EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY/ADVISOR POSITION (GS-0905 -13/14/15)
ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES (OCDETF)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON , D.C.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 09-CRM-OCDETF-042
About the Office: The OCDETF Program is a cross‑cutting, multi‑agency approach to strategic counter‑drug enforcement. The centerpiece of the Department's counter‑narcotics strategy, it is a nationwide Program that combines the resources and expertise of its member agencies in concentrated, long‑term criminal investigations and prosecutions designed to attack and destroy major narcotics trafficking and money laundering organizations. OCDETF’s participating agencies are: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Criminal Division; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division; U.S. Coast Guard; United States Attorneys' Offices; and numerous State and local law enforcement agencies. OCDETF agents and prosecutors throughout the United States handle complex investigations and prosecutions of the highest-level drug traffickers and money launderers who are responsible for the flood of illegal drugs into the United States and the violence generated by the drug trade.
By their nature, most, if not all, OCDETF investigations and prosecutions involve complex or sensitive investigative and prosecutive tools, such as electronic surveillance, immunized or protected witnesses, subpoenas or search warrants requiring specialized approvals, or foreign evidence. Moreover, OCDETF mandates that all investigations include a financial component and make full use of financial investigative techniques, including enforcement of Title 18 and 31 money laundering and currency statutes, the tax laws, and applicable asset forfeiture provisions. Agents and prosecutors who handle OCDETF cases are on the cutting edge of law and practice and need to be supported with appropriate policy guidance, program support, and comprehensive training opportunities that are specifically geared to their needs.
Responsibilities and Opportunities Offered: The attorney selected will be employed by the Executive Office for OCDETF but may be detailed as an OCDETF Threat Response Unit Attorney to such OCDETF component offices as may be appropriate, at the discretion of the OCDETF Director. The initial assignment will be to the OCDETF Executive Office with responsibilities for policy development, program management, liaison with the law enforcement and intelligence community, and training. The attorney will work in conjunction with other members of the OCDETF Executive Office and with the OCDETF Regional Coordination Committees, the OCDETF District Committees and Lead Task Force Attorneys, the OCDETF Financial Investigative Contractors and Analyst/Auditors, the OCDETF Co-located Strike Forces, the OCDETF Fusion Center, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, the Office of Legal Education, and various components of the Criminal Division, such as the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs
The attorney selected will be required to analyze policies, resource needs, and program performance indicators and to identify legal and policy ramifications; to prepare talking points and background materials and prepare and present reports and/or briefings on the state of the OCDETF Program and specific OCDETF initiatives; to assist in the development and presentation of budget submissions and reprogramming requests; and to represent the program at various agency meetings and conferences. The attorney will also coordinate the development and implementation of training in various subjects, including electronic surveillance, advanced narcotics issues, financial investigations, and asset forfeiture.
Required qualifications: Interested parties must possess a J.D., degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least three years federal post-J.D. experience. Applicants must also have solid academic credentials; excellent writing and presentation skills; strong interpersonal skills; and experience in the training of, and development of professional training for, prosecutors and agents. Experience in the field of criminal law is required. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Preferred qualifications: Applicants should also possess strong background in criminal prosecution, including long‑term, complex narcotics and money laundering investigations; experience with electronic surveillance and related legal issues; strong experience in conducting domestic and international financial investigations; and familiarity with federal investigative agencies.
Travel: Periodic travel, sometimes on short notice, is required.
Salary Information: Grade and salary range is GS-13 to GS-15 ($86,927 to $153,200), depending on current salary and experience (includes locality pay). (See OPM’s Web page at www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/index.asp)
Location: Washington, DC.Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, brief writing sample, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), and a current performance appraisal (if applicable) to:
Lisa Mchich, Chief of Staff
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
United States Department of Justice
601 D Street, NW, Suite 9229
Washington, DC 20530
We encourage applications and resumes submitted by e-mail to Lisa.Mchich@usdoj.gov. Applications and resumes may also be faxed to (202) 305-4017.
This vacancy announcement will remain open until the position is filled.
Internet Sites: This and other attorney vacancy announcements can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/attvacancies.html
Department Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status , disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. 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 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 and Review and the United States Attorney’s 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.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 are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.