Legal Careers
Senior Counsel - Attorney Advisor
Washington, DC 20001 - United States
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program is a cross-cutting, nationwide, multi-agency strategy for counter-narcotics and counter-transnational crime enforcement operations. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of multiple member agencies in concentrated, long-term investigations designed to attack and destroy major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, as well as other high priority transnational criminal organizations. The participating federal agencies include: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Marshals Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Secret Service; Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division; the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General; the U.S. Coast Guard; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the United States Attorneys’ Offices; the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; and numerous state and local agencies. OCDETF agents and prosecutors throughout the United States handle complex investigations and prosecutions of the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States. By their nature, OCDETF operations culminate in prosecutions that employ sophisticated or sensitive investigative tools and methods, such as: electronic surveillance; immunized or protected witnesses; subpoenas or search warrants requiring specialized approvals; extradition of fugitives from foreign countries; or the production of foreign evidence.
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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) is seeking experienced attorneys to serve as Senior Counsel(s) at the OCDETF Executive Office. The incumbent(s) must have prior criminal prosecution experience handling complex investigations involving counter-narcotics, counter-transnational organized crime, and illicit-finance. This background will allow the incumbent to assist with OCDETF investigative coordination efforts, and with policy and program development, training, and representation of the program at various agency meetings and conferences. The incumbent will be required, as assigned, to analyze policies, resource needs, and program performance indicators and identify legal and policy ramifications; attend and report on Department and Interagency meetings; prepare and present reports and/or briefings for the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, OCDETF Director, OCDETF Deputy Director, OCDETF Principal Associate Directors, other OCDETF managers, and other entities on the state of the OCDETF program and specific OCDETF initiatives; conduct district specific reviews of the United States Attorneys Offices’ OCDETF programs; conduct reviews of OCDETF Strike Forces; assist in the development and presentation of budget submissions and reprogramming requests and prepare talking points and background materials for the Office of Management and Budget and/or Congressional staff; and oversee various program and financial initiatives to support OCDETF field components. The incumbent may also assist in the coordination of OCDETF investigative efforts, and in the development and implementation of training in various subject matter areas, including electronic surveillance, illicit-finance investigations and asset forfeiture, and non-drug-centric complex transnational organized crime investigations. The attorney(s) selected from this announcement will be assigned to the OCDETF Executive Office, located in Washington DC, and may be called upon to do any of the following:
• Provide programmatic support to the OCDETF Director, Deputy Director, and Principal and Associate Directors on the formulation and execution of various OCDETF policies and decisions in the administration of the OCDETF program.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of the criteria by which the OCDETF program evaluates itself for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with OCDETF program stakeholders to review and provide recommendations to update the OCDETF program’s strategic plan and program guidelines.
• Organize and implement periodic programmatic review(s) of OCDETF Districts, Regions, and Strike Forces.
• Support OCDETF Executive Office managers in providing advice and consultation to United States Attorneys’ offices throughout the OCDETF Regions.
• Support OCDETF Executive Office managers in providing advice and consultation regarding OCDETF Co-located Strike Forces.
• Offer advice, guidance, support, and training regarding OCDETF program compliance in complex OCDETF drug and illicit-finance prosecutions and related asset forfeiture cases.
• Offer advice, guidance, support, and training regarding OCDETF program compliance in complex OCDETF non-drug centric transnational criminal organization and illicit-finance prosecutions and related asset forfeiture cases.
• Assist with any other duties as may be assigned by the OCDETF Director.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least ten years of post-J.D. legal experience as a federal or state prosecutor. Applicants must be able to maintain a TS/SCI clearance. Preferred qualifications: Significant experience with, and advanced understanding of, the OCDETF program, including, but not limited to, OCDETF case initiations, the OCDETF Management Information System (MIS), working with the OCDETF Fusion Center, IOC-2, Strike Forces, District and Regional Coordination Groups, implementing and monitoring OCDETF Strategic Initiatives; demonstrated significant experience with complex federal prosecutions including long-term, complex, counter-narcotics and counter-transnational organized crime investigations; demonstrated significant experience in the use and supervision of sensitive investigative techniques, including electronic surveillance and related legal issues; demonstrated experience in conducting domestic and international complex financial investigations; demonstrated knowledge of the current roles and relationships of relevant Departments, and their respective sub-components, in the areas of counter narcotics enforcement and counter transnational organized crime enforcement; strong established relationships with the United States Attorneys’ Offices and federal law enforcement agencies; considerable interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to partner and negotiate sensitive issues at a senior management level; experience in supervising the work product of federal prosecutors and other professional staff; strong writing and analytical skills; strong speaking and presentation skills; and experience in the development, and delivery, of professional training for prosecutors and federal law enforcement agents.
To apply for this position, please email a cover letter and resume to OCDETF-HR@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail). 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.
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.
(GS-15) $163,964 - $191,900
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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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