The Week That Will Be

Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

Monday, February 22nd at 9 am: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies will host a two-panel conference on Russia's Foreign Policy: New Spheres of Influence? The two panels will explore Russia's role in Europe and the Middle East respectively. For more information on the conference and for a full list of speakers, see the event announcement.

Tuesday, February 23rd at 9:30 am: The Senate Armed Services Committee will hear testimony on U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2017. Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, will provide testimony. The committee's website has more.

Tuesday, February 23rd at 10 am: The Stimson Center Task Force on U.S. Drone Policy will launch a report card Grading Progress on U.S. Drone Policy, which analyzes the Administration's progress towards implementing the task force's 2014 recommendations. Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Rosa Brooks and Rachel Stohl will participate in a conversation moderated by Craig Whitlock. RSVP.

Wednesday, February 24th at 12 pm: At the Bipartisan Policy Center in an event entitled Shedding Light on 'Going Dark': Practical Approaches to the Encryption Challenge, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, will roll out their new legislation creating the McCaul-Warner commission on security and technology changes in the digital age. Following the launch, a panel discussion featuring Chris Inglis, Jim Lewis, and Susan Hennessey will highlight the need to take action on this issue. The event will be moderated by David Perera. Register here.

Thursday, February 25th at 9 am: The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will hold an open hearing on the Worldwide Threat Assessment from the U.S. Intelligence Community. CIA Director John Brennan, ODNI Director James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, NSA Director Adm. Michael Rogers, and DIA Director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart will offer testimony. See more information at the committee's website.

Thursday, February 25th at 9:30 am: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hear testimony on Strengthening U.S. Leadership in a Turbulent World: The FY 2017 Foreign Affairs Budget. Secretary of State John Kerry will testify. The committee website has more details.

Friday, February 26th at 10 am: The Brookings Institution will hold an event on Uncharted Seas: Maritime Strategy for a New Era of Naval Challenges. The event will feature the civilian and military leaders of the U.S. sea services, including Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John M. Richardson, and Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller. Michael O'Hanlon of Brookings will moderate. RSVP.

Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)

Lawfare Summer 2016 Internship

Internship Summary

This academic focused summer internship, beginning May 2016, is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year or graduate students with an interest in national security to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. This intern will assist with running and maintaining Lawfare, a website devoted to serious, non-ideological discussion of national security legal and policy issues.

Lawfare has emerged as the internet’s indispensable resource for information and analysis on the law of national security. Devoted to “Hard National Security Choices,” the site features top-quality writing and analysis from experts on developing stories in the national security arena, relevant legislation, and judicial opinions. It is a digital magazine that includes a podcast, a book review, research tools, a daily news roundup, an events calendar, and exhaustive coverage of events other media touch only glancingly.

This unpaid internship provides a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to the student’s field of study or career interest. It will provide an opportunity for career exploration and development as well as a chance to learn new skills.

Learning Objectives

Students will have an opportunity learn a variety of research skills such as writing, research and blog maintenance. Learning will fall into three main categories:

Writing:

• Work with Associate Editor to monitor national security and foreign policy developments, and 3-4 times per week, co-write “Today’s Headlines and Commentary.”
• Work with Associate Editor to co-write “The Week that Will Be,” a weekly feature that outlines upcoming events, academic announcements, and employment announcements.
• Work with the Associate Editor to co-write a regular deep-dive analytical piece on a relevant national security law and policy issue.
• Sole-author “The Week that Was,” a weekly piece that provides a guide to the week’s Lawfare content.

Research:

• Provide research support to the Lawfare editorial team as needed. Current projects include a book manuscript on data and technology proliferation and their implications for security; a paper on technology and privacy; and a paper on military justice.
• Work to develop the Lawfare Wiki by taking a deep research dive into one or two areas of national security law. The intern will identify key primary source materials, summarize relevant documents, and create and develop the topic page on Lawfare.

Maintaining the blog:

• Tag and categorize all Lawfare posts
• Track relevant Congressional hearings
• Track and add relevant events to the Events Calendar

In addition to providing support to the scholars directly, interns will have the opportunity to attend internal meetings, local think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events as well as participate on Brookings sports teams and network with other interns throughout the Institution.

