Trial Attorney (FOIA/PA)

⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌⁠The Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO) provides investigative and prosecutorial support, legal advice, and statutorily required review and approval in almost 40 distinct subject areas. The Office also processes all requests for Criminal Division records made pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and assist U.S. Attorneys' Offices in advocating the Division's position in civil litigation filed under these statutes. A J.D., or equivalent, degree.

Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than a J.D. may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management. As a Trial Attorney in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) / Privacy Act (PA) Act Unit, the incumbent will:

• Assist the Unit Chief, Deputy Chief, and other Unit supervisors in the processing of Division records requested pursuant to the FOIA or the PA, and ensure that the searches and processing are conducted in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in preparation of pleadings and in the defense of the Criminal Division in litigation brought under the FOIA/PA.
• Plan and assign work to subordinates, evaluate work performance, provide advice and instruction to staff, make recommendations to the Unit supervisors on training needs, and provide technical direction to staff when needed.
• Review Division records located as a result of FOIA or PA requests and have first-line responsibility for determining whether these records should be released in full, in part, or withheld. Recommend whether or not a document should be classified or declassified in whole or in part.
• Make recommendations to Unit supervisors in presenting the Division's views to the reviewing official where the Division's initial FOIA or PA determination is being challenged by way of an administrative appeal within the Department. Ensure that any subsequent release of Division information is properly coordinated within the Division.
• Assist in the establishment of Division policy. As appropriate, comment on, or review regulations, and prepare or supervise the preparation of Division directives relating to the application and implementation of the FOIA and/or PA. Assist in the preparation of new PA systems of records for Division components, and work with components to ensure their publication in the Federal Register.
• Assist in the preparation of statistical reports for both the Congress and internal use to reflect Division's activities under FOIA and PA during each fiscal year.

Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years 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: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications: Prior substantive legal experience relevant to the position, such as planning and organizing civil litigation, handling e-discovery, policy work, and/or conducting training. Direct experience related to FOIA, Privacy Act, or other federal information law matters is a strong plus.