You can have a meaningful career with an agency that truly values a diverse workforce. You will find a diverse workforce employed from entry level jobs to senior management positions. We protect public safety by ensuring federal offenders serve their sentences of imprisonment in facilities that are safe, humane, and provide reentry programming. Employees at correctional facilities perform correctional work regardless of their specific occupation.
Summary
Why work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons?
You can have a meaningful career with an agency that truly values a diverse workforce. You will find a diverse workforce employed from entry level jobs to senior management positions. We protect public safety by ensuring federal offenders serve their sentences of imprisonment in facilities that are safe, humane, and provide reentry programming. Employees at correctional facilities perform correctional work regardless of their specific occupation.
• ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS ARE IN THE EXCEPTED SERVICE. • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPLY ONLINE.
• PLEASE REFER TO THE “HOW TO APPLY SECTION” FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorneys-vacancies
• This position is open until filled, but no later than June 16, 2023.
• Duty Location: Office of Legislative Affairs, Directors Office, Central Office, Washington, D.C.
The Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Director's Office, Central Office, monitors, tracks and analyzes legislation and the interests of Members of Congress. Additionally, OLA prepares BOP officials to testify at Congressional hearings, meets with Members of Congress and Congressional staff and responds to inquiries about BOP programs, services and operations. The attorney will work closely with DOJ's Office of Legislative Affairs and other relevant DOJ components.
The position is located in BOP's Central Office, Washington, DC. The Supervisory Attorney-Advisor (SAA), under direction of the Senior Deputy Assistant Director, is responsible for management and supervision of the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), its staff, and activities relating to Congressional oversight. The incumbent will provide legal advice, policy formulation, and review of matters regarding legislation. The incumbent will routinely meet with Members of Congress and Congressional Staff, and is responsible for preparing the BOP Director to testify at Congressional Hearings.
The incumbent is responsible for providing advice and guidance to BOP Executive staff, as it relates to legislation and congressional correspondence. The incumbent will assist with preparing Bureau officials to testify before or brief members of Congress, congressional committees, or the staff of the members of committees. This may include coordinating and drafting talking points, leading or participating in moot hearings or briefings, researching the members or committees to ensure BOP officials are prepared for relevant topics, and other activities that will assist in preparing BOP officials to present to members of Congress and committees.
The incumbent provides direct management and supervision of six Legislative Affairs Specialists.
The Practice areas related to this position are: Correctional Law, Legislation and International.
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 his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
Qualifications
Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. Applicants must also submit to and pass a drug test.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Members of Congress and Legislative Affairs is desired though not required.
Education
See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.
ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). 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, Click Here.
Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.
Additional information
Special Conditions of Employment Section:
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
Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.
All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check and must pass a review of their income tax filing history.
Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This position is processed under Direct Hire, veteran’s preference and Category Rating procedures do not apply.
Applicants will be evaluated utilizing the documentation submitted and considered for the grade level in which the resume and/or educational transcripts supports.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
In order to receive credit for experience contained in a resume, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date and include the number of hours worked per week. Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.
Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment.
A college transcript which includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day).
SF-50 for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
320 First Street, N.W.
ATTN: Kristie Breshears
Washington, District of Columbia 20534
United States
Next steps
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed.
The Human Resource Office may then contact you for an interview if they wish. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an Inquiry of Availability (OF-5 Form)via e-mail, mail or a telephone inquiry from the local Human Resource Department. Applicants MUST complete the OF-5 form and return it to the Human Resource Management Office or contact the Human Resource Department via e-mail.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
In order to receive credit for experience contained in a resume, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date and include the number of hours worked per week. Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.
Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment.
A college transcript which includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day).
SF-50 for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
320 First Street, N.W.
ATTN: Kristie Breshears
Washington, District of Columbia 20534
United States
Next steps
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed.
The Human Resource Office may then contact you for an interview if they wish. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an Inquiry of Availability (OF-5 Form)via e-mail, mail or a telephone inquiry from the local Human Resource Department. Applicants MUST complete the OF-5 form and return it to the Human Resource Management Office or contact the Human Resource Department via e-mail.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
