U .S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CRIMINAL DIVISION
RESIDENT LEGAL ADVISOR FOR MEXICO
About the Office: The mission of the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) is to develop and administer technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and their law enforcement personnel, so those institutions and their personnel can more effectively combat terrorism, organized crime, corruption, financial crimes, trafficking in persons and other types of crime, in a manner consistent with the rule of law, and can more effectively cooperate regionally and with the United States in combating such crime.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The Office seeks an experienced Assistant United States Attorney or Department of Justice Trial Attorney to serve as Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) in Mexico City, Mexico. This assignment is for a term of twelve months with the possibility of an extension contingent upon the availability of funding. (This is a reimbursable detail.) The RLA represents the Department of Justice and OPDAT and implements a justice sector assistance program that will focus on human trafficking. The RLA will work with appropriate host country officials to assess the human trafficking problem in Mexico. The RLA will be responsible for developing and implementing an effective anti-trafficking program. The program may involve providing advice on existing anti-trafficking laws, drafting legislation, and proposing implementing regulations. The RLA will also be expected to aid in improving prosecutorial and judicial professionalism through skills development assistance.
Qualifications: Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must be a current Department Trial Attorney or Assistant United States Attorney and have at least four or five years of post J.D. experience to be qualified at the GS-14 or 15 level. An applicant must have excellent interpersonal skills; possess the ability to function effectively in a multi-cultural environment; be mature and self-sufficient; be able to efficiently initiate and manage work projects; and possess extensive experience investigating and prosecuting criminal conduct regarding trafficking in persons. Fluency in spoken Spanish is required, that is the ability to understand all forms and styles of speech and use spoken Spanish accurately on all levels normally pertinent to professional needs. Proficiency in written Spanish is also required.
Preferred qualifications: Comparative law or other professional experience gained working within a Latin American context is desired, but is not essential.
Travel: The position will require travel within the country and the region.
Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience determine the appropriate salary level. (See OPM's Web page at www.opm.gov/oca/payrates/index.htm)
Location: The RLA will be stationed in Mexico City, Mexico beginning in the late spring of 2008.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses may be authorized depending on the actual length of the assignment and the availability of funds.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter as soon as possible to the attention of Kathleen O’Connor, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 10th and Pennsylvania Aves., NW, Washington, DC 20530. Faxed or e-mailed submissions are encouraged. The fax number is: (202) 616-6770. The e-mail address is: Kathleen.OConnor@usdoj.gov.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.