Become a Civil Rights Attorney with the Department of Education

Are you a legal professional with a passion for educational equality and civil rights? The U.S. Department of Education is currently seeking talented, highly motivated attorneys to join their Office for Civil Rights (OCR). This is a unique opportunity to serve the public, enforce federal non-discrimination laws, and ensure that every student has access to a quality education free from bias or illegal barriers.

Job Responsibilities

As a General Attorney, your duties will scale with your grade level (GS-11 to GS-13). Generally, you will be expected to:

Evaluate and process civil rights complaints.
Plan and execute complex investigations involving educational institutions.
Conduct exhaustive legal research into civil rights case law and policy.
Negotiate resolutions and monitor compliance agreements.
Provide expert legal counsel to internal staff and external stakeholders.

Comparison of Responsibilities by Grade Level

Feature	GS-11	GS-12	GS-13
Scope	Routine investigations	Complex casework	Subject matter expert
Strategy	Assist with strategy	Lead investigations	Develop national strategy
Guidance	Research-based	Policy application	Authoritative guidance

Requirements

Candidates must hold a law degree and be an active member of the Bar. You must also possess professional legal experience that demonstrates your ability to analyze regulations and communicate clearly with both supervisors and external parties. As this is an excepted service position, you may be subject to a one-year trial period to evaluate your suitability for federal service.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive federal salary ranging from $75,897 to $158,322 per year, depending on your qualifications and grade level. In addition to a stable income, federal employees enjoy:

Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
Student loan repayment program availability.
Generous leave policies and flexible work schedules.
Professional development and training opportunities.

Application Tips

To maximize your chances of success:

Keep your resume concise: Limit it to 2 pages with at least 10-point font.
Focus on experience: Clearly map your past professional experience to the duties listed in the announcement.
Prepare for assessments: You will be required to take the USA Hire assessment, which can take up to three hours. Give yourself adequate time to complete it without interruptions.

Serving as a General Attorney with the Department of Education is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the civil rights of students across the nation. If you are ready to apply your legal expertise to a mission-driven career, we encourage you to submit your application through the official USAJOBS portal.

Why This General Attorney (Civil Rights), Gs-0905-11/12/13 Fpl Gs-13 (Open Continuous) Job Matters

Champion civil rights and shape the future of American education as a General Attorney with the Department of Education.

General Attorney (Civil Rights), Gs-0905-11/12/13 Fpl Gs-13 (Open Continuous) Job Overview

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is seeking dedicated attorneys to join their team in Denver, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Kansas City, or Seattle. This position plays a critical role in enforcing federal civil rights laws that ensure equal access to education, including Title VI, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. You will engage in complex legal research, investigate complaints, and provide authoritative guidance to help ensure educational excellence nationwide.

Requirements for General Attorney (Civil Rights), Gs-0905-11/12/13 Fpl Gs-13 (Open Continuous)

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Active member in good standing of the Bar of any U.S. State, Territory, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
Males born after Dec 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
Must be able to pass a background check and suitability investigation.
One year of specialized professional legal experience at the next lower grade level.
Ability to perform investigative, analytical, and evaluative legal work.
Must reside or be willing to relocate to a listed duty station.

Preferred Qualifications for General Attorney (Civil Rights), Gs-0905-11/12/13 Fpl Gs-13 (Open Continuous)

Experience interpreting and applying Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Strong background in administrative law or educational policy enforcement.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex investigations or negotiate resolution agreements.
Expertise in drafting legal memoranda, findings of fact, and policy guidance.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Student Loan Repayment Program eligibility.
✓Recruitment and relocation incentives for qualified candidates.
✓Work-life balance initiatives including alternative work schedules.
✓Excused leave for parent-teacher conferences and annual health screenings.
✓Federal employee health, retirement, and insurance benefits.
✓Matching leave for community volunteer service.

💡 How to Apply General Attorney (Civil Rights), Gs-0905-11/12/13 Fpl Gs-13 (Open Continuous) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for General Attorney (Civil Rights), Gs-0905-11/12/13 Fpl Gs-13 (Open Continuous) Job

Prepare a resume limited to exactly 2 pages (minimum 10-point font).
Log into your USAJOBS account and initiate the application for the General Attorney position.
Complete the required occupational questionnaire and assessments as prompted.
Submit your full application package before the specified cutoff dates.
Monitor your status via the USAJOBS portal for notifications regarding eligibility and referrals.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume explicitly highlights the required specialized experience for your target GS grade level.
Do not provide narrative KSA responses; your experience will be evaluated through the questionnaire.
If claiming Veterans' Preference, upload your DD-214 and any necessary SF-15 documents promptly.
Set aside at least 3 hours for the required USA Hire assessments.
Tailor your writing sample to demonstrate your ability to analyze complex civil rights issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position open to the public?

Yes, this announcement is open to members of the general public.

Can I substitute education for experience?

Education may be considered for the GS-11 level under specific conditions (LL.M. or superior law student work), but for GS-12 and GS-13, specialized professional experience is mandatory.

What if I have foreign legal education?

Foreign education is accepted if you provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency demonstrating its comparability to a U.S. accredited institution.

Does the agency pay for relocation?

Relocation expenses will not be paid; however, a recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered for some candidates at the agency's discretion.

How often is this position open?

This is an open continuous announcement with specific cutoff dates throughout the year.

Are there remote work options?

This position is eligible for telework as per agency policy, though you must be assigned to one of the physical office locations.

Job from Department Of Education Headquarters

The Office for Civil Rights is a primary division of the Department of Education. Our mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. We enforce laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. By managing critical investigations and policy guidance, the Department of Education ensures that educational institutions receiving federal funds maintain a standard of fairness and compliance.