Duties

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The Federal Correctional Complex Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) in Beaumont, Texas, is under the direction of the South Central Regional Office and provides litigation support to the United States Attorney's Offices for inmate litigation arising out of the Federal Correction Complex Beaumont (three separate institutions) and the Federal Prison Camp, Bryan, Texas. The legal practice of CLC Beaumont covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, either through administrative or litigation channels and includes such matters as inmates' reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement issues, such as medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene & sanitation, and inmate discipline. CLC Beaumont also provides assistance to federal and state law enforcement agencies and federal and state courts regarding issues relating to the CLC and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

The selected will be the direct supervisor of the attorneys within the Beaumont CLC and will supervise legal support staff as applicable. The selected assigns matters/cases, establishes protocols and priorities for the CLC. Supervision includes complying with BOP and Department of Justice protocols and procedures, to include timely periodic progress reviews and final evaluations. Supervision also requires providing/arranging appropriate training to subordinate staff, and providing support and guidance as needed.

As a member of the Beaumont CLC, the selected is expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at the correctional facilities within the CLC, including members of the Executive Staff. The selected may also be required to handle other FBOP legal matters which pertain to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) institutions. The selected will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials. The selected must have thorough knowledge of all aspects of BOP policy and practice as he/she may be required to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency's rational for its correctional management decisions. The selected is expected to perform extensive legal research and writing independently with minimal oversight and will be expected to learn and adapt to BOP protocols in order to achieve optimal levels of advocacy and persuasion.

This is a primary law enforcement position. Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age of 36 for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution, applicants for this announcement can be considered up to age 39. If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you must submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. The duties of this position may at times require frequent and direct contact with individuals in confinement who are suspected or convicted of serious criminal offenses. It has also been determined that the duties of this position require experience and knowledge of the on-the-job responsibilities of a primary law enforcement officer working in a detention facility. A prerequisite requirement of this position is the successful completion of 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I' locally and, the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase II' at the Staff Training Academy.

Because of the nature and mission of this position, it requires "hands-on" understanding of the issues encompassed in working within an institution. The incumbent may be called on to perform as a law enforcement officer in a correctional environment during training, emergency situations, times of staff shortages, and under any other type of correctional operating crisis. Specific correctional responsibilities may include custody and supervision of inmates, responding to emergencies and institution disturbances, participating in fog and escape patrols, and assuming correctional officer posts when necessary. The incumbent may be required to shakedown inmates and conduct visual searches in their work or living area for contraband. The incumbent must be prepared to use physical control in situations where necessary, such as in fights among inmates, assaults on staff, and riots or escape attempts.

The practice areas related to this position are: Correctional Law, Civil Litigation, and Constitutional Law.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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:

1. See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
2. Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov
3. U.S. Citizenship is Required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 2.5 to 4 years post-JD legal or other relevant experience.

Preferred qualification: Prior experience in correctional law is preferred, but 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

This is a primary law enforcement position. Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age of 36 for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution, applicants for this announcement can be considered up to age 39.

If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you must submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage.

Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age.

A prerequisite requirement of this position is the successful completion of 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I' locally and, the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase II' at the Staff Training Academy.

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.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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.

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.