Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The incumbent functions as an Attorney Advisor, well-versed in statutes, orders, rules, and regulations affecting OJP and each component office, and responsible for providing advice to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, Assistant Attorney General, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and the heads of each component office.
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Responsibilities

(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

Provides legal advice on matters arising from the operations of OJP in the areas of grants and cooperative agreements, appropriations, contracts and procurement, privacy and disclosure, employment and labor, and other areas under the purview of OJP and its component offices. Serves as legal advisor on the plans and operations of several related programs or activities. Drafts and/or reviews proposed legislation, regulations, and policies. Prepares written documents including legal memoranda, reports, advisory opinions, and implementation recommendations that effectively analyze the relevant factual and legal issues, explain the application of legal principles and precedents, and justify recommendations or conclusions. Advises on and represents OJP in cases of noncompliance, administrative denials, and other administrative actions under the statutes administered by OJP. Serves as OJP counsel with the Department of Justice litigating divisions and United States Attorneys' Offices on OJP cases in federal court. Represents OJP in labor and employment matters.

Addresses difficult legal questions lacking clearly applicable precedents due to the newness of the program or the novelty of the issue. Replies to requests for legal advice or interpretations of laws and regulations arising out of the day-to-day operations of agency programs.

Participates in task forces and working groups in a specialty area. Serves on inter- and intra-agency committees, and attends meetings to provide legal advice related to a variety of policy matters.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
• Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
• Pre-employment drug testing required.

This appointment is subject to completion of a 2-year trial period.

This position requires the incumbent to be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction).

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements for All Applicants:
All applicants must:
1. Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school, and
2. Be an active member of the bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Grade 14:
In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-14 level, applicants must also have at least 2 years of post J.D. / LL.B. legal experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Grade 15:
In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must also have at least 4 years of post J.D. / LL.B. legal experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Click here to see the full Qualifications Statement.

Education

See Other Information.

Additional information

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.

OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.

Relocation expenses may be authorized.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
1. Cover letter;
2. Resume and/or work history profile;
3. Responses to the Online Assessment Questionnaire;
4. Writing Sample (5-10 pages);
5. Unofficial Law School Transcripts, reflecting the J.D. / LL.B degree (official transcripts will be required if selected).
6. Proof of Bar membership, in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

NOTE FOR VETERANS:
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10- Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting documents). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of non-service connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance appraisal, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.

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.