Monday, April 05, 2021

Attorney Advisor

 Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

Office of General Counsel
Attorney
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005
United States
20200824-BSM
About the Office: 

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG), one of the premier federal inspector general offices, performs audits, evaluations, investigations, and special reviews of the personnel and programs of the DOJ components including the FBI, DEA, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, and the U.S. Attorneys' Offices. The OIG's mission is to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct, and promote integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in Department programs and operations. The OIG carries out its responsibilities with a nationwide work force of investigators, auditors, inspectors, attorneys, and support staff. OIG employees are provided with an array of benefits, outstanding development and training opportunities, and the opportunity to earn various forms of monetary and honorary recognition for significant contributions to the success of the OIG's mission. We are seeking motivated, dedicated, and talented professionals. If you are ready for a rewarding career with a dynamic organization, we encourage you to apply for this position with the OIG. The featured position of Attorney-Advisor is located in the OIG's Office of General Counsel (OGC). OGC's function, generally, is to provide legal advice and counsel on a broad range of topics to the IG and to OIG management and staff.
 
This vacancy may be used to fill other similar and/or comparable positions throughout the agency within the stated duty station.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Job Description: 

As an Attorney Advisor, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing critical legal advice and technical services in support of the OIG's core oversight mission. OGC Attorney Advisors are experienced attorneys who have previously served as civil litigators (in government and private practice), prosecutors, defense counsel, and agency counsel. OGC Attorney Advisors handle a broad range of long-term and short-term assignments, develop expertise in a wide variety of legal and policy issues, and interact with management and staff across the OIG.
 
Typical work assignments include:
 
1. Providing legal opinions or memoranda on complex and difficult issues of law relevant to general OIG operations or to particular OIG audits, investigations, inspections, or reviews, which encompass criminal, national security, ethics, and other issues.2. Engaging in meetings, personal contacts, and telephone conferences with top legal and administrative personnel in the Department of Justice and other federal agencies, on important legal and policy questions and issues.3. Acting as the principal attorney in charge of the preparation and presentation of cases before administrative bodies, and serving as the OIG's liaison with the litigating DOJ component in litigation to which the OIG is a party.4. Analyzing and preparing recommendations for OIG responses to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and reviewing OIG reports for Privacy Act protected and proprietary information to clear such reports for public release.5. Consulting and coordinating with OIG investigators in preparing recommendations for suspension and debarment actions by the Department against financially irresponsible parties doing business with the Department.
 
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
 
Due to the pandemic, the office is teleworking full-time.

Qualifications: 

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position you must be a graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 5 years of post-J.D. experience.
 
In addition to the above requirements, to qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must have 5 years post-J.D. legal experience, one (1) of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include providing legal opinions or memoranda on complex and difficult issues of law; reviewing and preparing recommendations for responses to subpoenas and other requests for production of materials; in depth knowledge of FOIA rules and regulations; and conducting litigation, including trying cases, before courts and administrative tribunal.
 
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire. Failure to provide support may result in an ineligible rating. Your latest resume submitted for this vacancy announcement will be used to determine qualifications and supersedes previous submissions.
 
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Salary: 
$144,128.00 to $172,500.00 Per Year
Application Process: 

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the below competencies. You are NOT required to provide a separate narrative written response. Rather, you must describe in your application how your present and/or past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below:
 
Extensive litigation experience, including drafting and filing legal briefs or memoranda as well as presenting evidence in proceedings before courts or administrative tribunals, with demonstrated abilities in the areas of written and oral advocacy.
 
Extensive experience analyzing complex legal issues, making statutory interpretations, and developing sound and supportable legal recommendations and arguments.
 
Thorough knowledge of legal principles and federal law, including familiarity with the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, employment law, contract law, and federal ethics regulations.
 
Ability to represent an organization professionally and articulate the organization's position at meetings and in interactions with high-level officials, and to coordinate with internal and external offices.
 
Required Documents:
 
A current resume showing relevant experience and dates the relevant experience was obtained. 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, and social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
 
Documentation showing you are currently an active member in good standing of the bar of any state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 
Veteran's preference documentation (if applicable).
 
Schedule A documentation (if applicable).
 
Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
 
*** If you are interested in applying for this position please click on the below link.
 
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/597386400

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Relocation Expenses: 
Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Number of Positions: 
Few vacancies in the following location: Washington DC, District of Columbia
Updated April 5, 2021

*         *         *

Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor.  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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  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.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  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. 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.

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).

