school as a practicing attorney.
  • Proof that bar status is active, in good standing, and eligible to practice in the highest court of a State, U. S. commonwealth, U. S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Candidates must also have exemplary legal research, writing, advocacy abilities, and possess excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS OHR, the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Two-year trial period may be required.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position is not in the bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public. Applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order to demonstrate commitment to the HHS goal of a drug-free workplace and to set an example for other Federal employees, employees not in a testing designated position may volunteer for unannounced random testing by notifying their Drug-free Federal Workplace Program Point of Contact upon hiring.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Instructions To Apply:

Please submit the following documents to ogccrvacancy@hhs.gov using the subject line “Civil Rights Division Health Data Branch Attorney” in the forwarding email. To receive full consideration, submit all materials by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement:

  • Cover letter.
  • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received, and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment (full time or part time) and supervisors name and telephone number(s).
  • Legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages, preferably related to Health IT or health privacy issue).
  • Proof that bar status is active, in good standing, and eligible to practice in a state, territory of the US, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • Names and contact information for at least three professional references.
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