Summary
The Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO) provides investigative and prosecutorial support, legal advice, and statutorily required review and approval in almost 40 distinct subject areas. The Office also processes all requests for Criminal Division records made pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and assist U.S. Attorneys' Offices in advocating the Division's position in civil litigation filed under these statutes.
Duties
As a Trial Attorney in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) / Privacy Act (PA) Unit, the incumbent will: Assist the Unit Chief, Deputy Chief, and other Unit supervisors in the processing of Division records requested pursuant to the FOIA or the PA, and ensure that the searches and processing are conducted in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Assist in preparation of pleadings and in the defense of the Criminal Division in litigation brought under the FOIA/PA. Plan and assign work to subordinates, evaluate work performance, provide advice and instruction to staff, make recommendations to the Unit supervisors on training needs, and provide technical direction to staff when needed. Review Division records located as a result of FOIA or PA requests and have first-line responsibility for determining whether these records should be released in full, in part, or withheld. Recommend whether or not a document should be classified or declassified in whole or in part. Make recommendations to Unit supervisors in presenting the Division's views to the reviewing official where the Division's initial FOIA or PA determination is being challenged by way of an administrative appeal within the Department. Ensure that any subsequent release of Division information is properly coordinated within the Division. Assist in the establishment of Division policy. As appropriate, comment on, or review regulations, and prepare or supervise the preparation of Division directives relating to the application and implementation of the FOIA and/or PA. Assist in the preparation of new PA systems of records for Division components, and work with components to ensure their publication in the Federal Register. Assist in the preparation of statistical reports for both the Congress and internal use to reflect Division's activities under FOIA and PA during each fiscal year.
Education
A J.D., or equivalent, degree. Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than a J.D. may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.
How you will be evaluated
BASIS OF RATING: Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13028846. 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).