The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.
Duties The purpose of this position is to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney located in U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC. The position reports to the USCP Deputy and General Counsels; however, the position will work daily under the direct supervision and authority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia.
The purpose of this position is to represent the United States Government primarily prosecuting individuals and/or groups who have engaged in threats and/or acts of violence against Members of Congress, their staffs, United States Capitol Police employees, visitors to the Capitol complex, and facilities and properties within the Capitol Complex.
Other job duties include:
Prosecutes other federal crimes, as needed for training or other purposes, as directed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Develops and recommends strategies and coordinates the preparation of litigation for potentially complex federal cases.
Works closely with USCP, federal and local law enforcement agents, witnesses, and victims during criminal investigations, trial preparation, and all phases of litigation.
Conducts grand jury investigations and represents the United States in federal court in various hearings and trials, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, plea hearings, sentencing hearings, and other matters that require court appearances.
Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda and briefs on questions of law, persuasive pleadings, search warrants, complaints, and charging instruments.
Provides research, advice, and legal analysis on a variety of issues and, as directed by the USCP General and Deputy Counsels, responds to inquiries for legal research, analysis and advice.
Researches and drafts legal advisory memoranda regarding proposed USCP policies and procedures with regard to operational initiatives.
Assists in processing external legal inquiries including legal analysis, and preparation of document/discovery requests to and from outside counsel.
Provides legal advice regarding highly sensitive law enforcement and intelligence issues .These responsibilities may require review, handling, storage and utilization of classified materials.
Cases and problems are extremely complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues that are involved in the drafting, interpretation, or application of statutes, regulations, orders, decisions, opinions, or other legal instruments and require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavor. Cases require the need to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests or complex factual or policy issues and excellent judgment. Work involves extensive research and analysis. It has an important impact on major public interests relative to Federal law enforcement, citizen and visitor rights, and the United States Congress. Work may involve problems of unusual delicacy, such as allegations of wrongdoing against staff or members of Congress, criminal trespass, investigations of threats or crimes against Members of Congress and arresting or detaining high-profile individuals. People involved or impacted by legal actions/interpretations may or may not be United States citizens. Legal decisions affect essential USCP mission areas. Failure to achieve acceptable results could have significant negative impact on USCP’s ability to effectively protect the Congress, its members, employees, visitors, and facilities.
- $160,222 - $205,799/year
You must be a U.S. citizen. Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Must complete a one-year probationary period. Must have Direct Deposit. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
QualificationsIn order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.
Qualifying experience includes four (4) years of specialized experience following law school graduation relevant to the duties of this position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: (a) performing professional work as a licensed attorney in trial litigation; (b) representing clients as a licensed attorney before federal or state administrative agencies and/or before United States District Courts; (c) Conducts and assists with mediations, negotiation, and/or litigation; and (d) performs extensive independent legal research in order to provide written analysis of legal tasks.
*Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience*
All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
(Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/)
Education Applicants must possess a professional law degree (J.D., LL.B., or LL.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be an active Bar association member in good standing in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Other InformationAdditional Conditions of Employment with the USCP: As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and after a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP. Criminal History Check -- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment. Credit Check -- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification. Selective Service Registration -- Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/verify/ Fingerprint Check -- Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of their criminal history record. Background Investigation -- Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation. There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions, may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.
Required DocumentsThe following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement: 1. Your Resume: Resumes should include full description of job duties as well as dates (mm/yr.) of employment. 2. Other supporting documents: - Writing Sample and Proof of bar membership.
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.
Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account and select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received, and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 6:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.
BenefitsA 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. Learn more about federal 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.
