(CNN) The Justice Department's senior-most career attorney, Associate Deputy Attorney General Scott Schools, is stepping down for a job in the private sector.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the official announcement Tuesday afternoon that Schools' last day would be Friday.

"Scott has provided invaluable leadership and counsel in his years at the Department, and his service is an example to all," Sessions said in a statement. "He will be greatly missed, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Schools works under Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and has had a significant role helping manage special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

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