 

*         *         *

 

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Member of the Isleta Pueblo pleads guilty to federal assault charge

               ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Stephen Johnson, 35, of the Pueblo of Isleta, pleaded guilty in federal court today to domestic assault by a habitual offender in Indian Country.

              A grand jury indicted Johnson on Sept. 10, 2020. In his plea agreement, Johnson admitted to committing the offense on the Pueblo of Isleta on July 1, 2019. Johnson assaulted Jane Doe 2, his girlfriend at the time, after he had returned home from drinking. While Jane Doe 2 was packing her belongings to leave, Johnson threw a child’s chair at her, hitting her and bouncing off her and hitting Jane Doe 1 on the head, causing a small laceration above Jane Doe 1’s eyebrow.

              Johnson is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to five years in prison.

             The Isleta Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case.

Duplin County Drug Trafficker Who Brandished a Firearm at Deputy Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

 RALEIGH, NC- Jorge Zapata Castro, 52, of Duplin County, was sentenced today to 216 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Five Grams or More of Methamphetamine, Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime and Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien.

According to court documents and evidence presented in court, on July 22, 2019 a Duplin County Sheriff’s Deputy observed Zapata Castro leaving a known drug house. The deputy conducted a traffic stop after Zapata Castro crossed the center line multiple times in the area of North Carolina Highway 241 in Duplin County. Zapata Castro informed the deputy that he did not have a driver’s license. While the deputy was conducting his investigation, Zapata Castro fled at high rate of speed. During the chase that ensued, Zapata Castro leaned out of the window of his vehicle and pointed a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun at the deputy. Then, Zapata Castro lost control and crashed his vehicle into a person’s yard at the intersection of Old NC 24 and Wagon Ford Road. Zapata Castro exited the vehicle and then pointed the Smith and Wesson at the deputy again before fleeing on foot. Additionally, Zapata Castro then stole a vehicle from a nearby residence from someone who was washing the car. Zapata Castro was ultimately apprehended in a bean field a short time later.

During a search of Zapata Castro deputies found a loaded handgun and methamphetamine.  Detectives also searched the truck that Zapata Castro had wrecked and found 34 grams of methamphetamine and $1,550 in U.S. currency.  Zapata Castro was illegally in the country at the time of his arrest and had been previously deported therefore he was prohibited from possessing the handgun.

The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation “Fighting Jellyfish”.  An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security, and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo  prosecuted the case.

Woman from Zuni Pueblo sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for assault in Indian Country

             ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Kirsten Sandy, 38, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, was sentenced in federal court on April 1 to 41 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country.

            Sandy pleaded guilty to the offense on Feb. 5, 2020.  In her plea agreement, Sandy admitted to stabbing John Doe on May 1, 2014, in McKinley County, New Mexico, on the Zuni Pueblo. Sandy stabbed John Doe in the chest, causing severe lacerations and damaging the victim’s heart. As a result of the assault, the victim needed immediate open-heart surgery to save his life.

            The Zuni Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Marshall and Allison Jaros prosecuted the case.

Two Brothers, Including Self-Identified Proud Boy, Charged and Ordered Detained for Crimes Related to U.S. Capitol Breach

 Matthew and Jonathanpeter Klein remain held without bond pending trial

WASHINGTON— Thursday, a member of the Proud Boys and his brother were ordered to be held without bond, after being formally charged last month in federal court in the District of Columbia for conspiracy related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, among other charges.

Matthew Leland Klein, 24, and Jonathanpeter Allen Klein, 21, both of Oregon, were indicted in federal court in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy; obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and aiding and abetting; destruction of government property and aiding and abetting; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds.

According to court documents, Jonathanpeter Klein is a self-identified member of the Proud Boys, a group that describes themselves as a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists.” Matthew Klein is the brother of Jonathanpeter Klein.

As alleged, Matthew Klein assisted members of the crowd with using a police barricade to climb a wall and gain access to an external stairwell leading to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol. At 2:16 p.m. on Jan. 6, Jonathanpeter Klein entered the Capitol building on the northwest side with his brother entering shortly after through the same door at 2:18 p.m.

After exiting the building, the brothers worked together to forcibly open a secured door on the Capitol’s north side, with federal officers visible on the other side, causing damage to the building in excess of $1,000. When the officers responded to the violent entry, Matthew Klein put on protective goggles and advanced toward the officers waving a flag affixed to a pole in order to interfere with law enforcement’s efforts.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois and the District of Oregon. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Portland Field Offices.  

