Attorney Advisor (Senior Counsel - Death Penalty)

Closing Date: 17th August, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
The incumbent is responsible for directing, managing, and implementing Presidential Executive Orders, Department of Justice (DOJ) directives and guidance, and BOP initiatives related to the federal death penalty. The incumbent works closely with and advises BOP Executive staff and DOJ senior leadership to develop and manage policy initiatives related to the death penalty and to ensure obligations related to the federal death penalty are fulfilled.

The incumbent provides legal advice and guidance regarding the confinement of death sentenced inmates, which may include issues relating to access to counsel and the courts, conditions of confinement, medical or mental health treatment, and access to or denial of rights or privileges unique to this population. This may require occasional travel to the Special Confinement Unit, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, or other facilities housing death-sentenced inmates.

The incumbent is responsible for analyzing, providing legal interpretations, and preparing reports concerning the development and implementation of the federal execution protocol. This may involve leading a team of attorneys and other subject matter experts to provide recommendations concerning the development, adoption, or modification of federal execution protocols.

The incumbent will assist U.S. Attorney's Offices and DOJ litigating components to defend litigation arising from the administration of the federal death penalty, execution protocols, or civil litigation relating to the confinement of death sentenced inmates and will provide assistance during capital prosecutions of federal defendants. The incumbent provides advice and guidance regarding the processing of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests concerning the federal death penalty and provides assistance to defend litigation resulting therefrom.

The incumbent may be required to attend federal executions to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory framework, legal precedent, Executive Orders, and departmental policy and may oversee, coordinate, or direct BOP staff in carrying out a federal death sentence.

Applicants who are not current Federal government employees will be covered by Non-Federal Law Enforcement retirement.

Current Federal Government employees covered under Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) retirement and have not completed three years of primary LEO coverage, will not be covered by Law Enforcement Retirement while in this position. Applicants must return to a position with primary LEO position to
regain coverage.

A prerequisite of the secondary law enforcement position is the completion of the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II". If you have not completed the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II", you are ineligible for a secondary law enforcement position and coverage. This is not applicable to non-law enforcement positions.

Qualifications:
Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least four (4) years of post - J.D. experience, and some experience related to the death penalty.

Preferred qualifications: Prior and extensive experience in correctional law and/or federal civil litigation is preferred, but not required.

Salary:
Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-15 ($151,699 to $197,200).

Number of Positions
One

Travel:

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