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Attorney Advisor (FOIA-PA)

Department of Justice
Offices, Boards and Divisions
Office of Professional Responsibility
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), is responsible for investigating allegations of professional misconduct involving the more than 30,000 attorneys, agents, and immigration judges within DOJ. The office was founded in 1975 in response to revelations of ethical abuses and misconduct by Department officials in the Watergate scandal. It conducts highly sensitive investigations into allegations of misconduct involving all levels of the Department and is led by a career SES attorney.

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
11/25/2019 to 04/09/2020
Salary
$117,191 to - $166,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
OPR-20-10649782
Control number
552771500

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

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The Attorney Advisor (FOIA/PA) will be responsible for processing records requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA).

The specific duties include:

  • Providing technical direction to FOIA/PA staff,
  • Preparing and submitting FOIA or PA reports for internal and external audiences,
  • Preparing and or reviewing answers, briefs, declarations, and otherwise assisting Department attorneys in defending OPR in litigation brought under the FOIA/PA,
  • Determining whether the records located during the processing of a FOIA/PA request can be released in full, in part, or withheld,
  • Staying abreast of any changes in FOIA/PA law, and
  • Ensuring that searches and processing are conducted in accordance with applicable policies, law, regulations and procedures.
The attorney may also review and analyze allegations of misconduct and whistleblower retaliation claims, and where appropriate, conduct a thorough investigation of the allegations, including witness interviews and reviewing documents, and preparing a comprehensive report addressing the allegations and setting forth OPR's findings and conclusions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing.
  • Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
  • This position is in the Excepted Service.
  • A 2-year trial / probationary period must be completed.
  • Completion of a Financial Disclosure Statement is required.
  • All Federal employees must have pay deposited electronically into a bank account of choice.
  • Additional selections may be made from this announcement for up to 90 days as openings occur.
  • Employment offers may be rescinded if any pre-employment requirements are not met in good faith, including any scheduled appointments or security tasks.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Applicants must have substantive knowledge and expertise in FOIA/PA laws, rules, and regulations, and at least two (2) years of experience in reviewing, responding to, and providing legal advice regarding FOIA/PA requests.

Applicants must have superior academic and professional credentials as well as exceptional writing and oral communication skills. Applicants must also possess the legal skills and sound judgment necessary to evaluate the sensitive issues that arise in the course of processing FOIA/PA requests as well as conducting attorney misconduct investigations.

Preferred qualifications: A knowledge of, and familiarity with the rules and obligations imposed on prosecutors and other government attorneys by the Constitution, federal statutes, court decisions, orders, rules, regulations, Department policies, and applicable state bar rules is preferred but not required.

Grade-Specific Qualifications:

  • To qualify for the GS-14: you must have one year of specialized experience or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: applying the appropriate statutory exemptions under the FOIA and PA to ensure the protection of exempt information; preparing documents pertaining to complex and simple requests for information made under the FOIA and PA; providing direction for an organization FOIA and PA operations; preparing pleadings, briefs, motions, affidavits, and other materials involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; independently performing legal analysis; analyzing cases or requests for legal sufficiency; and providing expert legal advice and consultation.
  • To qualify for the GS-15: you must have one year of specialized experience or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: applying the appropriate statutory exemptions under the FOIA and PA to ensure the protection of exempt information; preparing and reviewing documents pertaining to complex and simple requests for information made under the FOIA and PA; developing written policies and procedures for the disclosure or withholding of records; providing direction and oversight of an organization or agency's FOIA and PA operations; conducting FOIA/PA training; preparing pleadings, briefs, motions, affidavits, and other materials involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; independently performing legal analysis; analyzing complex cases or requests for legal sufficiency; and providing expert legal advice and consultation.
You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Candidate must possess a J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school and be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Bar Membership: Candidates must be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

This information must be annotated in your resume.

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

OR

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your résumé. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/.

NOTE: To verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. (1) If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reserves side of the SF-15, Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference. (2) If you are claiming 10-point DERIVED PREFERENCE as a relative you must submit Member Copy of the veteran's DD-214, and an SF-15, Application for 10-point veteran preference" in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of this form. If you fail to do so, you will receive consideration as a non-veteran.

DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdf

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and 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. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: www.benderconsult.com.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found to be qualified for this position, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

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 resume and attach supporting documentation (Provided under "Additional Information" - "Veterans Preference."

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