FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
METROPOLITAN DETENTION CENTER
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
ATTORNEY-ADVISOR
(SENIOR CLC ATTORNEY)
GS-905-13/14
About the Office: The Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, New York, is part of the Consolidated Legal Center, Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York, New York. The legal practice at the detention center covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, either through administrative or litigation channels, includes such matters as inmates’ reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, and discipline.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The position includes being involved in the management of a legal office that oversees the legal operations associated with a correctional facility that houses over 2300 inmates. The incumbent will be expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff, including members of the Executive staff. The incumbent will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts and agency officials. The incumbent will need to develop a 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 rationale for its correctional management decisions.
This is a primary law enforcement position. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, the maximum entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons correctional institution. 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 completion of "Institution Familiarization" and the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques."
Because of the nature and mission of this position, it requires "hands-on" understanding of the operating problems 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.
Required qualifications: Interested parties must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar of any state or territory, or the District of Columbia, and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience.
Preferred qualifications: Prior experience in correctional law is highly desired, though not required.
Travel: Travel is not normally required.
Number of Vacancies: One (1)
Location and Salary Information: This position is located in Brooklyn, New York. Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The appropriate salary level ranges, including locality pay adjustments is GS-13 ($86,715 to $112,735) or GS-14 ($102,469 to $133,209).
Relocation Expenses: Not authorized.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: Applicants must submit a resume or current OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a writing sample no later than November 6, 2008 to:U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Northeast Regional Office
United States Customs House - 7th Floor
2nd & Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Attention: Henry J. Sadowski, Regional Counsel
No telephone calls please. This position is open until filled, but no later than November 6, 2008.
Department Policies: Equal Employment Opportunity and Security Clearance Policies.
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys’ Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are 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.
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 are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.
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