Summary

The Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ) is the primary point of contact for the Department of Justice for federally recognized Tribes, advises the Department on legal and policy matters pertaining to Native Americans, promotes internal uniformity of Department policies and litigating positions relating to Indian country, and ensures that the Department clearly communicates policies and positions to Tribal leaders.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Open to the public

Duties

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

As a Attorney Adviser (Indian Matters) GS-0905-15, your typical work assignments may include the following:

OTJ is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Attorney Advisors to provide counsel and assistance to the Director and Deputy Directors. OTJ attorneys:

-Provide advice on significant tribal justice matters and assist in policy and legislative development and review.

-Provide advice to OTJ leadership on Department components litigating, protecting or otherwise addressing Native American rights and/or related issues.

-Review proposed legal actions submitted by divisions that require OTJ approval or coordination.

-Perform legal research on assigned questions or law or policy and prepare reports and memoranda.

-Assist in coordinating with attorneys and officials of the Department, other government agencies, and interested parties to provide guidance and advice to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and policy requirements.

-Assist in maintaining liaison with federally recognized tribes, and work with the appropriate federal, tribal, state, and local officials, professional associations, and public interest groups.

-Develop, coordinate and execute special projects as assigned by the Director or the Deputy Directors.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
• May require completion of two-year trial period
• Top Secret-level security clearance required.
• OGE 450 requirement: you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines

Qualifications

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree with at least two years of post J.D. experience, and be an active member of a bar (any jurisdiction). Applicants must be proficient in analyzing complex legal information, producing clear and thorough written work, effectively advocate for a legal position, and have excellent interpersonal skills. Experience with Federal Indian Law is required. Prosecution and/or litigation experience is strongly preferred but not required. The incumbent must be able to obtain a Top Secret-level security clearance.

Grade Specific Qualifications:

• To qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must have five years of post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include preparing court documents, presentations, and other written material involving or addressing unique and/or difficult issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting complex civil or criminal litigation (to include appellate practitioners); analyzing complex cases for legal sufficiency; and providing expert, specialized advice and consultation.

Additional information

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.

USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

• 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.
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Suitability and Citizenship: 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. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans: 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-pointpreference 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 their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

• 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.
  
  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.
  
  Interested candidates should submit all of the following:
  
  1. Cover letter (highlighting relevant experience),
  2. Resume (see this USAJOBS Resume Writing Tutorial),
  3. Unofficial law school transcript,
  4. Professional legal writing sample (not to exceed 20 pages),
  5. Official certificate showing that the applicant is an active member in good standing of a state bar,
  6. Performance appraisal (if a current federal employee) issued within the last 12 months, or if none exists, a statement to that effect, and
  7. Copy of your latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if a current federal employee).
  
  Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to OTJ@usdoj.gov. Please reference announcement OTJ-24-001 in your email subject line.
  
  
  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
  
  Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to OTJ@usdoj.gov. Please reference announcement OTJ-24-001 in your email subject line.
  
  This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. 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.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Daisy Navarrete
  
  Phone
  
  202-316-2951
  
  Email
  
  daisy.navarrete@usdoj.gov
  
  Address
  
  Office of Tribal Justice
  
  2 Constitution Square
  
  145 N Street NE
  
  Room 9W.300
  
  Washington, DC 20530
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Interested candidates should submit all of the following:

1. Cover letter (highlighting relevant experience),
2. Resume (see this USAJOBS Resume Writing Tutorial),
3. Unofficial law school transcript,
4. Professional legal writing sample (not to exceed 20 pages),
5. Official certificate showing that the applicant is an active member in good standing of a state bar,
6. Performance appraisal (if a current federal employee) issued within the last 12 months, or if none exists, a statement to that effect, and
7. Copy of your latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if a current federal employee).

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to OTJ@usdoj.gov. Please reference announcement OTJ-24-001 in your email subject line.


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

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to OTJ@usdoj.gov. Please reference announcement OTJ-24-001 in your email subject line.

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. 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.

Agency contact information

Daisy Navarrete

Phone

202-316-2951

Email

daisy.navarrete@usdoj.gov

Address

Office of Tribal Justice

2 Constitution Square

145 N Street NE

Room 9W.300

Washington, DC 20530

US

Next steps

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships.

Fair & Transparent

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

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