Attorney Advisor

This position is located in the Defender Services Office (DSO), Legal and Policy Division (LPD). DSO administers the federal appointed counsel program consisting of federal public defender and community defender organizations and private panel attorneys. The Defender Services Program operates pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), 18 U.S.C. 3006A.

Applicants must possess a law degree (J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/.

DSO administers the hybrid system of federally appointed counsel consisting of federal defender organizations and private Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorneys. DSO also serves as staff and counsel to the Judicial Conference's Defender Services Committee (DSC). LPD supports the DSC and the federal defense community by providing legal and policy guidance. For more information, visit: https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/defender-services.The incumbent will be committed to upholding the Defender Services program mission, which is to ensure that the right to counsel guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, the CJA, and other statutory mandates are enforced on behalf of the clients who cannot afford to retain counsel and other necessary defense services.

Job duties may include but are not limited to:

1. Supporting the work of the Defender Services Committee by writing briefs and serving as an expert on laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the CJA.
2. Preparing written materials on a variety of legal, policy, and resource issues as part of the bi-annual meeting cycle.
3. Supporting standing and ad hoc subcommittees of the Defender Services Committee.
4. Responding to requests for information and research from the Chair and members of the Committee.
5. Researching various legal and policy issues affecting the delivery of services under the CJA and related statutes.
6. Developing and communicating program policies and guidance through facilitation of stakeholder advisory and working groups and assisting courts in maintaining consistency in the application of laws and statutes.
7. Interpreting policies and guidance related to the CJA, consulting with Administrative Office and court personnel, federal defenders, and panel attorneys to implement related policies and guidance.
8. Responding to telephone and written inquiries from judges and other court personnel, Congress (in coordination with other AO offices), federal defenders, CJA panel attorneys, and the public concerning the appointment and payment of counsel and experts in federal capital and non-capital cases and the operation of federal defender organizations.
9. Developing long-term programmatic strategies and initiatives to support federal defenders and CJA panel attorneys appointed to represent defendants in complex non-capital cases, federal capital habeas corpus proceedings, and federal capital prosecutions.
10. Supporting Defender Services Office leadership and members of the Defender Services Committee, with data-informed communications to advance public defense advocacy through the development of talking points, presentations at small meetings and large conferences, and other forms of written and oral communications materials.
11. Improving the integration and use of data in policy decisions and communications efforts within the DSO, and the LPD.
12. Providing guidance on major legislative matters.

Applicants must have demonstrated experience as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which include interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be an active 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 are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will constitute an incomplete application. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Post J.D. Experience: Applicants must also possess at least 2 years of post J.D. experience.

Specialized Experience: Subsequent to graduation from law school, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience for this position is demonstrated experience in federal criminal defense representation (capital or non-capital) through past employment in federal public defender or community defender organizations or CJA panels, interpreting and analyzing complex legal and policy issues, and drafting legal memoranda, opinions, and guidelines.

Submission of a cover letter is highly desired.