Attorney Advisor (CLC Attorney)

Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. Our highly-skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security. Through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors.

Duties

• The Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is under the direction of the Northeast Region, which provides litigation support to the United States Attorneys' Offices for inmate litigation arising out of FCI Lewisburg, Federal Correctional Complex Allenwood, United States Penitentiary Canaan, and FCI Schuylkill. The legal practice of CLC Lewisburg covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional and constitutional law, either through administrative or litigation channels and includes such matters as inmates' reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement (e.g., medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation) and post sentencing processes (e.g., sentence computation and inmate discipline). The practice also addresses claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act and the Freedom of Information Act, and provides assistance to federal and state courts and law enforcement agencies on issues concerning the CLC and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This position is part of the Lewisburg CLC, a legal team that oversees legal matters in the Middle District of Pennsylvania associated with Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operations, which includes the correctional institutions noted above. As a member of the Lewisburg CLC, the incumbent is expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at those correctional facilities, including members of their Executive Staff. The incumbent may also be required to handle other BOP legal matters as assigned, which pertain to other BOP facilities. The incumbent will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials. The incumbent will need to develop a 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 rationale for its correctional management decisions. The incumbent is expected to perform legal research and writing independently with minimal oversight. The incumbent is also expected to learn and adapt to BOP protocols in order to achieve optimal levels of advocacy and persuasion. 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. 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. The Practice areas related to this position are: Correctional Law, Constitutional Law, and Civil Litigation.

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 and/or federal or civil litigation is preferred, but not required.

Requirements

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more). Key Requirements: See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov U.S. Citizenship is Required.

Education

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable. ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here. Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

How to apply

Applicants must submit a resume (not to exceed two pages), list of references, a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a writing sample by September 11, 2026, to Adam Johnson, Regional Counsel at [email protected]. Applications must be received on or before the application deadline date below: September 11, 2026 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/ DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON-LINE. Submit a complete/detailed resume or curriculum vitae. Limit your resume to 2 pages. If the only resume(s) received is/are longer than two pages, your application is ineligible for further consideration. Resume or curriculum vitae must contain all information listed in the Qualifications Section. Submit supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, certification, registration, and/or license, if applicable). A complete application packet (including optional https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052179 responses) MUST be submitted directly to the following email address: [email protected].