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Pembroke Woman Sentenced to 129 Months for Methamphetamine Trafficking

             CONCORD - Nadine Jacques, 46, of Pembroke, was sentenced to 129 months in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking on Friday, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in February and March of 2020, a cooperating individual made four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Jacques in Suncook, Concord, and Dover, New Hampshire. 

             Agents conducting surveillance at the final purchase on March 4, 2020, witnessed Jacques obtaining the drugs from her source, Tyler Cady, in Dover.  Agents arrested Jacques and Cady and recovered over 111 grams of methamphetamine. 

             Jacques previously pleaded guilty on August 7, 2020.  Cady, 30, of Concord, pleaded guilty on February 26, 2021.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2021.

            “Methamphetamine is a very dangerous drug that continues to pose a significant threat to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “To protect the community, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug traffickers who are peddling methamphetamine.  As Ms. Jacques has learned, methamphetamine dealers in the Granite State will face substantial consequences for their unlawful actions.”

             This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge

            CONCORD – William Soto, 29, of New York, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to aiding and abetting the possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2020, a New Hampshire state trooper pulled over a vehicle operated by co-defendant Lorenzo Vasquez for traffic violations.  The trooper identified Soto by his driver’s license.  A drug detection dog later indicated that there were drugs in the vehicle.  After obtaining a search warrant, officers located over 202 grams of cocaine base, over 90 grams of heroin, and a digital scale within the vehicle.

           Vasquez previously pleaded guilty on March 12, 2021 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2021.  Soto is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12, 2021.

           “Interstate drug traffickers are endangering the lives of New Hampshire’s citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “In order to protect the community, we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against the criminals who come to the Granite State to sell illegal drugs.  I am grateful to the State Police for helping us to put this drug dealer out of business.”

           This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police Mobile Enforcement Team.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.

Friday, April 02, 2021

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Issues Statement on Death and Injury of Capitol Police Officers

 U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today issued the following statement:

“The entire Department of Justice mourns with the U.S. Capitol Police and the family of Officer William Evans. Our thoughts are also with the other brave officer injured in the attack.

“As the members of the U.S. Capitol Police have demonstrated this year, they will give their all to defend the seat of our democracy. The Washington Field Office of the FBI is assisting the Metropolitan Police Department with their investigation of this tragic attack.”

Supervisory Trial Attorney (Deputy Chief)

Civil Rights Division (CRT)
Special Litigation Section
Attorney
Washington, DC 20530
United States
21-ATT-SPL-007 (DMT)
About the Office: 

The Civil Rights Division (Division) of the Department of Justice, created by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.

The Special Litigation Section (SPL or Section) is one of several Sections in the Civil Rights Division. We work to protect civil rights in the following areas: 1) the rights of people in state or local institutions, including: jails, prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and health care facilities for persons with disabilities; 2) the rights of individuals with disabilities to receive services in their communities, rather than in institutions; 3) the rights of people who interact with state or local police or sheriffs' departments; 4) the rights of youth involved in the juvenile justice system; 5) the rights of people to have safe access to reproductive health care clinics; and 6) the rights of people to practice their religion while confined to state and local institutions. We can also act on behalf of people at risk of harm in these areas.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Job Description: 

The Deputy Chief will be dedicated to the Section's work pursuant to the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program, which includes matters that seek to enforce compliance with the integration mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as interpreted by the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), and the federal and statutory rights of individuals with disabilities in publicly run residential institutions through the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. §1997.

The Deputy Chief will be responsible for duties such as, but not limited to:

  • supervising sensitive and complex investigations, litigation, and negotiations. In particular, the Deputy Chief will supervise: screening and development of new matters; comprehensive investigations involving in-person visits, witness interviews, experts, data analysis, and preparation of written recommendations, legal analyses, and proposed findings; the negotiation, monitoring, and enforcement of settlement agreements; and complex litigation involving extensive discovery, pretrial motions practice, preliminary injunction hearings, trials, and post-judgment enforcement and contempt proceedings;
  • reviewing, editing, and approving extensive written work product;
  • supervising and mentoring attorneys and other Section staff;
  • working with the Section Chief and management team to develop or revise, and implement, strategies and enforcement priorities;
  • coordinating with other federal agencies to ensure effective and efficient information sharing and case referral;
  • supervising and conducting outreach activities, including conference presentations, to individuals affected by the work of the Section; and
  • undertaking various administrative duties, including evaluating attorneys and staff and performing non-litigating assignments and special projects assigned by the Chief or other officials in the Division.
Qualifications: 

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess a minimum of five years (5) years of post-professional law degree experience. Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the work of the Section's Disability Practice group or substantively similar laws, rules, and regulations; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Applicants must have the ability to motivate and engage employees; the skill to build relationships that create trust, open dialogue, and full transparency; the assertiveness to drive outcomes and overcome adversity; the capacity to create a culture of clear accountability; and the integrity to make decisions based solely on merit. In addition, applicants must have the ability to effectively supervise all aspects of difficult cases and materials; delegate responsibility to staff; handle several difficult or complex cases or matters at the same time; manage a significant docket and ensure that applicable deadlines are met; must have the ability to motivate and engage employees; mentoring skills; outstanding negotiation skills; and must have outstanding professional references.

Preferred Qualifications:

Given the nature and volume of this work, the Section generally seeks candidates with significant litigation experience. Applicants with one or more of the following qualifications are preferred but not required: (1) extensive civil or criminal trial experience; (2) extensive federal civil or criminal litigation experience; (3) extensive experience with complex investigations; (4) extensive negotiation skills; (5) skill and experience identifying, developing, and implementing outreach efforts or public presentations; (6) ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and balance competing priorities; and (7) substantive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act's integration mandate, Medicaid, and other applicable law. Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), moot court, clinical experience, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, including individuals from disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.

Salary: 
$144,128.00 to $172,500.00 Per Year
Travel: 
You may be expected to travel for this position.
Application Process: 

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

1. Cover Letter

2. Résumé

3. A complete Occupational Questionnaire

4. Writing sample of no more than ten pages (a brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product)

5. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/596889300

6. Sch A documentation, if applicable

To apply for this position, see page at

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Relocation Expenses: 
Not Authorized
Updated April 2, 2021

*         *         *

Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor.  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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  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.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  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. 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.

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).

 

*         *         *

 

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

After Re-Review, Directed Patrol Rating Changes from Promising to No Effects

 

This was a policing initiative that sought to reduce gun violence in Indianapolis, Ind., by targeting high-crime areas and high-risk individuals.

The program is rated No Effects. There were no statistically significant differences between the targeted intervention areas and comparison areas in homicides, aggravated assault with a gun, armed robbery, and total gun crimes.

In 2011, the Indianapolis Directed Patrol program was rated Promising based on a single study. A 2020 re-review of the same study using the updated CrimeSolutions Program Scoring Instrument has resulted in a new rating of No Effects.

LEARN MORE

Thursday, April 01, 2021

McHenry Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Child Pornography

Gulfport, Miss. – Dexter Kimsey, 25, of McHenry, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Louis Guirola, Jr., to transporting images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jack P. Stanton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans. 

In June 2019, HSI Gulfport and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office executed a state search warrant at a McHenry residence where electronic devices belonging to Dexter Kimsey were recovered. Kimsey’s on-line account and cell phone were found to contain still and video format child exploitation visual depictions.   

Kimsey was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2020. He will be sentenced by  Judge Guirola on June 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m., and faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of twenty years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

 

South Texas pair admit to multiple counts of child exploitation

 McALLEN, Texas - A man and woman have entered guilty pleas to production of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Reid Etheridge, 41, McAllen, admitted he filmed himself committing the sexual abuse and assault of two minor children from on or about Jan. 1, 2020, to approximately Oct. 1, 2020. As part of her guilty plea, Alicia Cronkhite, 29, Edinburg, admitted she took photographs of one minor victim’s exposed genitals and transmitted those photographs to Etheridge at his request.

Etheridge and Cronkhite pleaded guilty to two counts and one count of production of child pornography, respectively. Etheridge also admitted to coercion and enticement of a minor, while Cronkhite entered her plea to aiding and abetting the coercion and enticement of a minor.

The investigation led authorities to an IP address in McAllen that had uploaded images and videos depicting minor children engaged in sex acts. On Oct. 2, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant and encountered Etheridge at the residence. He soon admitted he had filmed himself sexually assaulting one minor victim.

Further investigation revealed communication between Etheridge and Cronkhite detailing the sexual exploitation of another minor victim. Authorities searched her residence, at which time she admitted she produced multiple images of a minor victim and transmitted the images to Etheridge.

