Director - Office of Education and Sentencing Practice
- Employer
- USAJobs
- Location
- Washington, D.C
- Posted
- Sep 16, 2023
- Closes
- Sep 23, 2023
- Industry
- Government and Public Services, Federal
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Duties
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND SENTENCING PRACTICE
The Office of Education and Sentencing Practice performs the lead role in teaching guideline application to judges, probation officers, prosecuting and defense attorneys, and other criminal justice professionals in all 94 federal districts. In March 2022, the Commission returned to providing in-person training programs. During FY 2022, the Commission conducted 28 in-person training programs attended by more than 1,100 individuals. The Commission also has a robust eLearning schedule and training resources. In FY 2022, the Commission trained more than 3,300 individuals using Adobe Connect to produce live online training sessions. In addition, the Commission's recorded courses were accessed nearly 2,300 times and self-guided eLearning courses were accessed more than 5,000 times.
The staff develops training materials, participates in the sentencing guideline segments of training programs sponsored by other agencies, works in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the US Courts and the Federal Judicial Center to create webcasts and podcasts that are aired on the Commission's website, and helps inform the Commission about current guideline application practices. The office also operates the Helpline, accessible by phone and online, to respond to guideline application questions from guideline practitioners.
DUTIES
The incumbent reports to the Staff Director and has principal staff responsibility for developing and delivering sentencing guidelines training programs for federal judges, probation officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have at least 10 years of demonstrated leadership abilities and extensive management experience which is directly related to the line of work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the duties of this position. Progressively responsible experience in public service or in the private sector which provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects in managing is required.
Applicants must have a law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and membership of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction.
Applicants must have demonstrated work experience related to the mandatory requirements listed below and must address the qualification requirements in an attached cover letter or narrative.
BENEFITS
The Commission participates in the following federal benefits:
In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, and the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.
The Commission is conveniently located next to Union Station on Capitol Hill, and is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Metro, and the MARC and VRE commuter trains. In addition to the federal benefits package, the Commission's location in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building offers various amenities such as a health unit, credit union, day care center, cafeteria, and free on-site fitness center.
The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in 9 workdays.
The Commission offers regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework site.
The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through LinkedIn Learning, and the Judiciary's Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. These training tools assist Commission employees with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.
Education
Applicants must have a law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and membership of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction.
Additional information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND SENTENCING PRACTICE
The Office of Education and Sentencing Practice performs the lead role in teaching guideline application to judges, probation officers, prosecuting and defense attorneys, and other criminal justice professionals in all 94 federal districts. In March 2022, the Commission returned to providing in-person training programs. During FY 2022, the Commission conducted 28 in-person training programs attended by more than 1,100 individuals. The Commission also has a robust eLearning schedule and training resources. In FY 2022, the Commission trained more than 3,300 individuals using Adobe Connect to produce live online training sessions. In addition, the Commission's recorded courses were accessed nearly 2,300 times and self-guided eLearning courses were accessed more than 5,000 times.
The staff develops training materials, participates in the sentencing guideline segments of training programs sponsored by other agencies, works in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the US Courts and the Federal Judicial Center to create webcasts and podcasts that are aired on the Commission's website, and helps inform the Commission about current guideline application practices. The office also operates the Helpline, accessible by phone and online, to respond to guideline application questions from guideline practitioners.
DUTIES
The incumbent reports to the Staff Director and has principal staff responsibility for developing and delivering sentencing guidelines training programs for federal judges, probation officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Developing and executing strategic plans for training judges, probation officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in the Sentencing Guidelines, related federal statutes, rules of procedure related to sentencing, and in sentencing techniques generally.
- Developing, managing, and conducting training seminars, workshops, and programs on federal sentencing for judges, probation officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in various geographic locations.
- Managing a staff of educators in fulfilling the Commission's education and training mission.
- Managing the production and dissemination of training materials in various forms, including in-person training and distance learning.
- As a member of senior staff, advising the Commissioners and Commission staff regarding possible guideline amendments and policies with a particular focus on interpretation and application of proposed amendments and policy changes by guideline users.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have at least 10 years of demonstrated leadership abilities and extensive management experience which is directly related to the line of work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the duties of this position. Progressively responsible experience in public service or in the private sector which provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and human aspects in managing is required.
Applicants must have a law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and membership of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction.
Applicants must have demonstrated work experience related to the mandatory requirements listed below and must address the qualification requirements in an attached cover letter or narrative.
- Effective leadership and management skills in formal and informal leadership roles.
- Expert knowledge of the federal sentencing guidelines, the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, and sentencing-related issues.
- The ability to express, orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers. The incumbent must also possess excellent presentation skills in training sessions, business meetings, and public forums.
- Knowledge of training theory, principles, and best practices, and the ability to design effective methods for training individuals in the application of the federal sentencing guidelines.
- Expert knowledge and experience in interpreting the federal sentencing guidelines, case law, and related data to advise and assist in the drafting and analysis of amendments to the guidelines.
- Ability to serve as a spokesperson for the agency and to develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with a variety of Federal organizations, key individuals, and interest groups.
BENEFITS
The Commission participates in the following federal benefits:
- The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program,
- the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP),
- the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program, federal retirement,
- the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP),
- and the federal leave program.
- In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, and the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.
In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, and the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.
The Commission is conveniently located next to Union Station on Capitol Hill, and is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Metro, and the MARC and VRE commuter trains. In addition to the federal benefits package, the Commission's location in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building offers various amenities such as a health unit, credit union, day care center, cafeteria, and free on-site fitness center.
The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in 9 workdays.
The Commission offers regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework site.
The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through LinkedIn Learning, and the Judiciary's Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. These training tools assist Commission employees with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.
Education
Applicants must have a law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and membership of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a federal court of general jurisdiction.
Additional information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service.
- All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
- Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/ . For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf .
- The Commission participates in E-Verify and will confirm your authorization to work in the United States.
- A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.
- All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.
- All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.
- Applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.