Clarification from the agency

Only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply.

This position is located in the Legal Training Division of the Office of Chief Counsel within the Director's Office of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco, GA.   As a Supervisory Attorney-Advisor (Instructor/Technical) you are a valuable member of the FLETC team and mission.  You will be responsible for the overall performance and technical activities of Attorneys/Instructors assigned to the Branch, including the quality, quantity, and content of their work. These Attorneys/Instructors are engaged in the classroom instruction of law enforcement officers from Federal, state, local, and international agencies.  Typical assignments include:

• Performing personnel management responsibilities such as writing position descriptions and work plans, planning and approving employee training initiatives, maintaining discipline, counseling employees, resolving grievances, evaluating performance, and approving leave.

• Implementing the FLETC Equal Employment Opportunity policies within own Branch and with subordinate employees to ensure no discrimination occurs because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical handicap, age, and membership or non-membership in an employee organization.

• Reviewing and evaluating Attorneys/Instructors project assignments for clarity, completeness and accuracy. These assignments generally consist of the development and revision of texts, course analyses, feasibility studies, methods of evaluation, etc. Making periodic inspections of the work progress of the Attorneys/Instructors in their project assignments and reporting status of each project to the Chief.

• Reviewing the instructional schedule and making occasional adjustments as needs dictate to provide effective utilization of the Attorneys/Instructors. 

• Conducting in-class evaluations of the Attorneys/Instructors assigned to the Branch, sharing this duty with the Division Chief. Meeting with and providing written critique to the Attorneys/Instructors and submitting the evaluation forms specified by FLETC directive and policy through the Chief on evaluations made. Providing verbal and written input into quarterly progress reports and annual performance evaluation issued to Attorneys/Instructors assigned to the Branch. 

• Developing and implementing a training plan for all staff assigned to the Branch. Such duties include the identification of appropriate training courses, dates of attendance, and the processing of these recommendations through the Chief. Also included is the supervision of student interns assigned to the Branch and resultant reports of such assignments.

• Providing oversight to the legal topical areas assigned. This includes the monitoring of required quarterly progress reports and submitting reports to the Division Chief identifying needed areas of courses, text, document revision, or development. Divides the assignment of projects and tasks with the knowledge and concurrence of the Division Chief and monitors progress and final completion of these projects and tasks.
• Participating in meetings, project planning, report preparation and development of student policies and procedures. Providing professional and technical information and advice on training techniques, survey methods, classroom instruction, and implementing changes needed.
• Performing services as an Instructor, as needed, in addition to the above responsibilities.
• Conferring with staff members, administrative staff, and support sections for the coordination of planning and development of curricula; conferring with agency representatives and others concerning the content and development of courses and when necessary, performing field visitations for the purpose of analyzing training needs and/or following-up on the effect of the training program. When requested, assists in formulating, developing and administering other training programs.
• Directing the conduct of special surveys, studies, or investigations in his/her area of training, as requested by higher authority; determining what principles or objectives are involved, considering approaches to be taken; and recommending courses of action and solutions. Is responsible for accomplishing such assignments, using initiative and imagination and for making complete and logical presentations/reports on the subject. Ensuring that the attendant files and materials are produced and maintained in the Division.
• Maintaining accountability of all property and materials assigned to the Division to include furniture, equipment, and accountable classroom materials. Is responsible for the protection of all properties and materials, as well as any related FLETC and Division systems as defined in the FLETC Vulnerability Assessment Directive.

Conditions of employment

• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• This position requires you to have access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• This position is eligible for situational-only telework based on agency policy.
• Overtime work may be required.
• Must be able to pass and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.
• This position is designated as Emergency Essential. You will be required to sustain FLETC operations in the event of a localized situation, such as inclement weather, interruptions to power, or dismissal or closure of DHS operations or services.
• You will be required to undergo pre-appointment and random drug testing for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon favorable results.
• Position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment - persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence are prohibited from occupying this position.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.

Qualifications

Please limit your résumé to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

All applicants must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing date of this announcement.

All applicants must be graduates of a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association.  Applicants must possess the first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M).  Please provide a copy of your transcripts.

All applicants must also be an active bar member in good standing in every jurisdiction in which you are licensed of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and have a license to practice law.

In addition to the requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-14 grade level you must possess specialized professional legal experience in excess of three years equivalent to the GS-13 level demonstrated by substantial legal writing and communication skills; conducting original legal research and legal analysis; providing instruction in legal subjects at a college/university, police post or training academy for a period of at least one year; authoring and publishing articles on substantive legal matters; experience presenting substantive material at nationally recognized conferences; and demonstrated expertise in a significant field of law related to law enforcement.

Time-in-Grade: Current and former federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps and AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Physical Demands: This work requires walking, standing, bending, sitting, ordering, and carrying books, computers, packages, and/or containers. Travel to field locations to coordinate or deliver training may be involved. Work may also involve occasional physical exertion while demonstrating a variety of role-playing
activities and law enforcement techniques and methods.

Work Environment: The workplace includes classrooms, offices, conference rooms, library areas, and practical exercise workspace. Position will be exposed to varying indoor and outdoor climates and environments and may require exposure to high levels of noise. Position may be required to drive a government-owned or government-leased vehicle to perform duties at locations on and off-site.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement within the same geographical area.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use a job questionnaire to further rate you based on your experience, education, and training demonstrating the following competencies needed to perform this job:

1. Ability to supervise a subordinate staff.

2.  Ability to apply the latest developments in the law enforcement field in order to initiate, alter, and evaluate law enforcement training programs.

3. Knowledge of the most current concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of training technology and methodology for law enforcement personnel to serve as a basis for planning, developing, evaluating, and administering law enforcement training programs for 80 or more partner law enforcement agencies with both common and special needs.

4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing for the persuasive presentation of facts and research results that may be controversial or negotiable with groups that may possess differing points of view.

5.  Property Maintenance and accountability

If you are best-qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the FLETC 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 (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions.