Supervisory Attorney-Advisor (Customs)
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade (OT), Regulations and Rulings (RR), which includes the Commercial and Trade Facilitation Division, Border Security and Trade Compliance Division and Regulations and Disclosure Law Division, located in Washington, DC.
Major duties
As a Supervisory Attorney-Advisor you will exercise professional judgment, initiative, and leadership while formulating, directing, coordinating, and overseeing RR programs and initiatives. This position starts at a salary of $169,279.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10). CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S. laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety. Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security. Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime. Typical work assignments include: Supervising attorney-advisors, paralegals and other support staff of the Branch, focusing on issues such as tariff classification or administration and enforcement of intellectual property laws (e.g., related to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets); other issues might include country of origin, customs valuation, penalties, navigation laws, regulatory drafting, disclosure law and customs processes Assigning cases and projects, managing branch case load, and reviewing administrative legal determinations and decisions and other written materials prior to their issuance Providing technical legal advice and guidance on matters covered by the branch to other OT Directorates, CBP, other agency representatives and other government agencies, Congress and private stakeholders Providing regular reports to Regulations and Rulings (RR) and OT management regarding branch productivity and other branch priority issues
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you are an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Education Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show your completion of the first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD); or completion of the second professional law degree (LL.M.) from an accredited institution. Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Drafting and reviewing complex legal rulings and regulatory documents for CBP programs within established deadlines to ensure technical and legal accuracy. Coordinating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to analyze and interpret statutory and regulatory requirements for international trade matters. Advising senior leadership on policy and legal issues by preparing comprehensive legal memoranda and recommendations on proposed legislation and agency actions. Supervising and mentoring a team of attorney-advisors and support staff by assigning projects, providing feedback, and monitoring progress according to established performance standards. Leading the development and implementation of operating procedures and strategic plans for regulatory programs by integrating stakeholder input and aligning with organizational objectives You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 08/05/2026 NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/05/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.