Special Adviser Jobs
Special Adviser jobs are open across government, consulting, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, from entry-level policy roles to senior principal positions, with specializations in communications strategy, regulatory affairs, and executive counsel. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Summary
About the position: Serves as an Attorney-Adviser (General) in the DHA Office of General Counsel.
This position is located in Fort Detrick, MD.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Duties
- Serve as Associate General Counsel in DHA Office of General Counsel
- Provide legal advisory in the area of contract law, including contract financing, formation, administration, litigation and close-out
- Review complex contractual documents and provisions for legal sufficiency and compliance with laws, regulations and policies
- Examine and coordinate acquisition plans, justifications, final decisions, correspondence, and other documents
- Provide final legal reviews on solicitations, contracts and modifications
- Serve as lead attorney in charge of preparation and presentation of contract cases
- Prepare legal briefs and other materials in representing the DHA on contract claims and matters
- Participates in negotiations involving contractual disputes and complex legal questions
- Render written and oral opinions to staff and procurement officials on extremely complex and difficult issues of fact and law regarding the legality and enforceability of contracts
- Participates in formal and informal training on contracting/acquisition matters
- Provide legal advice and review on the planning, negotiation, award, administration and close-out of other transactions supporting medical research, prototype development and follow-on production.
- Legal advisor for assistance agreement portfolio, including grants and cooperative agreements, providing counsel on program authorities, funding opportunities, award selection, negotiation, administration and closeout.
- Render written and oral opinions on fiscal law matters for medical research and development, including the availability of appropriations as to purpose, time, amount, funding obligations and expenditures, and compliance with the Antideficiency Act.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Employee must file an OGE-450 Financial Disclosure Statement
- Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
- Must be a graduate of a law school possessing the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a State or District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or a U.S. commonwealth.
- Business travel may be required up to 5% of the time.
Qualifications
Applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position:
- Skill in identifying contracting and acquisition legal issues
- Skill in acquisition hearings practice.
- Skill in oral and written advocacy.
- Ability to effectively, professionally, and ethically manage a heavy caseload of clients with complex legal needs.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. Time-in grade may be waived for current federal employees at management's discretion.
The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration:
Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD).
Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three months of the date the application is submitted. If the document has been ordered, but not arrived, you may provide a screenshot of your certificate (clearly showing a time/date within the last 90 days) which validates your active status.
Experience Required for the NH-04: Applicant must have three (3) or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the Bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
- You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
- A two-year trial period may be required if new to federal service.
- Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
- If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances are not authorized.
- You may claim military spouse preference.
- Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
- If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
- Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
- OGE-450 required
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application package (resume and supporting documents) will be evaluated for basic qualification requirements and for the skills needed to perform the duties of the position, as described in this vacancy announcement and identified by the Selecting Official.
Veteran's preference requirements do not apply to attorney positions in the excepted service, however the principles of veteran's preference will be followed to the extent which is administratively feasible.
Time in Grade: The Qualifying Authorities (QA's) will make a determination as to the applicability of time in grade based on the requirements of the position. If you are currently employed as an attorney by the Federal government you must have completed one year at the next lower grade level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade level as the position being filled.
Required Documents
The following documents are required to be submitted as part of your application package.
If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume: Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.NOTE: The maximum number of pages accepted for a resume is TWO pages. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
2. Law school transcripts: This position has an individual occupational requirement for education. You MUST submit a copy of your transcript(s) with your application package, or you may be rated ineligible. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but official transcripts will be required prior to entry on duty. See: Transcripts and Licenses
3. Certificate of Good Standing: Certificate of good standing from the Bar of a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States (e.g., American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), or the District of Columbia. Document should be dated within three (3) months of the date the application is submitted. Document should be dated within three (3) months of the date the application is submitted. If the document has been ordered, but not arrived, you may provide a screenshot of your certificate (clearly showing a time/date within the last 90 days) which validates your current, active status.
4. Other supporting documents:
- Writing sample of 3-5 pages, including the analysis of a legal issue (highly desired).
- Self-certified statement of fitness to practice law (highly desired). The statement should state under oath that your fitness to practice law has never been challenged in any jurisdiction. The statement must be dated within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement. If fitness has been challenged, you must provide a sworn statement in detail as to the circumstances.
