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Deputy Chief, Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Aug 2, 2019
Duties

Summary

The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) investigates and prosecutes international crime cases involving human rights violators, human smuggling organizations and extraterritorial violent crime over which the U.S. has jurisdiction. HRSP attorneys work with virtually all federal law enforcement agencies, and cases are brought in partnership with U.S. Attorney's Offices around the country or by the section alone.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The principal Deputy Chief of HRSP works on a full spectrum of supervisory, litigation, investigative, and policy-related matters, including:
  • Supervises the conduct of investigations, the preparation and review of indictments, and the litigation carried on by the attorneys and staff of the Section. Directly supervises the deputy chiefs, and oversees prosecutions conducted by Section attorneys and, when appropriate, coordinates with U.S. Attorneys on prosecutions conducted by U.S. Attorneys' Offices.
  • Reviews regularly the work of Section attorneys, analyzes and evaluates investigative reports, legal opinions and advisory materials, and prepares memoranda recommending prosecution or advising against it. Assists prosecutors and law enforcement in developing their strategies and capabilities in high-profile and sensitive investigations and prosecutions. Serves as a leading expert and advisor to other components within the Department regarding cases.
  • Consults with other Criminal Division components, as well as other Department officials, in coordinating the functions and policies of the Section with those of the Department as a whole.
  • Advises and assists the Section Chief, the Assistant Attorney General, and other policy makers within the Department and within the United States government concerning legal, policy, and administrative questions related to the Section's portfolios and to the management of the Section.
  • Oversees major domestic and international programs relating to HRSP's portfolios.
  • Formulates and implements effective strategies to develop significant investigations and cases and to foster a climate that enhances and sustains operational excellence.
  • Develops effective relationships with federal law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorneys' Offices, as well as with foreign counterparts and non-governmental organizations.
  • Oversees the development of policy and procedural guidance to support the Section's work in all portfolios, to anticipate and address developments in U.S. and foreign law, and to devise and seek additional law enforcement tools and resources through legislative and other means as appropriate.
  • Represents HRSP, the Criminal Division and the Department of Justice at intra-departmental and interagency meetings and at briefings for Congressional staff. Represents the Department of Justice at international meetings.
  • Demonstrates strong advocacy for and commitment to the Division's priorities concerning workforce diversity and equal employment opportunity. Supports merit promotion principles in all aspects of recruitment, selection, development, and performance management. Serves occasionally on various hiring committees to attract highly qualified applicants to the Division.
  • Oversees the administrative functioning of the office.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Some travel will be required.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
  • If the selectee is not a current employee of the Offices, Boards, or Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice, he/she will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • The managerial qualifications of a selectee who is not a current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employee must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before appointment.
  • Individuals entering the SES career service for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period.


Qualifications

Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) in good standing and have at least 5 years post-J.D. experience. Applicants must also have a high level of management/supervisory experience.

Applicants must submit a resume and a separate narrative statement/response that addresses each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification factors related to this position as well as the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) related to all positions in the Senior Executive Service.

OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications can assist you in writing an effective SES application. In particular, please note the Challenge-Context-Action-Result Model that is recommended and very helpful when drafting ECQ narrative responses. The Guide is available on OPM's Website at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/guidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf .

Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in investigating and trying complex Federal criminal cases, including experience with cases relevant to HRSP's portfolios;
  • Experience in supervising the development and prosecution of Federal criminal cases and supervising attorneys performing such work; and
  • Experience establishing productive relationships and leading teams/partnerships with diverse law enforcement, federal officials and international partners in litigation and policy matters.
  • Executive/Managerial Requirements:

    ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE . This core qualification encompasses the ability to develop and implement an organizational vision, which integrates key national and program goals, priorities, values, and other factors. Inherent to it is the ability to balance change and continuity--to continually strive to improve customer service and program performance within the basic Government framework, to create a work environment that encourages creative thinking, and to maintain focus, intensity and persistence, even under adversity.
    • Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, Continual Learning, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Service Motivation, Strategic Thinking, Vision
    ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE . This core qualification involves the ability to design and implement strategies, which maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals.
    • Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Cultural Awareness, Integrity/Honesty, Team Building
    ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN . This core qualification stresses accountability and continuous improvement. It includes the ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of programs and policies.
    • Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility
    ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN . This core qualification involves the ability to acquire and administer human, financial, material, and information resources in a manner which instills public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission, and to use new technology to enhance decision making.
    • Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Technology Management, Human Resources Management
    ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS . This core qualification involves the ability to explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. It also involves the ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations, and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.
    • Leadership Competencies: Influencing/Negotiating, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Partnering, Political Savvy, Written Communication


    Education

    Additional information

    The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a parent, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, on the basis of personal favoritism, or any non merit factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys' Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    Candidates will be evaluated on the mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements identified above. Based on their total background, i.e., education, training, self-development, awards, outside activities, performance appraisal, as well as work history. If candidates are found to possess all technical requirements, they will then be evaluated based on the Executive Core Qualifications as established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) outlined above.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Sensitive Compartmented Information

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Required Documents

    To receive consideration, applicants must submit:
  • A resume
  • A separate statement addressing each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements.
  • A separate statement addressing each ECQ that describes your managerial experience. While individuals who are current or former career SES members (approved by OPM and have completed an initial probationary period) need not submit an Executive Core Qualifications statement, they are required to provide an SF-50 or SES certificate to demonstrate their current or prior service. Otherwise, the absence of ECQs will be identified as a failure to comply with the requirements of the vacancy. Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • If you are a current or recent Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) and a performance appraisal issued within the past 12 months, or if none exists, please include a statement to that effect.


  • 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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