Pro Se Staff Attorney

Duties

This position is on-site but will be a hybrid between the Alexandria and Richmond divisions. Candidates will be expected to select a primary duty station and travel as needed to the opposite division for training and performance of job duties. Some telework is authorized. Preference given to candidates able to start as soon as possible. This position requires a three (3) year commitment.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• taking primary responsibility for a portion of the Court's pro se prisoner docket;
• providing substantive legal analysis of pleadings and making recommendations directly to the district judges regarding the dispositions of motions;
• drafting appropriate orders and opinions for review by district judges;
• efficiently managing the flow of the Court's pro se prisoner litigation;
• providing information to district judges and court staff on legal issues unique to pro se prisoner litigation;
• evaluating existing procedures and developing and implementing improved processes for the adjudication of the Court's pro se prisoner litigation;
• preparing periodic reports for judges on trends in the pro se prisoner docket;
• conducting legal research and keeping abreast of developments in the law regarding capital habeas cases in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court;
• reviewing voluminous state court records and trial transcripts;
• consulting with judges regarding capital habeas issues and cases;
• coordinating case-related activities with state and federal courts and agencies;
• collaborating with other staff attorneys and chambers law clerks; and
• performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Applicant must be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the United States. A criminal background check will be initiated before a final job offer. All court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, which is available to applicants upon request. Employees of the United States District Court are Excepted Service Appointments. Excepted service appointments are at will and can be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to use the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  Review our benefits

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Please read the "How to Apply" section.

  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

  To apply, submit a cover letter; detailed résumé including educational background, past employment, and references; a law school transcript; and a writing sample. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by April 1, 2025. The application package should be sent to:
  
  Danae Holmes Rodriguez
  Director of Human Resources
  United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  600 Granby Street, Suite 200
  Norfolk, VA 23510
  
  Alternatively, you may email your application materials to: jobbox6@vaed.uscourts.gov

  Agency contact information

  Danae Holmes Rodriguez

  Email

  Jobbox6@vaed.uscourts.gov

  Address

  United States District Court - Eastern District of Virginia
  Walter E. Hoffman United States Courthouse
  600 Granby Street, Suite 200
  Norfolk, VA 23510
  US

  Next steps

  All applications will be reviewed to identify the best qualified candidates. Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Applicants not selected for an interview will not receive notice concerning the status of their application.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is for one vacancy with two possible locations.