Clarification from the agency

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and managing legislative strategies for Commission policy proposals and coordination of the Commission's advisory role to Congress on crime and sentencing policy.
• Drafting congressional testimony and conducting briefings and meetings with Members of Congress, their staffs, the Department of Justice, other governmental agencies, and relevant interest groups.
• Advising the Commission regarding the congressional crime policy agenda.
• Supervising a team of two attorneys and overseeing the operation of the unit and the congressional advice provided by the unit to the Commissioners and staff.
• As a member of senior staff, reviewing materials sent to Commissioners.
• Participating on or leading policy teams that focus on new legislation, preparing proposed guideline amendments, and other sentencing issues.
• Coordinating with Public Affairs on public messaging, meetings, etc.

Conditions of employment

• This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service.
• All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
• Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Employment_of_Non-citizens. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf.
• A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.
• All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.
• All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.
• Applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.

Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have demonstrated leadership abilities and extensive management experience which is directly related to the line of work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the duties of this position. Progressively responsible administrative experience in public service or in the private sector business which provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural and human aspects in managing is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• An understanding of the federal sentencing guidelines, the guideline amendment process, federal criminal law and criminal procedure, and constitutional law, as well as the Commission's organic statute and rule-making process.

• Effective leadership and management skills in formal and informal leadership roles. Comprehensive knowledge of the operations of Congress, as well as the Members and staff involved in congressional crime policy-making.
• The ability to express, orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers, and must also possess effective presentation skills in business meetings and public forums.
• Ability to serve as a spokesperson for the agency and to develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with a variety of Federal organizations, key individuals and interest groups.

How you will be evaluated

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

The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. In order to be considered for this position, applicants must address the mandatory and preferred qualifications in the questionnaire on USAJOBS as a separate submission from resume and cover letter.

Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.