- Cover Letter, optional.
- Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable.
- Veterans documents, if applicable.
- Permanent change of station (PCS) orders and marriage license, if claiming military spouse preference.
- OGE-450 (Financial Disclosure Statement)
- Time-in-grade documentation: If you are applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
- The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/20/2026 to receive consideration
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13113377).
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- NOTE: The maximum number of pages accepted for a resume is TWO pages. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
- It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
- Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center..
Agency contact information
DO NOT MAIL
Falls Church, VA 22042
US
Next steps
If you have questions regarding this job posting please visit: https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq and complete the online submission form. To expedite the process please include the Job announcement number, which can be found at the top, right hand side of the job announcement.
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
Overview
- 0905 Attorney
- National security
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Find Special Adviser JobsSpecial Adviser Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special adviser jobs.
- Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders or executives on policy, strategy, or communications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills including briefings, memos, and presentations
- Deep subject-matter expertise in at least one domain such as regulatory affairs, public policy, or strategy
- Ability to synthesize complex information quickly and deliver clear, actionable recommendations under time pressure
- Bachelor's degree required, with a master's or law degree preferred for senior and principal-level positions
- Experience managing stakeholder relationships across internal teams, external partners, or government agencies
Tips for Your Special Adviser Job Search
Tailor your resume to the advisory context
Special adviser roles reward demonstrated influence over outcomes, not just participation. Reframe your bullet points to show how your counsel shaped a decision, shifted a policy, or moved a stakeholder, not just what you analyzed or recommended.
Highlight domain expertise before soft skills
Hiring managers for special adviser roles screen for subject-matter credibility first. Lead your resume summary with your specific area of expertise, regulatory, communications, legislative, or sector-specific, before listing interpersonal or leadership strengths.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists special adviser openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target organizations undergoing change
Special advisers are hired most urgently during transitions: new leadership, legislative shifts, restructuring, or public scrutiny. Prioritize openings at organizations that have recently changed direction, faced scrutiny, or are scaling a new initiative.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Expect interviewers to present a live problem and ask how you'd advise on it. Practice walking through your reasoning out loud: what information you'd gather, whose interests you'd weigh, and what recommendation you'd make and why.
Negotiate scope before title or compensation
In advisory roles, your authority to act on your counsel matters as much as pay. Before accepting an offer, clarify directly who you'll advise, what decisions you'll influence, and whether you'll have a seat in the room when those decisions are made.
Special Adviser Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most special advisers?
US Defense Health Agency, US Department of State Headquarters, and Mt. Hood Community College are hiring the most special advisers right now, with openings concentrated in District of Columbia, New York, and Utah, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is highest in organizations with active public affairs, regulatory, or executive strategy functions.
How many special adviser jobs are remote?
About 59% of special adviser openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by sector. Communications strategy and policy advisory roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions tied to executive offices or in-person government affairs work are more likely to require on-site presence.
How do you become a special adviser?
Build deep expertise in a specific domain first, whether that's public policy, regulatory affairs, communications, or sector strategy. Work in roles where you counsel decision-makers directly, accumulate evidence that your advice changed outcomes, and develop a network in your target sector. Most special advisers move into the role from a subject-matter or operational background, not from generalist paths.
How do you get hired as a special adviser with little experience?
Start by targeting advisory-adjacent roles such as policy analyst, communications associate, or strategy coordinator, where you support senior advisers and build a record of contributing to decisions. Seek out organizations in transition, startups, nonprofits in growth mode, or newly elected offices, where advisory responsibilities are shared and less gatekept. Demonstrating sound judgment on small decisions is how most early-career advisers earn larger roles.
What does the special adviser interview process look like?
Most processes include an initial screening focused on domain expertise, followed by a substantive interview where you're asked to work through a real or hypothetical advisory scenario. Senior roles often add a written exercise, a presentation to a panel, or a conversation with the executive you'd advise. References are weighted heavily because hiring managers are trusting you with access and influence.
Where can I find and apply to special adviser jobs?
You can find and apply to special adviser jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your expertise and apply directly to each listing.
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