Legal Careers
Attorney Advisor
Phoenix, AZ 85086 - United States
The legal practice at the Phoenix 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 issues, such as medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene & sanitation, and inmate discipline.
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 position includes being involved in a legal office that oversees the legal operations associated with four correctional institutions: Federal Correctional Institution, Phoenix, Arizona, Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, Arizona, the Federal Correctional Complex, Tucson, Arizona, and the Metropolitan Correctional Center at San Diego, California. The Phoenix CLC also handles BOP legal matters that arise from the Districts of Utah and Nevada, in addition to the District of Arizona and the Southern District of California. 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.
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 successful 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 issues 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.
Applicant must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1 year of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience for the GS-12 level, 2 years for the GS-13 level, and 3 years for the GS-14 level.
Preferred qualifications: Prior and extensive experience in correctional law is preferred, but not required.
Applicants must submit a resume, a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a writing sample by April 27, 2020 to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Western Regional Office
7338 Shoreline Drive
Stockton, California 95219
Attention: Dennis Wong, Regional Counsel
It is preferred that you submit your application packet via e-mail to DWong@bop.gov
No telephone calls please. This position is open until filled but no later than April 27, 2020.
Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-12 ($79,480 to $103,328), GS-13 ($94,512 to $122,868) or GS-14 ($111,684 to $145,187).
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Department Policies
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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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