What are the responsibilities and job description for the CLC Attorney position at U.S. Department of Justice?
The legal practice at the Los Angeles Consolidated Legal Center (CLC), with office location at either the Metropolitan Detention Center, Los Angeles, CA, (MDC LOS), or the Federal Correctional Complex, Victorville, CA, (FCC Victorville), covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law, either through administrative channels or litigation in federal court. Issues include such matters as inmates' reasonable access to the courts (e.g., access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement (e.g., medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene & sanitation), and post-sentence administration (e.g., sentence computation and inmate discipline).
This position is part of the Los Angeles CLC, and the position may be located at either MDC Los Angeles or FCC Victorville, as part of a legal team that oversees legal matters in the Central District of California associated with Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operations, which includes the following correctional institutions: Metropolitan Detention Center at Los Angeles (MDC LOS), Federal Correctional Institution at Terminal Island (FCI Terminal Island), Federal Correctional Complex at Lompoc (FCC Lompoc), and the Federal Correctional Complex at Victorville (FCC Victorville).
As a member of the Los Angeles CLC, the incumbent is expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at these correctional facilities, including members of the Executive Staff. The incumbent may also be required to handle other BOP legal matters as assigned, which are outside the Central District of California and pertain to other BOP institutions. The incumbent will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials. The incumbent must have thorough knowledge of all aspects of BOP policy and practice as he/she may be required to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency's rationale for its correctional management decisions.
This is a primary law enforcement position. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, the maximum entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons correctional institution. If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you must submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. The duties of this position may at times require frequent and direct contact with individuals in confinement who are suspected or convicted of serious criminal offenses. It has also been determined that the duties of this position require experience and knowledge of the on-the-job responsibilities of a primary law enforcement officer working in a detention facility. A prerequisite requirement of this position is the successful completion of 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I' locally and, the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase II' at the Staff Training Academy.
Because of the nature and mission of this position, it requires "hands-on" understanding of the issues encompassed in working within an institution. The incumbent may be called on to perform as a law enforcement officer in a correctional environment during training, emergency situations, times of staff shortages, and under any other type of correctional operating crisis. Specific correctional responsibilities may include custody and supervision of inmates, responding to emergencies and institution disturbances, participating in fog and escape patrols, and assuming correctional officer posts when necessary. The incumbent may be required to conduct pat down and visual searches of inmates and search inmate work or living areas for contraband. The incumbent must be prepared to use physical control in situations where necessary, such as in fights among inmates, assaults on staff, and during riots or escape attempts.
Applicant must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1 year of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
Preferred qualifications: Prior and extensive experience in correctional law and/or federal civil litigation is preferred, but not required.
Applicants must submit a resume, list of references, a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a writing sample by April 25, 2025, to Dominic Ayotte, Regional Counsel at cayotte@bop.gov.
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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14.
