Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) Attorney

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.

The legal practice at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, Fort Worth, Texas, covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, either through administrative or litigation channels and includes but is not limited to such matters as inmates' reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, discipline, and civil commitments.

Incumbent works closely with medical staff and the U.S. Attorney's Office in dealing with mental health issues under 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241 - 4247. 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.

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 Health/Medical.