Education/Knowledge/Skills

Graduate or undergraduate student (who has completed their sophomore year) working towards a degree in government, political science, international relations, and law are encouraged to apply. Our most successful interns have very strong writing, analytical, and research skills, as well as excellent verbal and organizational skills---preferably demonstrated through prior independent research or previous experience as a research assistant.

Application Procedure

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants should send the following documents to Cody Poplin at Cpoplin@brookings.edu:

1. A cover letter highlighting your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals; and

2. A resume along with contact information for three academic or professional references.

EEO Statement

Brookings is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law. Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. No phone calls please.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Organization: Department of Justice

Office: National Security Division

Position: Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Salary: $123,175 to $185,100

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) performs all duties assigned or required to execute the AAG's policy, programmatic, legal, and administrative agenda including but not limited to the following:

• Provides supervisory and management oversight of a staff of lawyers and non-lawyers within the Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Foreign Investment Review Staff, who handle extremely sensitive matters of significance to NSD, including, but not limited to: cybersecurity and counterintelligence-related matters; reviews of foreign acquisitions of domestic entities that might affect national security; tracking and monitoring of transactions that have been approved and identifying unreported transactions that might merit review; and responding to Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requests for the Department's views relating to the national security implications of certain transactions relating to FCC licenses.
• Plans, directs, and reviews work to be accomplished by subordinates. As required, establishes program emphasis, develops operating policies and guidelines, and communicates policies and priorities. In furtherance of these functions, determines and implements internal organization, practices, training needs, and improvements in work processes and procedures.
• Prepares legal policy analyses, papers, memoranda, reports, and advice insuring that all policies or recommendations are legally and administratively sound and consistent with Department objectives. Participates in discussions and implements policies advocated by the AAG. Works closely with the intelligence community on national security matters.
• Performs research for various written issuances concerning legal areas in which the Department has an interest. Assignments require personal contacts and discussions with the staff members throughout the Department and other agencies as required to obtain information and assistance in preparation of materials and reports.
• Prepares or reviews legal or other memoranda for the attention or signature of the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General (PDAAG) and the AAG. In this connection, engages in research appropriate to the legal or quasi-legal problem at hand. Provides written and oral recommendations to the PDAAG and AAG.
• Analyzes and prepares reports on questions or problems of interest to the AAG. These include issues in individual cases, as well as questions of Department of Justice policy or legal administration. Relays the AAG's policies and philosophies concerning sensitive matters.
• Reviews and evaluates proposed legal actions and recommendations submitted for the approval of the AAG. Analyzes evidence and legal theory of proposed, litigation, and summarizes findings for the AAG.
• Participates in conferences between the AAG and members of the executive staff, or officials of other government agencies or private organizations.
• Represents the AAG at governmental meetings and conferences and speaks for the AAG on delegated subject-matter topics outlining policies and issues of a sensitive nature.
• Provides strong advocacy and commitment to the Division's priorities concerning workforce diversity and equal employment opportunity and demonstrates strong commitment for merit promotion principles in all aspects of hiring, selection, development and performance management of employees.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least five (5) years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

The selectee will undergo a suitability review conducted by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.

You must submit a resume and a separate narrative statement/response that addresses each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements related to this position as well as the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) related to all positions in the Senior Executive Service.

Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees who have had their Executive Core Qualifications approved by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) are not required to address the ECQs, but must address all Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your application must be submitted by mail, fax, email (ses/sl.applications@usdoj.gov ), or hand-delivery; however; You must ensure that your application is received in JMD/HR at the address specified in the announcement no later than 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Please note that sending your application other than by fax or email may result in a delay in your package being received in JMD/HR prior to the deadline; therefore, you would not receive consideration.

Please note that application materials mailed in franked government envelopes will not be considered for this position.