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing June 15. At that time, both Etheridge and Cronkhite face a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

They have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

Statewide robbery spree lands Columbus man in federal prison

 Previously convicted felon committed armed robberies across Georgia

SAVANNAH, GA:  A Columbus man who crisscrossed Georgia while committing a series of robberies has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

Lawrence Dominique Franklin, 37, of Columbus, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge William T. Moore Jr. after pleading guilty to Armed Bank Robbery, Bank Robbery, and Interference with Commerce by Robbery, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison term, Franklin will be required to serve five years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

“A previously convicted armed robber, Lawrence Franklin had been out of prison for barely four months before he took up a weapon and threatened store clerks and bank employees in multiple violent robberies across Georgia,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Our law enforcement partners did an outstanding job in identifying Franklin and bringing him to justice, once again removing this menace from our streets.”

“In the course of a week, Lawrence Franklin charted a path of violence and mayhem from one end of Georgia to the other,” said Kurt R. Erskine, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. “Thankfully, quick and collaborative action on the state and federal levels led to the defendant’s capture and has brought him to justice.”

“This violent criminal will be imprisoned for many years, without parole, where he will no longer be able to threaten our communities,” said Peter D. Leary, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I commend our federal, state and local law enforcement officers for tracking this defendant across the state and bringing him to justice.”

As described in court, documents, and testimony, Franklin was released in July 2019 after serving more than 11 years in state prison for armed robbery. He then began a violent crime spree that started November 25, 2019, when he entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Columbus, Ga. wearing a construction worker vest, pointed a gun at the manager and threatened to “blast” several bank employees. Before departing, he stole thousands of dollars from multiple teller stations.

Three days later, again wearing a construction worker vest, he robbed a Dollar General store in Savannah, forced an employee to open the store safe, and fled with a large amount of cash. The next day, he robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in Newnan, Ga., again by revealing a gun from underneath a construction worker vest and threatening to shoot bank employees.

Franklin told law enforcement officials that, to facilitate his crimes, he kidnapped a woman and threatened to hurt her children unless she drove him from one robbery to the next and helped him escape.

Within three days of the Newnan robbery, Franklin was arrested in Atlanta. After grand juries returned separate federal indictments for the robberies, the cases were consolidated for plea and sentencing in the Southern District of Georgia.

“Franklin decided to continue his life of crime even after serving nearly a dozen years in prison,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “He clearly did not learn his lesson and continued to terrorize innocent civilians who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hopefully, those victims are able to take some comfort in the fact that he is going back to prison and won't be a threat to them for a long time.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, Savannah Police Department, Columbus Police Department, Newnan Police Department, and Atlanta Police Department.  It is being prosecuted for the United States by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia; by Northern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg; and by Middle District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Williams.

Trial Attorney-Torts/Aviation, Space & Admiralty-San Francisco Field Office

 Civil Division (CIV)

Torts-Aviation, Space and Admiralty-San Francisco Field Office
Attorney
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States
DE-11055220-21-CM
About the Office: 

The San Francisco Field Office of the Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section of the Torts Branch handles maritime cases on behalf of the United States primarily in the Ninth Circuit, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. Client agencies include the Navy and the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Departments of Homeland Security, Interior, Transportation, and Commerce.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Job Description: 

The trial attorney will be responsible for all aspects of representing the United States in admiralty actions brought under Public Vessels Act, Suits in Admiralty Act, and other maritime-related statutes and admiralty law, including marine pollution laws. Duties include preparation of pleadings, pretrial discovery, researching, writing and arguing motions, conducting alternative dispute resolution, and all aspects of trial and appellate case work.

Qualifications: 

Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least three years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level (other factors are taken into consideration as well, such as litigation experience, relevance of experience to our practice area, etc.). You must also be a U.S. citizen.

Admiralty litigation experience is strongly preferred.

Salary: 
$132,822.00 to $172,500.00 Per Year for GS-14 to GS-15
Travel: 
You may be expected to travel for this position.
Application Process: 

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by midnight, Pacific Daylight Time, on the listed closing date. A complete application package must include:
1. Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience).
2. Résumé - Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
3. Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length, and must be written in the past 3 years).
4. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 Copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: bonnie.li@usdoj.gov

Given current conditions, applications sent via mail are strongly discouraged, but if necessary, applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division Torts Branch -Aviation, Space and Admiralty
P. O. Box 36028, Room 7-5395
450 Golden Gate Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Attn: Bonnie Li

No telephone calls, please.

Applications must be postmarked by no later than the closing date of this advertisement (applications submitted by e-mail must be received by midnight, Pacific Daylight Time on the closing date of this advertisement).

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 
Friday, April 16, 2021
Relocation Expenses: 
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.
Number of Positions: 
1
Updated April 1, 2021

*         *         *

Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor.  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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  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.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  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. 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.

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).

 

*         *         *

 

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.