Duties

Summary

Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal department for CSOSA and Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), providing a full range of legal advisory and representational services to support CSOSAs mission, goals and objectives. This Office also provides advisory informational assistance to the United States Courts, United States Probation Officers and other Federal and state officials, all with respect to CSOSAs legal position on a wide range of criminal justice and administrative matters.

Responsibilities

Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in responding to questions from agency staff related to conflicts-or-interest and financial disclosure concerns. Provides authoritative legal advice and formal opinions on criminal and correctional law issues, torts, liability, labor and employment, procurement, appropriations ethics, and FOIA/Privacy Act. Serves as legal advisor on difficult and substantive legal problems affecting the plans and operations of several related programs. Conducts research on legal issues that affect a significant segment of public interest. Serves as an organizational or agency representative for discussions regarding legal issues in a specialty area, for example copy rights. Addresses legal issues that are specific to the specialty area.
Provides legal assistance in litigation involving CSOSA and PSA (Pretrial Services Agency), e.g., prepares answers to interrogatories, draft pleadings, performs legal research of complex legal issues for use at trial, provides advisory assistance to U.S. Attorneys in trial and appellate presentation.
Incumbent prepares investigative reports and position papers, based on CSOSA policy, statutory authority and case law. Prepares authoritative descriptive and background reports, compilations, surveys, comparisons of laws and bills, and other written products on significant legal issues of national or international significance.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

Promotion Potential

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable

Background security investigation, drug test, and favorable adjudication

Appointment may require completion of a two-year trial period.

Qualifications

Grade 13:
Applicant must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction). In addition, applicant must have four years of post J.D./LL.B. experience, three years of which were in or related to Federal laws, rules and regulations related to labor-management relations, torts, criminal law, FOIA, Privacy Act, EEO, Federal employment law, human resources management, Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), Bivens, appropriations law, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Administrative Procedures Act.
Grade 14:
Applicant must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction). In addition, applicant must have five years of post J.D./LL.B. experience, four years of which were in or related to Federal laws, rules and regulations related to labor-management relations, torts, criminal law, FOIA, Privacy Act, EEO, Federal employment law, human resources management, Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), Bivens, appropriations law, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Administrative Procedures Act.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, 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.

Education

Applicant must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree.

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college unofficial transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and meet the mid-level (scoring between 85 and 89) on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and meet the mid-level (scoring between 85 and 89) on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill future vacancies for identical positions within the next year.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Bargaining Unit Status: Not Eligible

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments directly deposited into a financial institution of their choosing.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

CSOSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CSOSA uses E-Verify, if you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, CSOSA 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).

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Other

Drug test required

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.