Legal Careers
Attorney Advisor (Division Counsel - Public and Government Affairs)
ATF is a unique law enforcement agency in the United States Department of Justice that protects our communities from acts of terrorism, violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public we serve through information sharing, training, research, and use of technology.
The incumbent is assigned to the Associate Chief Counsel (Law and Policy Division (LP)). The incumbent serves as legal advisor to Public and Governmental Affairs (PGA) management officials, to include the Assistant Director (AD) and Deputy Assistant Director (DAD), PGA and all PGA divisions’ management staff including the Chief of the Legislative Affairs Division, Chief of the Public Affairs Division, Chief of the Disclosure Division, and Chief of the Intergovernmental Affairs Division. The incumbent provides expert legal advice on complex and difficult issues relating to drafting, interpretation, application of legislation, regulations, orders, decisions or other legal instruments.
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.
Incumbent serves as liaison between PGA and CC, and is responsible for timely informing the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel, Senior Policy Counsel, and applicable Associate Chief Counsels of significant matters that affect ATF and/or the Office of the Chief Counsel.
Incumbent participates with management in policy formulation, advises on the potential public reaction to proposed policies, and plans, organizes and evaluates communication strategies, programs, and services.
Incumbent reviews incoming requests, and coordinates the review of ATF' s responses to such requests and/or comments on legislation and other matters submitted to PGA, or circulated to PGA by the Executive Secretariat. Incumbent ensures such responses are consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, rulings, directives, and DOJ/ATF policy.
Incumbent drafts required legal documents and coordinates the review of ATF' s responses to Congressional inquiries, and ensures they are consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, rulings, directives, and DOJ/ATF policy.
Incumbent drafts and coordinates the review of briefing papers, talking points, questions and answers, and press releases, and ensures they are consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, rulings, directives, and DOJ/ATF policy.
Incumbent reviews and coordinates the review of testimony of the Director and executive staff, and ensures testimony is consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, rulings, directives, and DOJ/ATF policy.
Incumbent researches active and closed ATF cases to ensure adequate understanding of the facts.
Specialized Experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience required for this position is legal experience in excess of six years commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Specialized experience for this position includes:
Expertise in subject matter areas of particular value to ATF and has a thorough understanding of duties and responsibilities handled by the Field Operations and Information Division and Public and Governmental Affairs directorate.
Demonstration of original thinking, mature judgment, and sound reasoning are continually required as new problems of law, policy and procedures are presented for solution.
Demonstrated ability to provide legal advice on the laws enforced by ATF, including the Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, and the Federal laws related to arson and explosives.
Demonstrated ability to provide legal guidance and advice on matters of general criminal law (e.g., laws governing search and seizure, electronic surveillance, custodial interrogations, undercover operations, use of force).
Superior analytical, written and communication skills.
Must provide a writing sample (no more than 15 pages).
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
In addition, all applicants, must be active members in good standing of the bar of any state or territory, or the District of Columbia.
All applicants must meet all qualifications requirements described in this announcement by the closing date.
The how to apply instructions can be found in VA #15-EXC-322-EMH on USAJOBS.OPM.GOV.
All applications and resume must be submitted on-line through USAJOBS under vacancy announcement number 15-EXC-322-EMH.
All application must be received by August 3, 2015 midnight on the closing date of this announcement.
If you have questions or are unable to submit your application through USAJOBS, please contact Ella Hathaway, Human Resources Specialist, at (202) 648-8835.
Internet sites: http://www.atf.gov/content/Careers/careers-at-ATF (use this internet site to access the on-line application in USAJOBS). This and other attorney vacancy announcements with the Department of Justice can be found at http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/vacancies.
$126,245.00 to $158,700.00 / Per Year
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 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.
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.
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.
Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
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.
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).
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.
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.