Join our team! The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking an experienced attorney to work in the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program. The PSOB 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. Learn more about BJA and PSOB at www.bja.ojp.gov/program/psob.

Duties

Legal Advice and Guidance under the PSOB Act Provides advice on legal problems that affect a significant segment of public interest, but lack clearly applicable legal precedents due to the complexity of the program or the novelty of the issue. Advises on laws, regulations of federal agencies, opinions of the courts, common law, and administrative law. Legal Support and Advice on PSOB Matters Responsible for developing the materials that become the agency's justification for policies and procedures for legal review of claims for a high profile and mission critical public officers benefits program. Independently develops completed decisions, reports, briefs, opinions, and other products affiliated with difficult legal issues in a specialty area affecting a significant segment of public interest. Drafts legislation and regulations or prepares complete reports on changes in basic legislation and regulations pertaining to legal matters pertaining to the PSOB Program. Reviews proposed legislation and regulations to determine impact on the PSOB Program and drafts memoranda and guidance regarding the impact of the proposed changes on the PSOB Program. Evaluates and prepares written comments on the proposed legislation and regulations in terms of its foreseeable effect on agency programs, policies, procedures, regulations, methods of operation, extent of operation, and on existing legislation and regulations. Makes recommendations based on the comments of operating organizations, personal program knowledge, awareness of the legal implications of the proposed legislation, and knowledge of related legislation. Proposes alternative language or policy changes to draft legislation and recommendations changes as appropriate. Legal Review and Edit of PSOB Work Products Under the direction and in the absence of PSOB Counsel, oversees and manages the process for legal review of the PSOB claims. Responsible for training legal personnel assigned to the PSOB Program. Reviews and edits the work product of legal personnel assigned to the PSOB Program, ensuring legal and factual accuracy and Program consistency. Performs legal research in connection with issues of higher complexity that arise in particular claims of the Program and advises on Federal laws and regulations, rules and policies of the Department of Justice and other Federal agencies, opinions of the Agency's General Counsel, the common law, administrative law, and state laws (among others). Prepares and renders well-reasoned and thorough legal advice as required for claims before the Program. In coordination with the BJA and PSOB Directors and PSOB Legal Counsel, recommends policies and develops procedures and regulations to implement the PSOB Act.

Requirements

• 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.
• Security Requirements: Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk
• This appointment is subject to the completion of a 2-year trial period.
• This position requires active bar membership (any jurisdiction) in good standing.

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements and Minimum Qualifications To be eligible for this position, applicants must: Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school; and Be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction) GS-13 Qualifications: Have a minimum of three (3) years of post J.D./LL.B legal experience, two (2) of 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). GS-14 Qualifications: Have a minimum of four (4) years of post J.D./LL.B legal experience, three (3) of 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). All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

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

Contacts

• Address BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE DO NOT MAIL Washington, DC 20531 US
• Name: Bradley Mitchell
• Email: [email protected]