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Senior Attorney - Training

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jun 21, 2019
Duties

Summary

The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director and the Director of ESP, and provides training and assistance to probation officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges on the federal sentencing guidelines and related sentencing issues. The incumbent performs a variety of tasks and responsibilities dealing with federal sentencing, in general, and the federal sentencing guidelines, in particular.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position requires moderate to frequent travel within the 50 states and territories of the United States.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Training judges, probation officers, law clerks, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in federal sentencing guidelines, practice, and law.
  • Developing visual training materials on sentencing guidelines.
  • Researching and analyzing statutes, proposed legislation, and case law related to sentencing or criminal procedures.
  • Acting as a resource for other unit staff in resolution of sentencing-related issues.
  • In consultation with the Director of ESP, identifying sentencing guideline provisions in need of amendment.
  • Participating on policy teams that develop and draft proposed guideline amendments. Reviewing proposed amendments for presentation to the Commissioners, in consultation with multi-disciplinary policy teams and the Commission's Office of General Counsel.
  • Participating in or leading staff working groups that focus on new legislation, sentencing guideline amendments, and other sentencing issues.
  • Participating as a Commission representative at professional conferences.
  • Completing other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director or Director of ESP, or by the Staff Director.


Travel Required

50% or less - This position requires moderate to frequent travel within the 50 states and territories of the United States.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen, subject to the exceptions enumerated at https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary
  • Selectee must favorably complete a background investigation.
  • All requirements must be met for full consideration.


Qualifications

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 separate narrative statement.
  • Experience or demonstrated aptitude as a trainer or instructor of graduate-level or adult learners in the legal field.
  • Knowledge of federal criminal law, both substantive and procedural.
  • Experience conducting legal research related to criminal law or sentencing involving analysis of statutes, proposed legislation, case law, and governmental and private reports. Excellent legal analysis, writing, and editing skills. 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.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels as well as with key individuals in a variety of other federal organizations and interest groups.
  • Expertise in federal sentencing law and guideline application.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
  • Applicants must possess a law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member 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 a minimum of five years of legal experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
  • Applicants must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact successfully with staff at all levels. Good organization and planning skills are a must.
  • Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level of the grade for which they are applying. For example, to qualify for the GS-15, one year of specialized experience must have been at the GS-14 level or equivalent.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Highly competitive applicants will have the following:
  • Knowledge of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 and the functions of the Commission.
  • Experience as a trial or appellate attorney in federal court, or law firm experience.

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 separate narrative statement.
  • Experience or demonstrated aptitude as a trainer or instructor of graduate-level or adult learners in the legal field.
  • Knowledge of federal criminal law, both substantive and procedural.
  • Experience conducting legal research related to criminal law or sentencing involving analysis of statutes, proposed legislation, case law, and governmental and private reports. Excellent legal analysis, writing, and editing skills. 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.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels as well as with key individuals in a variety of other federal organizations and interest groups.
  • Expertise in federal sentencing law and guideline application.


Education

Applicants must possess a law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member 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 citizenship requirements for employment by the judiciary can be found at: https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary . 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
  • 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.
  • If appointed to a temporary position, management may have the discretion of converting the position to permanent depending upon funding and staffing allocation.


How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.

The Office of Human Resources:
  • Reviews the applicant's application to ensure the proper materials are submitted.
  • Ensures that the application addresses all of the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement.
  • Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the particular position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application.


Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume


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.

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