Senior Trial Attorney (Criminal Enforcement Lead)

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Division's lead attorney for identifying potential criminal enforcement matters and has considerable expertise in identifying, investigating, and developing potential criminal violations of the statutes administered by CPSC; preparing and presenting criminal referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ); coordinating with federal law enforcement and investigative partners; and supporting the prosecution of criminal matters arising under CPSC's authorities.

Duties

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The incumbent serves as the Division's lead for criminal enforcement and is responsible for establishing, developing, and sustaining a dedicated criminal enforcement function within the Office of Compliance and Field Operation. The incumbent works collaboratively with other attorneys, Compliance Officers, Field Investigators, the Office of Import Surveillance, technical experts, and other staff to identify matters with potential criminal implications, set criminal enforcement policies and procedures, and ensure that office operations in support of criminal matters are sound, consistent, and efficient.

In this position, you will:

• Serve as the principal legal expert on criminal enforcement matters, providing authoritative legal advice and guidance to Commission leadership, attorneys, Compliance Officers, Field Investigators, and other agency personnel on complex criminal enforcement issues.
• Identify, evaluate, and investigate potential criminal violations arising from product recalls, civil penalty investigations, import surveillance activities, and other enforcement actions. Assess applicable criminal statutes, elements of offenses, evidentiary requirements, and potential corporate and individual liability.
• Develop and prepare criminal referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ), including referral memoranda, evidentiary summaries, witness and exhibit lists, and proposed charging theories. Evaluate legal and factual considerations, including jurisdiction, venue, statutes of limitations, standards of proof, and prosecutorial requirements.
• Serve as the Commission's principal attorney and liaison with DOJ and federal prosecutors throughout criminal investigations and proceedings, including prosecutorial review, grand jury proceedings, charging decisions, pretrial litigation, trial, sentencing, and appeals, in coordination with the Director of Enforcement and Litigation.
• Coordinate parallel civil and criminal enforcement proceedings, advising agency personnel on investigative procedures, evidence preservation, information-sharing restrictions, grand jury secrecy requirements, and compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including DOJ, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and other investigative and prosecutorial partners. Coordinate joint investigations, information-sharing arrangements, and interagency enforcement initiatives.
• Develop criminal enforcement policies, standard operating procedures, and training materials to strengthen investigative practices, ensure consistent enforcement operations, and maintain alignment with DOJ policies and applicable legal requirements.
• Advise Commission leadership and senior agency officials on criminal enforcement strategies, legal risks, investigative findings, and recommended enforcement actions. Prepare legal analyses, briefing materials, and recommendations concerning significant criminal enforcement matters.
• Review and provide legal guidance on proposed legislation, rules, regulations, and agency policies affecting criminal enforcement authorities, penalties, investigative procedures, and referral practices.
• Lead special projects and provide training and technical guidance to attorneys, Compliance Officers, Field Investigators, and other agency personnel on identifying and developing criminal enforcement matters, civil penalty cases, and corrective action matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn.

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information.

Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, if converted, you will be required to serve a two (2) year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the CPSC;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the CPSC or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

GS-15: 1) Independently handling highly complex criminal and civil enforcement matters; 2) analyzing potential criminal offenses and identifying the evidence necessary to establish their elements; 3) developing or evaluating matters for referral to prosecutorial authorities; 4) coordinating with prosecutors, investigators, and technical experts; 5) litigating or supporting significant judicial or administrative proceedings; 6) advising senior officials on sensitive legal matters; and 7) leading legal projects, case teams, or enforcement initiatives.

Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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.

Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Basic Requirement: All applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants are required to provide proof of current, active bar membership/good standing.

GS-15: In addition to basic requirement and qualifying specialized experience, applicants must have five years of experience as a practicing attorney.

ALL applicants must also submit proof of successful completion of education requirements. This proof may consist of a law school transcript or other documentation which provides clear and specific proof of education, such as a diploma. A copy of an SF-50 only is not adequate proof of meeting the education requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You MUST provide transcripts with your application to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.

All education claimed by applicants will be verified.

There is no substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/[redacted]5-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.

This appointment requires completion of a two year trial period unless you have previously successfully completed a trial period that meets the following: 1) in the same agency, 2) in the same line of work (as determined by the employee's actual duties and responsibilities) and 3) contains or is followed by no more than a single break in service that does not exceed 30 calendar days.

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.

Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

As a condition of employment, the selectee must reside in the local commuting area of the duty station listed in this announcement. Proof of residence may be required.

Must meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time, otherwise the employment offer may be withdrawn.

CPSC headquarters employees (Bethesda, MD) will be relocating to 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC. This position will transition to the new location upon completion of the move. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Applicants should be aware that acceptance of this position includes the requirement to report to the new location once the relocation is finalized.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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.

CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).

CPSC also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, teleworking, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs.

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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