Legal Careers
Chief for Policy, Office of Law and Policy
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
The Office of Law & Policy's mission is to develop lawful, effective national security policy, including by shaping through litigation and appeals the body of law that governs national security practice in the United States.
NSD's mission is to coordinate the Department's efforts to carry out its core mission of combating terrorism and protecting national security. NSD consolidates the Department's primary national security elements within a single Division, with its major legal and operational activities based in its Office of Intelligence, Counterterrorism and Counterespionage Sections, and Office of Law & Policy. This organizational structure ensures greater coordination and unity of purpose between prosecutors and law enforcement agencies, on the one hand, and intelligence attorneys and the Intelligence Community, on the other, thus strengthening the effectiveness of the Department's national security efforts. The Division is led by an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) and supported by four Deputy Assistant Attorneys General.
NSD is responsible for, among other things, advising the Attorney General on matters relating to the national security activities of the United Stales, and ensuring that all of the Department's national security activities are fully coordinated. NSD supervises the enforcement of all federal criminal laws related to counterterrorism, counterespionage, and national security. NSD also oversees and coordinates the development of Department policy with regard to intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security matters and provides legal advice and assistance to government agencies on national security law and policy. NSD administers the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and related legislation, and represents the United States government before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
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.
MAJOR DUTIES:
Provides legal counsel to the Assistant Attorney General and the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Law & Policy; provides guidance to Department leadership on national security policy issues.
Responsible for carrying out the crucial policy responsibilities of the Division; develops and implements national security policy responsibilities for NSD's litigating and intelligence collection components.
Provides guidance to members of the Intelligence Community in developing and implementing policies relating to intelligence collection, information sharing and litigation.
Develops and implements polices including functions dedicated to cybersecurity, cyberespionage, and terrorist use of the Internet.
Ensures coordination within the Department of all matters relating to the national security activities of the U.S. government; overseeing the development, coordination and implementation of Department policies relating to national security; prosecuting and coordinating the prosecution of terrorism that affect U.S. persons or interests abroad.
Coordinates with and assists with training foreign criminal justice entities with respect to matters relating to national security.
Supervises and manages directly GS-15 attorneys, and assigns and reviews their work on national security policies. Supports the professional development of attorneys working within the Policy Unit;
Makes recommendations to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Law & Policy regarding the personnel, equipment, and other resources needed to effectively support the work of the Policy Unit.
Accompanies or represents the DAAG in meetings and conferences both within the Department and with high ranking officials of other Federal, State and local agencies, Members of Congress and Congressional Committees, and foreign officials regarding critical and sensitive matters within the jurisdiction of the Division. Reflects the DAAG's philosophies and decisions on problems or situations presented and points of view developed, and supplies factual and sensitive information to the DAAG.
Assists the DAAG in the formulation and determination of policy for litigation issues affecting the Division. Prepares policy options based on the specific or general direction of the AAG and DAAG or perceived needs if the incumbent identifies a problem area to be addressed, secures support for the issues as necessary, and assists in the implementation of these policies.
Monitors activities to ensure that resources appropriated by Congress are properly obligated and effectively monitored to accomplish strategic and annual performance goals. Uses efficient and cost-effective approaches to integrate technology into the workplace and improve program effectiveness and enhance decision-making.
Supervises and directs efforts to evaluate Departmental activities, including existing and proposed foreign intelligence operations and other national security- related activities, to determine their consistency with U.S. policies and laws and oversee preparation of reports evaluating compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Demonstrates strong commitment to and support for the Division's equal employment policies and programs to enhance workforce diversity. Advocates merit promotion principles in all aspects of personnel hiring, promotions, training and development and retention. Sustains an organizational culture which encourages motivation and peak performance.
CONTROLS OVER WORK
The Chief for Policy will work under the supervision and direction of the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Law & Policy. As a senior executive, the Chief of the Policy Unit will exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment in determining how the work of the Policy Unit can best support the objectives and strategic vision of the Office of Law & Policy and the National Security Division.
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.
The selectee will undergo a suitability review conducted by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.
You 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.
Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees who have had their Executive Core Qualifications approved by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) are not required to address the ECQs, but must address all Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications.
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.pd.
Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements:
1. Detailed knowledge of national security statutes, legal authorities, policies and guidelines.
2. Ability to work with the intelligence community and other agencies on complex policy matters.
3. Demonstrated experience managing attorneys in a demanding work environment.
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, as well as 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 (OPM) 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
Other Information: The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) of a selectee who is not a current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employee (Title V) must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before appointment.
In addition, individuals entering the SES career service for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period. Applicants who have completed the Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application.
If the selectee is not a current employee of the Offices, Boards, or Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice, he/she will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism.
The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities and will reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced.
Security/Suitability Requirements: Initial appointment is conditional upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint and credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to the favorable suitability adjudication of a background investigation.
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. Please note that current or former career employees who have had their Executive Core Qualifications approved by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) at OPM are not required to address the ECQs, but must address all Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications.
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.
**To apply, please submit your application via e-mail at SES/SL.Applications@USDOJ.GOV or fax to (202) 514-0673.
Applications being mailed should be sent to*:
Department of Justice/Justice Management Division
145 N Street, NE, Room 9W.300
Attn: Linda Anderson
Human Resources/Executive Resources
Washington, DC 20530
* Please note that sending your application other than by email or fax may result in a delay in your package being received in JMD/HR 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.
For additional information, please call:
CONTACT: Linda Anderson
CONTACT PHONE: 202-532-4589
E-MAIL: SES/SL.APPLICATIONS@USDOJ.GOV
FAX: 202-514-0673
All applications (including mailed applications) MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time, January 25, 2016.
$121,956 to $183,300*
* * *
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.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: 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.
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.
* * *
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.