Duties

This position is based in Washington, D.C. A remote location outside of Washington DC may be considered on a case by case basis.

The incumbent is primarily responsible for handling of all of the Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit's review functions pertaining to civil and criminal forfeiture and money laundering litigation. The incumbent also provides training, support, and policy guidance related to asset forfeiture and money laundering matters. As an Attorney Advisor, the incumbent:

• Reviews and prepares recommendations to the Chief of MLARS and the Deputy Attorney General with respect to proposed settlements in civil and criminal forfeiture cases.
• Reviews and prepares recommendations to the Assistant Attorney General with respect to authorization for USAOs or other Department of Justice litigating units to initiate or settle matters involving the forfeiture of monies or assets transferred to attorneys as fees for legal services, including authorization to issue subpoenas to attorneys to obtain fee information, to issue written notice of the government's intention to seek forfeiture of an asset transferred to an attorney, or to exempt a transferred asset from forfeiture.
• Reviews and prepares recommendations to the Chief of MLARS with respect to requests from USAOs for an exemption from the Department's seized cash management policy to permit the retention of seized cash for evidentiary purposes.
• Provides legal, policy, and practical guidance and support to Assistant U.S. Attorneys and other Department of Justice attorneys and agents on questions of law and Departmental policy related to asset forfeiture and money laundering, including assisting them in developing settlement agreements, and resolving issues pertaining to forfeiture of funds paid to or held by attorneys.
• Reviews and prepares recommendations for modifications to Department of Justice policies, regulations, and publications pertaining to asset forfeiture and money laundering, including the Asset Forfeiture Policy Manual and the Justice Manual.
• Provides forfeiture support to other Sections of the Criminal Division, including drafting and/or reviewing seizure warrants, restraining orders, criminal forfeiture allegations, indictments, and other pleadings.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with partners at the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, other litigating components and offices, and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
• Advises and instructs federal agents and prosecutors on complicated questions of law and Departmental policy related to the Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit's mission.
• Provides asset forfeiture and money laundering training to other federal prosecutors, federal, state and local law enforcement, and international partners.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position.
• You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.
• All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please see "Next Steps" for additional information.
• You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications : Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Grade Specific Qualifications: To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications : The incumbent plays an essential role in the Department's fight against money laundering and its effort to forfeit criminal proceeds. The incumbent serves in a unique position to function in a highly independent manner to draft and review proposed forfeiture settlements for approval by the Chief of MLARS and/or the Deputy Attorney General. In addition, the incumbent assesses and addresses the training and development needs of the asset forfeiture community as a whole and of offices and components individually. The role requires a seasoned trial attorney with at least 10 years of both civil and criminal trial experience in forfeiture, a deep knowledge of substantive forfeiture and money laundering law, substantial experience with training and presentation on forfeiture and financial tracing, and an ability to effectively communicate and explain concepts.

The position requires admission to a bar (to be maintained in good standing); willingness and ability to master concepts, principles, laws, regulations, and practices relating to domestic and international prosecution of complex cases; mastery of clear and persuasive writing; mastery of concise and informative oral presentation; and a high order of skill in analytical and legal reasoning. Furthermore, the position requires experience and/or a strong interest in taking a leadership role in advancing the Department's forfeiture and money laundering programs by reviewing proposed forfeiture settlements, and assessing and addressing training and development needs for individuals and organizations. A high degree of diplomacy, integrity, and tact is essential in dealing with Districts regarding proposed forfeiture settlements, and coordinating training initiatives and conducting outreach efforts, as well as the ability and commitment to build expertise and capability in money laundering and forfeiture law and practice, training, and communication.

Education

A J.D., or equivalent, degree.

Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than a J.D. may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement to fill vacancies that occur subsequent to this announcement.

An in-person interview in Washington, D.C. may be required for this position prior to final selection. The cost of travel to the interview site will be the responsibility of the applicant unless otherwise stated. Reasonable accommodation requests will be considered on an individual basis as requested by a person with a disability. Declining an invitation to interview may remove you from further consideration.

The Criminal Division participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program ( E-Verify ). E-Verify helps employers to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .