Attorney Advisor - General (Assistant General Counsel - FOIA)

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. Our highly-skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security. Through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors.

The Legal Administrative Branch of the Office of General Counsel encompasses the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Section. This section is responsible for processing requests for documents pursuant to the FOIA/PA, as well as related litigation. Attorneys working in the FOIA Section apply their expertise, skills, and education to serve as agency counsel in defending the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in FOIA lawsuits brought by private parties and public interest groups seeking records of BOP operations and activities. Attorneys regularly handle litigation seeking sensitive records within the agency's possession and also serve as subject matter experts and provide legal and policy guidance to officials at all levels within the BOP with regard to its FOIA program and other issues of public access to the BOP information and records. The incumbent exercises discretion and independent judgment in the applications of laws and executive orders, regulations, precedents, and agency practices related to the FOIA/PA. The incumbent will be expected to provide expert legal advice and guidance on an array of information access issues to the highest levels of BOP management. The incumbent will work with Central Office, regional and institution management and line staff with respect to litigation affecting the BOP, as well as working with the United States Attorney's Offices. The incumbent should have knowledge of the FOIA/PA practice, procedure, and law, responding directly to complex and high profile FOIA/PA requests, and will participate as agency counsel in FOIA/PA related litigation. Incumbent will liaise with the Department of Justice's Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties on Privacy Act-related issues, which include component reporting requirements and legal requirements to create and/or maintain Systems of Records. Incumbent will review records in-depth for consultation and disclosure determinations, draft declarations and Vaughn indexes. Incumbent will assist FOIA/PA's Supervisory Attorney in approving documents for release pursuant to non-BOP audits by the Government Accounting Office, Office of Inspector General, and pursuant to the Federal Information Security Management Act. The Practice areas related to this position are: Freedom Of Information And Privacy Acts, Correctional Law, Complex Litigation.

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

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.