Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) Attorney

Closing Date: 30th October, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
The selected will provide legal, technical, and advisory services to the Regional Counsel, Regional Director, and regional and institution staff, and serve as legal and technical advisor on questions of legal aspects of correctional administration. The selected will be a member of a legal office that provides legal services to several correctional institutions: the Federal Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas; the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, Texas; the Federal Correctional Institution, La Tuna, Texas; the Federal Correctional Institution, Big Spring, Texas; the Federal Correctional Institution Bastrop, Texas; and the Federal Correctional Institution, Seagoville, Texas.

The selected will handle a wide variety of legal issues focusing on correctional law, which is a practice that relies heavily on constitutional law, tort law, and other administrative law. This practice is primarily civil in nature and involves providing extensive litigation support to the U.S. Attorney's Offices. This practice involves providing advice and guidance to all levels of staff within the institutions covered by the CLC, including senior leaders. The practice also involves communication with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and other agency officials. The CLC Attorney will have thorough knowledge of all aspects of BOP policy and practice as he/she may be required to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency's rational for its correctional management decisions. The legal issues covered include, but are not limited to inmates' access to the courts (e.g., access to counsel and legal materials, etc.), conditions of confinement (e.g., medical care, religious accommodations, etc.), post-sentencing processes (e.g., sentence computations and inmate discipline), and post-sentence administration (e.g., First Step Act eligibility determinations).

This is a primary law enforcement position. Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age of 36 for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution, applicants for this announcement can be considered up to age 39. If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you must submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. The duties of this position may at times require frequent and direct contact with individuals in confinement who are suspected or convicted of serious criminal offenses. It has also been determined that the duties of this position require experience and knowledge of the on-the-job responsibilities of a primary law enforcement officer working in a detention facility. A prerequisite requirement of this position is the successful completion of "Introduction to Correctional Techniques-Phase I" locally and "Introduction to Correctional Techniques-Phase II" at the Staff Training Academy.

Because of the nature and mission of this position, it requires "hands-on" understanding of the issues encompassed in working within an institution. The incumbent may be called on to perform as a law enforcement officer in a correctional environment during training, emergency situations, times of staff shortages, and under any other type of correctional operating crisis. Specific correctional responsibilities may include custody and supervision of inmates, responding to emergencies and institution disturbances, participating in fog and escape patrols, and assuming correctional officer posts when necessary. The incumbent may be required to shakedown inmates and conduct visual searches in their work or living area for contraband. The incumbent must be prepared to use physical control in situations where necessary, such as in fights among inmates, assaults on staff, and riots or escape attempts.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Preferred qualification: Prior experience in correctional law is highly desired.

Salary:
Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is: GS 12 ($97,307 to $126,502) GS 13 ($115,711 to $150,426) GS 14 ($136,736 to $177,762).

Number of Positions
One

Travel:

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