Job Description

Chief Legal Counsel, PSOB Program

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

Summary

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the Office of Justice Programs seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Chief Legal Counsel for the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program. The PSOB Program provides death, education, and disability 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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal attorney for the BJA Director and PSOB Program, providing legal counsel on complex issues.
• Prepare administrative decisions, reports, legal briefs, opinions, and other documents related to PSOB legal matters.
• Participate in drafting legislation and regulations, and review proposed legislation to assess its impact on the PSOB Program.
• Coordinate the PSOB Legal Counsels Office, establishing project goals, procedures, and policies to streamline legal reviews.
• Provide updates to national public safety organizations and survivor groups about laws and regulations.
• Assist BJA and PSOB Directors in responding to congressional and media inquiries and prepare materials for websites.
• Advise the Office of the Chief Financial Officer on PSOB Program legal submissions for budgets and DOJ spend plans.
• Support DOJ Litigating components and trial attorneys handling PSOB claims appeals.
• Review claims filed under the PSOB Act and provide legal advice on adequacy of determinations.
• Oversee initiallevel legal review of claims, provide guidance to hearing officer reviews, and draft final determinations.
• Train legal personnel assigned to the program and perform required legal research.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Subject to background/suitability investigation.
• Federal payments must be made by Direct Deposit.
• Registration for Selective Service required.
• Preemployment drug testing required.
• Subject to a 2year trial period; 1year supervisory probationary period may be required.
• Active bar membership in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Confidential Financial Disclosure may be required.

Qualifications

• J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Minimum of 4 years postJ.D./LL.B. legal experience in areas such as programs providing disability or death benefits, torts, workers compensation, or PSOB programs.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Other Position Requirements

Requires admission to the bar and active license in at least one jurisdiction. Requires professional knowledge of statutes, orders, rules and regulations governing adjudication of federal claims.

Additional Information

• Duty Station: Washington, D.C.
• Eligible for a transportation benefitparking or DOJ transit subsidy.
• Telework possible in accordance with agency policy.
• Exempt from bargaining unit.
• Recruitment incentives may not be authorized.
• This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 nonmerit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Other Relevant Notes

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits inquiries about an applicant's criminal history before a conditional offer. Violations may be reported within 30 days.
Drugfree workplace policy: Applicants must pass a drug test for illegal drug use before final appointment.

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