Duties

The Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking a Deputy Associate Chief Counsel for the General Law and Information Division (GLID) to oversee its advice and guidance on Federal forfeiture laws. This supervisory attorney position is located in Washington, DC, is part of OCC’s management team, and is assigned to the Associate Chief Counsel, General Law and Information Division.

This Deputy Associate Chief Counsel for the GLID supervises the Division’s federal forfeiture work, including the most difficult and complex legal issues relating to Federal forfeiture authorities. The attorney provides authoritative legal advice to ATF’s senior executives, supervisors, and employees, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the United States Attorney’s Offices on legal issues relating to ATF’s mission, including the administration and enforcement of the Federal firearms, explosives, and arson laws, and matters involving federal forfeiture law. OCC’s GLID provides extensive legal support and substantial input on all federal forfeiture related issues and ensures legal advice and guidance is consistent with applicable federal law and DOJ and ATF policies. This legal advice and guidance is precise, accurate, and up to date with the latest legal opinions and laws.

As an Attorney - Advisor, GS-905-15 (Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, GLID) your typical work assignments may include:

• Advise on the most difficult and complex legal issues relating to Federal forfeiture authority and Federal Criminal law (e.g., search and seizure, Title III electronic surveillance, Giglio cases, cybercrime and computer forensics, informant and undercover issues, diversion of alcohol and tobacco products, disclosure and/or the protection of information, disclosures in criminal proceedings, and Federal forfeiture authority.)
• Supervise attorneys who provide guidance, legal oversight, and assistance to the Office of Management, Asset Forfeiture and Seized Property Division, regarding the implementation and operation of ATF's asset forfeiture and seized property program.
• Coordinate closely with field attorneys on individual asset forfeiture matters and serve as a legal liaison with other Department of Justice entities involved in coordinating the seizure and forfeiture of property associated with violations of Federal law; deliver training, legal advice, and associated approvals within established processes for the seizure and forfeiture of property under the authority delegated by 28 CFR § 0.130(b).
• Coordinate closely with other OCC managers, particularly the ACCs for the Field Regions, to ensure consistency in the legal positions expressed by the OCC.
• Provide legal advice to supervisors, managers, and executives throughout the agency in Deputy Associate Chief Counsel’s subject matter area. The Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, as the Division’s first line supervisor, will be required to review work relating to all legal areas covered by GLID, specifically the asset forfeiture and seized property program. The attorney will also supervise a team of attorneys who provide legal training to ATF’s agents, investigators, and other employees.

• Additionally, the attorney is required to perform a full range of supervisory duties including establishing overall office policies, practices, work priorities, and goals directly assigning work to staff and evaluating their performance; coordinating and facilitating the work of the office with higher management levels; making selections for subordinates (subject to internal approval requirements); resolving disciplinary problems and other conflicts raised within the office; monitoring employee training programs, to ensure personnel are trained in their areas of responsibility; evaluating subordinates; and approving performance standards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test
• Must successfully complete a background security investigation
• A Financial Disclosure Form may be required
• Must provide a legal writing sample (no more than 15 pages)
• May be required to serve a one year probationary period
• May be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements described in this announcement by the closing date.

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF’s mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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.

  The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
  
  If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran, you may be eligible to use leave under the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015. This act grants leave for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for a disability instead of using regular sick. For additional information see: Disabled Veteran Leave

  .

  Review our 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.

• 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.

  Required Documents:

  • Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
  • Veterans' preference documentation (Member Copy 4 of DD-214, Revised October 2013 SF-15 https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and VA letter, if applicable. NOTE: The revised October 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy and all others are not usable.
  • Must provide a legal writing sample (no more than 15 pages)
  • CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.
  • Law school transcript (Note: If you’re selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.)
  • Legal Writing Sample

  It is your responsibility to ensure all documents are received on time and the materials are legible. If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, please contact us at the telephone number listed on this announcement. Applicants MUST CONTACT US PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Paper applications submitted without prior approval from the agency point of contact may be handled as incomplete. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, update your profile information in MYUSAJOBS as well as contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process.
  
  Prior to selection, the candidate may be required to provide an original copy of any supporting/ validating documentation as well as other documentation to verify eligibility. The candidate may also be required to provide official college and law school transcripts. All required materials must be uploaded using the supporting documentation instructions described in the announcement.
  
  Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in elimination of further consideration for this position.

  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

  This job is filled through a 3-step on-line application process.
  
  STEP ONE - (Online Resume - USAJOBS) You must create a user account and at least one Federal resume at USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to ATF Seeker when you apply online. If you have an existing USAJOBS account, simply login and select the resume you wish to include with your application package for this announcement.
  
  STEP TWO - (Vacancy Specific Questions USAJobs) In USAJobs, you will answer vacancy specific questions necessary to evaluate your qualifications for the job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the USAJob questions will become your application package.
  
  STEP THREE - (Supporting Documentation) You may upload supporting documentation in one of two ways:
  
  (l) Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application package. You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process, or you can select a document that you've already loaded on USAJOBS, or simply fax supporting documentation, which will provide you the necessary cover sheets for each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted to the appropriate vacancy announcement. The fax number will be available on the cover sheet.
  
  (2) You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile. Click on "My Applications" and search for the vacancy. Once you have located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select "Apply Online". Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select "Upload" in order to add a document to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g. DD-214) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

  Agency contact information

  Tawn White

  Phone

  202-648-7307

  Fax

  202-648-9720

  Email

  Tawn.White@atf.gov

  Address

  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
  Please apply online
  99 New York Avenue NE
  Washington, District of Columbia 20226
  United States

  Next steps

  After the vacancy closes, the Human Resources Office will use the application package to automatically rate, rank and certify candidates. You can check the status of your application anytime by accessing the USAJOBS online application system at http://www.usajobs.gov. You will need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and Password to access the Track your Online Job Application feature. You may also click on the link provided to access additional information on USAJobs. All applicants will be notified at four (4) stages in the hiring process:
  
  (1) upon receipt of your application;
  
  (2) after your qualifications have been assessed;
  
  (3) whether or not you've been referred to the Selecting Official; and
  
  (4) whether or not you've been selected for the position. The hiring manager makes a selection from well qualified applicants.

  If your name is sent to the hiring manager, you may be invited for an interview.

  After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer to selectee(s) upon favorable completion of the background.

• Fair and Transparent

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

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

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. citizens. This is an Excepted Service position.