Legal Careers
Director
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
The incumbent of this position serves as Director, Office of Enforcement Operations and reports directly through the cognizant Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) and to the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) within the Criminal Division. OEO provides investigative and prosecutorial support, legal advice, and statutorily required review/approval in a myriad of subject areas that mirror the changing nature of the Attorney General's priorities as reflected in the work of the federal law enforcement community and the United States Attorney's Offices. The incumbent also serves as the Director of the Federal Witness Security Program.
OEO oversees the use of the most sophisticated investigative tools at the Federal Government's disposal. Among the investigative and prosecutorial support services that OEO provides are reviewing all federal requests to intercept wire, oral, and most types of electronic communications; authorizing or denying the entry of applicants into the Witness Security Program and coordinating and administering among all components matters relating to the Program; reviewing and deciding applications for transfer made through the International Prisoner Transfer Program and serving as liaison between government agencies with an interest in this program; and coordinating requests to immunize witnesses, subpoena attorneys, or search the offices of attorneys who are suspects or targets of an investigation.
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 Director, Office of Enforcement Operations:
· Oversees one of the largest components within the Criminal Division and plays a vital role in implementing the Attorney General's Strategic Plan and performance goals that relate to investigating high-technology crimes, reducing narcotics trafficking and violent crime, dismantling organized crime and violent street gangs, and conducting counterterrorism investigations with the use of sensitive investigative techniques.
· Provides the U.S. Attorney's Offices, various Justice Department components, and federal law enforcement agencies with a wide range of prosecutorial and investigative support services, including legal advice involving myriad federal criminal laws and regulations, statutorily required reviews/approvals, and oversight of the use of the most sophisticated investigative tools, including electronic surveillance, the Federal Witness Security Program, grants of immunity to witnesses, and special administrative measures imposed on persons in federal custody. Assists in developing Department policy on emerging technologies and telecommunications issues; improves federal-state collaboration and the exchange of information on emerging technologies and telecommunications issues.
· Reviews, comments on the implications of, and makes recommendations with respect to new and proposed changes in legislation relating to statutes for which the Office has responsibility. Prepares detailed memoranda and briefing materials with regard to a number of litigation support functions, such as obtaining authorization for electronic surveillance, press subpoenas, court closures, search warrants subject to the Privacy Protection Act or involving attorneys, grand jury disclosures, immunities, and tax disclosures. Responds to requests made to the Division for disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.
· Serves as the Director of the Federal Witness Security Program.
· Advises the DAAG and AAG concerning legal and policy questions relating to the statutes administered by the Office or involving important or highly specialized matters. Manages the Office's financial, human and technical resource allocations. Ensures that resource enhancements necessary for proposed priorities are identified and justification for additional funding is prepared to ensure adequate funding levels. Uses efficient and cost-effective approaches to integrate technology into the workplace for improved program effectiveness and enhanced decision-making.
· Actively promotes and supports the Division's equal employment policies and programs designed to enhance workforce diversity aims. Demonstrates a firm commitment to applying merit promotion principles in all aspects of hiring, selection, training and development and employee retention.
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 jurisdiction) in good standing and have at least 5 years post-J.D. experience.
Applicants 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 providing legal advice and policy guidance in the effective use of sophisticated investigative tools, including electronic surveillance, and the potentially sensitive use of other investigative and prosecutive authorities within the Office's areas of responsibility.
2. Experience with and knowledge of federal criminal practice and related Department of Justice policies.
3. Experience managing and supervising employees, including reviewing the work product of federal attorneys in the areas of electronic surveillance, court closures, attorney subpoenas, witness security and relocation, or other areas in federal criminal practice involving potentially sensitive programs or investigative authorities.
4. Experience in establishing and maintaining harmonious relationships with the public, members of Congress, federal law enforcement agencies, United States Attorney's Offices, and Department and Division senior officials.
Candidates will be evaluated on the mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements identified above based on their total background, i.e., education, training, self-development, awards, outside activities, performance appraisal, and work history. 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, 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
1331 F. Street, NW
Suite 410
Human Capital Staff
Washington, DC 20530
Attn: Kimberly Jackson
*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
$123,175 to $185,100* *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.