Supervisory Attorney

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
Metropolitan Detention Center, Consolidated Legal Center
Attorney
80 29th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
United States
About the Office: 

The legal practice at the New York Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, either through administrative or litigation channels and includes such matters as inmates' reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, and discipline. The incumbent, who is located at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, supervises attorneys within the New York CLC, to include legal support staff.  MDC Brooklyn is currently the headquarters of the New York CLC, and supervises BOP legal staff located at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) at New York, New York and Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at Otisville, New York.

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.

Job Description: 

The position includes being involved in a legal office that oversees the legal operations associated with three correctional institutions: MDC Brooklyn, MCC New York, and FCI Otisville. The New York CLC also handles BOP legal matters that arise from the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. The incumbent will be expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at these correctional facilities, including members of the Executive Staff.  The incumbent may also be required to handle other Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) legal matters as assigned, which are outside of the CLC's normal coverage.
 
The incumbent will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials.  The incumbent must have thorough knowledge of all aspects of BOP policy and practice as he/she may be required to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency's rationale for its correctional management decisions.  The incumbent must be able to conduct research and prepare memorandums or draft pleadings or declarations as needed, and be self-sufficient with their assigned caseload.  The incumbent must be able to handle voluminous amounts of discovery, which includes advising on objection and protective measures.  The incumbent must be able to handle clerical and administrative support duties as needed.
 
The incumbent will be the direct supervisor of the attorneys within the New York CLC, which includes supervising remotely as needed. The incumbent will also supervise legal support staff as applicable, but may delegate supervision of legal support staff when such staff are not physically stationed at MDC Brooklyn. The incumbent assigns matters/cases, establishes protocols and priorities for the New York CLC, and provides supervisory oversight and support to subordinate legal staff. Supervision includes complying with BOP and Department of Justice protocols and procedures, to include timely periodic progress reviews and a final evaluation that is thorough.  Supervision also requires providing/arranging appropriate training to subordinate staff, and providing support and guidance as needed.
 
This is a primary law enforcement position.  In accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 3307, the maximum entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons correctional institution.  The duties of this position may at times require frequent and direct contact with individuals in confinement who are suspected or convicted of serious criminal offenses.  It has also been determined that the duties of this position require experience and knowledge of the on-the-job responsibilities of a primary law enforcement officer working in a detention facility.  A prerequisite requirement of this position is the completion of "Institution Familiarization" and the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques."   
 
Because of the nature and mission of this position, it requires "hands-on" understanding of the operating problems encompassed in working within an institution. The incumbent may be called on to perform as a law enforcement officer in a correctional environment during training, emergency situations, times of staff shortages and under any other type of correctional operating crisis.  Specific correctional responsibilities may include custody and supervision of inmates, responding to emergencies and institution disturbances, participating in fog and escape patrols, and assuming correctional officer posts when necessary.  The incumbent may be required to shakedown inmates and conduct visual searches in their work or living area for contraband. The Incumbent must be prepared to use physical control in situations where necessary, such as in fights among inmates, assaults on staff and riots or escape attempts.

Qualifications: 

Applicant must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 3 years of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
 
Preferred qualifications:  Prior and extensive experience in correctional law is preferred, but not required.

Salary: 
The possible salary range for this position, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-14 ($125,817 to $163,559) or GS-15 ($147,994 to $172,500).
Travel: 
Minimal travel may be required.
Application Process: 

Applicants must submit a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience), resume, list of references, most recent performance evaluation and a writing sample by December 6, 2021 to:
 
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Northeast Regional Office
2nd & Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19106
Attention:  Darrin Howard, Regional Counsel 
 
No telephone calls please. It is preferred that you submit your application via e-mail to Darrin.Howard@usdoj.gov. 
 
This position is open until filled, but no later than December 6, 2021.

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 
Monday, December 6, 2021
Relocation Expenses: 
Not authorized.
Number of Positions: 
One
Updated November 22, 2021

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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.