Summary

Join our team! The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program. The PSOB Program provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

Duties

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The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is responsible for providing federal leadership and assistance in support of state and local criminal justice strategies to achieve safe communities and its Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

PSOB Act Analysis, Advice and Guidance

Addresses complex legal issues while serving as the principal attorney in charge providing legal counsel to the BJA Director and the PSOB Program. Prepares administrative decisions, reports, legal briefs, opinions, and other documents related to PSOB legal matters. Participates in the drafting of legislation and regulations. Provides legal guidance to support the program's policies and procedures.

Reviews and advises on matters concerning the legality of any obligation or claim presented for approval, certification, or payment with respect to the PSOB program. Reviews proposed legislation and regulations to assess their impact on the PSOB program and drafts memoranda and guidance accordingly. Makes recommendations based on feedback from the PSOB Program and assesses the legal implications of proposed legislation. Suggests alternative language as appropriate.

Coordinates the work of the PSOB's Legal Counsel's Office, and establishes clear project goals, systems, and methodologies to enhance the legal review process, case tracking, communications with the PSOB Office, work assignments, and timely case processing. Develops policies and procedures to streamline legal reviews, reduce backlogs, and improve the timeliness, of claim determinations.

Provides updates to national public safety organizations and survivor groups about laws and regulations. In keeping with OJP procedures, assists BJA and PSOB Directors in responding to congressional and media inquiries regarding the Program. Prepares various materials and updates to websites to educate stakeholders and the public about the PSOB Program and the PSOB claims process.

Provides information and guidance to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer on PSOB Program legal matter-related submissions for the President's budget, including Office of Management and Budget data-call submissions and DOJ spend plans. Provides advice and support to DOJ Litigating components and Trial Attorneys responsible for handling PSOB Claims appeals in federal court.

PSOB Claims Review

Reviews claims filed under the PSOB Act and provides well-reasoned and thorough legal advice as to legal sufficiency of determinations and adjudicates initial claims as necessary. Provides advice, support, assistance, and direction to all BJA personnel in evaluating what evidence or information may be necessary, desirable, or relevant to such processing or adjudication, and in obtaining such evidence or information,

including from State, local, and federal agencies, as well as private parties, and including, as appropriate, through the use of administrative subpoenas. Ensures that the language of claim determinations is legally and factually sufficient in articulating legal and factual grounds of the decision.

Oversees and manages the process for initial-level legal review of claims, provides legal guidance to independent hearing officer reviews of claims, and drafts final agency determinations of claims for BJA Director consideration. Trains legal personnel assigned to the program. Performs legal research in connection with issues that arise in particular claims and advises on relevant federal laws and regulations, DOJ rules and policies, and other laws that may be implicated by claims.

Performs Other Duties As Assigned.

Other Position Requirements: Requires admission to the bar and active license in at least one jurisdiction. Requires professional knowledge of the statutes, orders, rules and regulations applicable to the adjudication of federal claims. Requires expertise in how to work in partnership with public safety officers and national public safety organizations or similar organizations. Requires knowledge of the mission, structure and overall responsibilities of public safety agencies at the state and local levels.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship required.
Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
Pre-employment drug testing required.
This appointment is subject to completion of a 2-year trial period.
This position requires active bar membership (any jurisdiction) in good standing.
1-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
Confidential Financial Disclosure may be required.

Qualifications

Applicants must:

Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
Be an active member of the bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).
Have a minimum of four (4) years of post J.D./LL.B legal experience, which must have been in at least one of the following areas:
- In handling legal matters involving programs such as those providing disability, death, and education benefits, or other complex programs governed by law, regulation and procedures;
- In handling Torts, insurance claims, workers' compensation or similar matters; or
- Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB).

Supervisory experience is preferred but not required.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree.

Additional information

Duty Station: This position has a duty station of Washington, D.C.
OJP employees are eligible for one transportation benefit - parking or the Department of Justice (DOJ) transit subsidy.
Please do not indicate current or former position salary in your application or resume.
This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.
This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
Recruitment incentives may not be authorized.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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.

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

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Chief Legal Counsel, PSOB Program