Assistant General Counsel (Legislative and Correctional Issues Branch)

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. Our highly-skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security. Through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors. The mission of the Legislative and Correctional Issues Branch (LCI) is to provide legal advice to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff covering a broad range of subjects, including but not limited to: management of correctional facilities, First Step Act of 2018 implementation; civil commitment of sexually dangerous prisoners; Special Administrative Measures preventing threats from inmates associated with violence, national security, and terrorism; Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems to detect unauthorized drones; extradition of detainees from foreign courts; federal sentencing issues to include the BOP's calculation of inmate sentences; reviewing and processing compassionate release / Reduction in Sentence requests; reviewing and revising internal policies as well as proposed legislation consistent with administration priorities. The incumbent works with and advises senior leaders, supervisors, and staff concerning legal aspects of, and the interpretation, applicability, and compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations, and constitutional provisions relating to the confinement of inmates. The incumbent will work closely with other BOP divisions, Department of Justice officials, and officials in other Executive Branch agencies on statutory matters that affect the BOP and to resolve correctional issues. The Practice areas related to this position are: Correctional Law, Criminal Law, and Prisoners' Rights. Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction). Preferred qualification: Prior experience in correctional law and/or federal or civil litigation is preferred, but not required. 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). Key Requirements: See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov U.S. Citizenship is Required. 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.