Legal Careers
Senior Deputy General Counsel
Washington, DC 20534 - United States
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) represents the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on a broad range of legal, policy, and management issues. The OGC Division includes eight branches in Central Office, six regional legal offices, and 24 Consolidated Legal Centers in the field. The primary responsibility of the regional legal offices is to provide litigation support for inmate litigation arising out of the prisons located within the region, and to provide legal advice to regional office and prison administrators. The Consolidated Legal Centers service a number of institutions in a geographic area.
Central Office legal staff are responsible for defending the BOP and staff in inmate civil litigation, providing legal assistance and advice on correctional issues, such as inmates’ rights and conditions of confinement, representing the BOP against protests and claims in government contract matters, and providing advice and training on real estate and environmental matters, government ethics, labor/management and personnel issues, and Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests. The Division also coordinates the BOP's rule-making process and OGC's continuing professional education programs.
Under the oversight of the Office of the General Counsel are the following:
The Commercial Law Branch which litigates the BOP's and Federal Prison Insustries' contract protests and disputes, provides legal advice and assistance to ensure the BOP's acquisition and financial operations comply with law and policy, and coordinates agreements to maintain the BOP's necessary external relationships.
The Employment Law Branch that represents the agency in administrative forums, such as the EEOC, MSPB, FLRA, and union arbitration proceedings. The branch also provides legal advice to management on labor-management and personnel issues.
The Ethics Office is responsible for administering the BOP ethics program and for implementing BOP-wide policies on ethics issues. The Office provides advice and training regarding employee conduct and governmental ethics rules directly to employees throughout the BOP and FPI.
The Legal Administrative Branch oversees all attorney personnel issues and manages electronic and data services for legal staff. The branch also designs and provides specialty training for paralegals and attorneys, including continuing professional education programs, and conducts reviews of the BOP's legal offices.
The Legislative and Correctional Issues Branch provides legal assistance on Constitutional and statutory issues relating to inmates' rights and conditions of confinement. The branch also coordinates the BOP rule-making process and Reduction in Sentence reviews.
The Litigation Branch defends the BOP and its staff in litigation filed in the District of Columbia and litigation with a national impact on BOP programs and policy. The litigation covers a wide variety of issues, such as constitutional challenges, medical malpractice, injunctive relief, and appellate practice.
The Real Estate and Environmental Law Branch which handles a number of specialized areas relating to real property acquisition, management and disposal, environmental issues, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, NEPA and the Endangered Species Act. The Branch also handles issues related to OSHA.
The Information and Remedies Processing Branch that processes requests for documents submitted pursuant the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. In addition, the Branch is responsible for investigating and responding to inmate appeals in the administrative remedy process (BP-11s), national policy development, as well as addressing remedies-related questions.
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 Senior Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, has primary responsibilities to provide legal, technical, and advisory services to the Director, Assistant Director/General Counsel, Assistant Directors, Regional Directors, Associate General Counsel, Regional Counsel, Deputy Regional Counsel, legal staff nation-wide, and institution executive staff. The incumbent provides advisory and informational services to the U.S. Courts, U.S. Attorneys, Department of Justice attorneys, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Probation Officers, and other federal and state officials, all with respect to the Bureau's legal position on a wide range of correctional matters. The incumbent may provide direct supervision to the Associate General Counsel and has general oversight of other legal staff in the Central Office.
The incumbent advises the Assistant Director/General Counsel, Associate General Counsel and Regional Counsel in areas of interpretation of statutes and regulations, mental competency and other medico-legal problems, legal rights of inmates, sentencing issues, interpretation of court judgments, orders and decisions, as well as other legal matters pertaining to the administration of federal correctional facilities.
Incumbent may provide direct supervision of the Associate General Counsel who has primary responsibility in the subject matter areas of litigation, correctional issues, policy, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, ethics, commercial law matters, real estate and environmental law, and equal employment and labor law issues. Additionally, the incumbent may supervise the Bureau's Ethics Officer/Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Official for the Department of Justice. In this capacity, incumbent is responsible for knowledge of the ethics statues and regulations and advising staff on the impact of these law and regulations.
The incumbent acts as a liaison between the Federal Bureau of Prisons and other U.S. Department of Justice components relating to standards of custody, care, treatment and training of federal inmates.
The incumbent reviews court and administrative decisions, and engages in conferences, to recommend whether decisions so affect the Bureau's interests that appellate action or other legal review is appropriate. The incumbent reviews cases of many types (habeas corpus, injunctions, torts, sentencing, personal liability, FOIA/Privacy) to provide guidance to legal staff regarding litigation strategy, pleadings, and advises the trial attorney on facts, policy, and legal arguments to be presented. Makes recommendations to the Assistant Director/General Counsel, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and to Department of Justice attorneys which represent the position of the agency, and also which usually becomes the position of the Federal government.
The incumbent maintains contact with U.S. Attorney's Offices throughout the nation regarding litigation affecting the Bureau of Prisons. Advises U.S. Attorneys and other Department of Justice officials, U.S. Probation Officers, Bureau legal staff and private attorneys, of the legality and proper interpretation of sentences, and initiates contacts with U.S. Attorneys or Federal Judges to correct of modify illegal or improper sentences.
• Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result before you can be appointed into this position.
• You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position. Entrance on duty is contingent upon preliminary completion of a security clearance.
• Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
• Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required by law to review the executive qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) prior to appointment. To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a written statement addressing the five (5) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) listed below (See 'HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED'). Please limit the narrative statements for each Executive Core and Technical Qualification to no more than two pages. Copies of the Office of Personnel Management's "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications" may be obtained via the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf.
Please see Application Procedures for specific instructions. The narrative statements should demonstrate the necessary level of management skills, characteristics, qualities, specialized knowledge, and technical competence that would indicate successful performance in the SES. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that emphasize the applicant's level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position as defined below. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.
YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ):
MTQ 1. Demonstrated knowledge of the Department of Justice's Standards of Conduct, discovery and prosecutors' responsibilities under Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 16 and 26.2, 18 U.S.C. § 3500, Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972);
MTQ 2. Demonstrated expertise in federal litigation; MTQ 3. Demonstrated experience analyzing and evaluating complex legal issues; and MTQ 4. Demonstrated experience advising and assisting high-level officials on difficult legal matters. YOU WILL ALSO BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQ):
ECQ1-LEADING CHANGE. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
Leadership Competencies:
1. Creativity and Innovation: Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas and innovations; designs and implements new or cutting edge programs/processes.
2. External Awareness: Understands and keeps up-to-date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders' views; is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment.
3. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
4. Resilience: Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
5. Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.
6.Vision: Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others; acts as a catalyst for organizational change. Influences others to translate vision into action.
ECQ2-LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
Leadership Competencies:
1.Conflict Management: Encourages creative tension and differences of opinions. Anticipates and takes steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations. Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
2.Leveraging Diversity: Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
3. Developing Others (New): Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
4. Team Building: Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
ECQ3-RESULTS DRIVEN. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
Leadership Competencies:
1.Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
2.Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
3.Decisiveness: Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
4.Entrepreneurship: Positions the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities; builds the organization by developing or improving products or services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives.
5.Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
6.Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
ECQ 4-BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
Leadership Competencies:
1. Financial Management: Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities.
2. Human Capital Management: Builds and manages workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, and rewarded; takes action to address performance problems. Manages a multi-sector workforce and a variety of work situations.
3.Technology Management: Keeps up-to-date on technological developments. Makes effective use of technology to achieve results and ensures access to and security of technology systems.
ECQ5-BUILDING COALITIONS. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Leadership Competencies:
1. Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
2. Political Savvy: Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly.
3.Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals.
Competencies:
1. Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
2.Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
3. Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics.
4. Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
5. Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.
6. Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests.
HOW TO APPLY:
You must apply through the online application system at www.USAJOBS.gov. Follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions and submit all required documents. NOTE: Submission of a resume alone is not a complete application. This position requires the completion of the SES Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment. All required supporting documentation MUST be received by Melinda Bryant by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. You MUST include the vacancy announcement number on your supporting documentation. Required supporting documentation must be submitted via mail, fax, e-mail or transferred from USAJOBS (uploaded). Paper applications: If applying online is impossible, please contact Melinda Bryant at the telephone number listed below, prior to the closing date of the announcement for the alternate application procedure. Contact for Assistance in Applying On-Line: DOJ, Federal Bureau of Prisons 320 First Street, N.W. Room 748, Washington, D.C. 20534 E-Mail: mwbryant@bop.gov Phone: 202-307-0495 Fax: 202-598-6517.
Please note that sending your application other than by fax or email may result in a delay in your package being received prior to the deadline; therefore, you would not receive consideration. Please note that application materials mailed in franked government envelopes will not be considered for this position.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
• Resume showing relevant experience.
• In order to receive credit for experience contained in an uploaded resume, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date.
• Current or former Federal employees NOT employed by the Bureau of Prisons MUST submit a copy of their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) Form which reflects the most recent position, title, series and grade; competitive service appointment; tenure group; status or SES reinstatement eligibility; and salary (within the last 13 months).
• You MUST submit a copy of your latest yearly performance appraisal/evaluation (within the last 13 months).
Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Melinda Bryant
Phone: (202) 307-0495
Fax: (202) 598-6517
Email: mwbryant@bop.gov
Agency Information:
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
320 First Street NW Room 7th floor
Washington, DC
20534
USA
Fax: (202) 514-6517
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
$121,956.00 to $183,300.00 / 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.