Legal Careers
Director
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
The Office of International Affairs' (OIA) responsibilities include securing the return of fugitives from foreign countries; obtaining foreign evidence and other assistance needed for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses; and meeting the United States' reciprocal obligations to return foreign fugitives and obtain evidence for foreign prosecutors and judicial authorities. In addition, OIA is responsible for the negotiation of bilateral and multilateral law enforcement treaties and for representing the United States' law enforcement interests in various international fora. OIA also plays a significant role in the development and implementation of policy relating to international criminal law, practice and coordination with foreign authorities. OIA supports the Attorney General and other Department leaders in developing and maintaining relations with foreign counterparts. OIA serves as the primary adviser and point of contact for all U.S. prosecutors --federal, state and local --seeking assistance from foreign law enforcement authorities, and works in close coordination with federal law enforcement agencies, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. intelligence community.
OIA currently has a staff of approximately 100 people, of which nearly 60 are attorneys, and a pending caseload of more than 8,500 extradition and mutual assistance cases, with approximately 5,000 new cases opened each year. Its main office in Washington, D.C. is presently organized into regional teams handling bilateral cases in specific geographic regions and teams handling litigation and legal policy, and legislation and treaty affairs. OIA also has attorneys stationed at eight U.S. embassies overseas.
OIA is in the process of restructuring to meet the needs of the Department's growing international caseload across a broad spectrum of criminal activity, including transnational organized crime, cybercrime, corruption and sophisticated financial fraud in the global marketplace. OIA is also in the process of re-designing and implementing a streamlined process to address an increasing number of foreign requests for legal assistance to help our foreign partners fight crime and terrorism. Specifically, OIA is designing a centralized process using new technology, and restructuring and expanding existing teams for intake, review and implementation of foreign requests.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
The incumbent of this position serves as the Director of OIA within the Criminal Division. The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General overseeing OIA. The Director:
- Develops and implements strategies to ensure OIA is structured to meet the needs of the Department's growing international caseload and to address the increasing number of foreign requests for legal assistance, including the design and implementation of streamlined processes for handling mutual legal assistance requests and other functions.
- Motivates attorneys and staff to achieve goals and objectives --with quality results and customer service --despite substantial caseloads and limited resources.
- Oversees litigation in U.S. and foreign courts of extradition and mutual legal assistance cases and related issues.
- Oversees the development of policy and procedural guidance to address developments in foreign and U.S. law in international criminal practice.
- Directly supervises attorneys in the provision of legal advice to U.S. prosecutors and agents, both federal and state, regarding obtaining fugitives and evidence from abroad.
- Develops effective relationships with the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and federal law enforcement agencies involved in international cases, as well as with foreign law enforcement counterparts.
- Participates in and directs the negotiation of bilateral and multilateral law enforcement treaties and ensures that negotiations promote the law enforcement priorities of the United States. Establishes regular consultations with most active treaty partners to assure effective implementation of treaties and resolution of recurrent problems.
- Represents OIA on undercover and sensitive case review boards of federal law enforcement agencies. Handles sensitive case matters involving critical foreign policy interests, intelligence and national security matters, and other law enforcement interests.
- Represents OIA and the Criminal Division at intra-departmental and interagency meetings, and briefings for Congressional staff and members. Represents the Department of Justice at international meetings. Briefs the Attorney General and other Department leadership on international issues and law enforcement relations with particular countries.
- Develops and leads programs for training and outreach to federal, state and foreign prosecutors and agents and police on issues including tools for securing international cooperation and legal and policy guidance.
- Develops budget and resource requirements for OIA and provides necessary justifications. Makes recommendations to Criminal Division leadership on staffing and hiring. Reviews programs to identify needs for improvements in quality, timeliness and/or productivity. Monitors and evaluates plans and measures attainment of outcomes and performance. Identifies and analyzes problems; obtains, maintains, reports and uses reliable and timely information for decision making; and provides solutions to organizational problems. Ensures best use of scarce resources and promotes accountability and efficiency.
- Provides strong advocacy and commitment to the Criminal Division's priorities concerning workforce diversity and equal employment opportunity. Affirms merit promotion principles in all aspects of personnel recruitment, selection, development and performance management.
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 U.S. jurisdiction) in good standing and have at least five years post-J.D. experience. Applicants must also have a high level of management/supervisory experience.
You must submit a resume and a separate narrative statement/response that addresses each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements 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
Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements:
1. Experience in federal criminal practice and sophisticated criminal prosecutions and investigations involving international issues and related interagency coordination.
2. Experience leading and managing a large organization, including guiding it through significant change.
3. Working knowledge of key national goals and priorities regarding international cooperation in criminal and/or national security cases.
4. Experience in representing an organization at meetings with foreign counterparties, and strong negotiating and conflict resolution skills.
Candidates will be evaluated on the mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements identified above. 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 below.
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 & 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
To receive consideration, applicants must submit:
1. A resume
2. A separate statement addressing each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements.
3. 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.
4. 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.
**Preference is to receive an application via e-mail at SES.CRMJOBS@USDOJ.GOV.
Applications being mailed should be sent to*:
Department of Justice/Criminal Division
Attn: Kimberly Jackson
Human Capital Staff
1331 F. Street, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20530
*As all incoming U.S. mail must be processed at a remote facility prior to final delivery, to avoid delay in receipt, it is highly recommended that applicants use Federal Express.
For additional information, please call:
CONTACT: Kimberly Jackson
CONTACT PHONE: 202-598-2232
E-MAIL: SES.CRMJOBS@USDOJ.GOV
DEADLINE DATE: All applications (including mailed applications) MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM EST on the CLOSING DATE: September 25, 2015.
The managerial qualifications of a selectee who is not a current or former career OPM approved Senior Executive Service (SES) employee must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before appointment. In addition, individuals entering the SES career service for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period.
$121,956 to $183,300* *SES pay is determined within the pay range, commensurate with experience, superior leadership qualifications, and/or other competencies consistent with the agency mission, contingent on Department pay-setting rules.
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Department Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity: 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 race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based 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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
Reasonable Accommodations: 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.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: 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. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is 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. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
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 document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-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 their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. 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.