Senior Attorney - Training Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 25-02 Department U. S. Sentencing Commission
Salary $139,395.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 14 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/6/2024 Close Date 12/4/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The U. S. Sentencing Commission is seeking a Senior Attorney - Training. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director and the Director of the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice and provides training and assistance to probation officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges on the federal sentencing guidelines and related sentencing issues.

Duties

The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director and the Director of ESP, and provides training and assistance to probation officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges on the federal sentencing guidelines and related sentencing issues. The incumbent performs a variety of tasks and responsibilities dealing with federal sentencing in general, and the federal sentencing guidelines, in particular. This position requires relocation to the Washington DC metro area and requires moderate to frequent travel within the 50 states and territories of the United States.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Online and in-person training of judges, probation officers, law clerks, prosecutors, and defense attorneys on federal sentencing guidelines.
  • Developing visual training materials on federal sentencing guidelines.
  • Researching and analyzing statutes and case law related to federal sentencing and criminal procedure.
  • Acting as a resource for other staff in resolving sentencing-related issues.
  • In consultation with the Director of ESP, identifying sentencing guideline provisions possibly in need of amendment.
  • Participating in or leading multi-disciplinary working groups that focus on implementing new legislation, developing proposed sentencing guideline amendments, and other sentencing issues.
  • Representing the Commission at professional conferences.
  • Completing other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director of ESP, or Director of ESP, or by the Staff Director.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
  • Applicants must possess a law degree (JD) from an accredited law school and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a Federal court of general jurisdiction.
  • Applicants must have a minimum of five years of legal experience in or directly related to the line of work of this position.
  • Applicants must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact successfully with outside constituents and agency staff at all levels.
  • Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level of the grade for which they are applying. For example, to qualify for the GS-15, one year of specialized experience must have been at the GS-14 level or equivalent.
Applicants must have demonstrated work experience related to the mandatory requirements listed below and must address the qualification requirements in an attached cover letter or separate narrative statement.
  • Knowledge of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 and the functions of the Commission.
  • Expertise in federal sentencing law and guideline application.
  • Excellent ability to express, orally and in writing, complex legal issues in clear and succinct language so that the concepts are understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers.
  • Excellent legal analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated aptitude as a trainer or instructor of adult learners in the legal field.
  • Experience conducting legal research related to criminal law or sentencing involving analysis of statutes, proposed legislation, case law, and governmental and private reports.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels as well as with key individuals in a variety of other federal organizations and interest groups, including the Federal Judicial Center, Defender Services, Department of Justice, and United States Probation and Pretrial Services, among others.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Highly competitive applicants will have the following:
  • Experience as a criminal defense attorney or prosecutor in federal court at the trial or appellate level.
  • Experience as a trainer or instructor of graduate-level or adult learners in the legal field.
BENEFITS
The Commission participates in the following federal benefits:
  • The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program
  • the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
  • the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program
  • federal retirement
  • the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
  • and the federal leave program
  • In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, and the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.

The Commission is conveniently located next to Union Station on Capitol Hill, and is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Metro, and the MARC and VRE commuter trains. In addition to the federal benefits package, the Commission's location in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building offers various amenities such as a health unit, credit union, day care center, food services, and free on-site fitness center.

The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in 9 workdays.

The Commission offers regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework site. The current policy allows this position to regularly telework up to three days per week.

The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through LinkedIn Learning, and the Judiciary's Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. These training tools assist Commission employees with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.

Education

Applicants must possess a law degree (JD) from an accredited law school and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a Federal court of general jurisdiction.

Additional information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

  • This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service.
  • All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
  • Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf.
  • The Commission participates in E-Verify and will confirm your authorization to work in the United States.
  • A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.
  • All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.
  • All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.
  • Applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.

Benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview process. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary video conference interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.

The Office of Human Resources:

  • Reviews each application to ensure the proper materials are submitted.
  • Ensures that the application addresses all of the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement.
  • Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the particular position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application.

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Cover letter that addresses all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement
  • If available, college transcripts
  • If available, a recent job performance evaluation.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

In order to be considered, all applicants must submit an electronic resume and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts. Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire. All applications must be submitted through the USAJobs website.

Agency contact information

Corinne Smith
Address
United States Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE Suite 2-500
Washington, DC 20002
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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