INTERNET SITE: This vacancy announcement is also posted on the USAJobs website at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/428408600

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Linda Anderson
Phone: (202)532-4589
Fax: (202)514-0673
Email: SES/SL.APPLICATIONS@USDOJ.GOV

Agency Information:
National Security Division
JMD Human Resources
145 N Street NE Room 9W300
Washington, DC 20530
USA

Fax: (202)514-0673

Attorney-Advisor, Department of Commerce

Organization: Department of Commerce

Office: Office of the General Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security

Position: Attorney-Advisor

Salary Range: $64,650 to $100,736

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking one or more junior attorneys at the GS-11 and 12 levels and/or recent law school graduates at the GS-11 grade level to join the Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security (OCC/IS). OCC/IS provides legal advice and support to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on a wide range of issues critical to advancing U.S. national security, foreign policy and economic objectives.

Regulatory responsibilities will potentially include: providing counseling on export control licensing and compliance; reviewing and interpreting statutes, regulations and Executive Orders; drafting and reviewing proposed regulations, legislation, position papers, and testimony; participating in international technical assistance programs with foreign government officials; providing legal support to BIS’s defense industrial base and treaty compliance programs; and supporting BIS participation in Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) activities.

Enforcement and litigation responsibilities will include: representing BIS in complex administrative enforcement cases (including drafting charging documents and related materials, motions practice, discovery, and pre-trial and evidentiary hearings before administrative law judges), assisting federal prosecutors in criminal export control enforcement matters and assisting in defending civil challenges to and appeals of agency action, counseling BIS special agents regarding their investigations, and providing legal support for agency enforcement initiatives. In addition, attorneys assist the Chief Counsel for Industry and Security on various projects as needed, including with respect to certain Freedom of Information Act legal issues.

The attorney’s responsibilities will include counseling BIS on export control regulatory issues and representing BIS in administrative export control enforcement proceedings regarding dual-use items and those munitions items controlled by the Export Administration Regulations.

Attorneys must be able to handle a wide variety of assignments with short, time-critical deadlines, and have excellent interpersonal skills, suitable for successfully working with policy makers and senior-level officials as well as licensing officers and enforcement personnel at headquarters and in the field.

Salary Range: GS-11-12 is $64,650 to $100,736 (promotion potential to a GS-15 although neither guaranteed nor implied).

Qualifications:

Recent Law School Graduate: Bar membership is not required

For recent law school graduates, bar membership is not required for initial appointment to a 14 month limited-term law clerk position. This law clerk position will be converted to an attorney-advisor position after passing the bar exam and becoming an active member in good standing of the bar of a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

GS-11 Law Clerk: An outstanding record of academic achievement and work experience pertinent to the work of OCC/IS is also desirable. Must also possess exceptional analytical, writing, organizational, and interpersonal communications skills and demonstrate a serious interest in working on both regulatory and administrative enforcement matters.

For a GS-11 Attorney-Advisor:

1. J.D. degree; active bar membership in good standing of the bar of a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
2. An outstanding record of academic and professional achievement. Must also possess exceptional analytical, writing, organizational, and interpersonal communications skills and demonstrate a serious interest in working on both regulatory and administrative enforcement matters. Academic training or work experience pertinent to the work of OCC/IS is also desirable.

For GS-12 Attorney-Advisor:

1. J.D. degree; active bar membership in good standing of the bar of a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and one year of professional work experience.
2. An outstanding record of academic and professional achievement. Must also possess exceptional analytical, writing, organizational, and interpersonal communications skills and demonstrate a serious interest in working on both regulatory and administrative enforcement matters. Academic training or work experience pertinent to the work of OCC/IS is also desirable.

Position Requirements:

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.

Education: Must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school with a J.D. degree.

Successful candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance. Dual citizens must be prepared to relinquish foreign citizenship in order to receive a clearance.

Please send your resume, cover letter, law school transcript (unofficial is sufficient for application purposes), and a legal writing sample (preferably on a regulatory, export control, economic sanctions, international trade, national security or litigation topic) to OCCIS@doc.gov by March 4, 2016.

Applicants who are not selected for interviews will not be notified that they have not been selected.