Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) Supervisory Attorney

Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 2.5 to 4 years post-JD legal or other relevant experience. Preferred qualification: Prior experience in correctional law is preferred, but not required.

The Federal Correctional Complex Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) in Beaumont, Texas, is under the direction of the South Central Regional Office and provides litigation support to the United States Attorney's Offices for inmate litigation arising out of the Federal Correctional Complex Beaumont (three separate institutions) and the Federal Prison Camp, Bryan, Texas.

The legal practice of CLC Beaumont covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, 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 issues, such as medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene & sanitation, and inmate discipline.

CLC Beaumont also provides assistance to federal and state law enforcement agencies and federal and state courts regarding issues relating to the CLC and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The selected will be the direct supervisor of the attorneys and legal support staff within the Beaumont CLC. The selected will assign matters/cases and establish protocols and priorities for the CLC.

Supervision includes complying with BOP and Department of Justice protocols and procedures, to include timely periodic progress reviews and final evaluations. Supervision also requires providing/arranging appropriate training for subordinate staff and providing support and guidance as needed. As a member of the Beaumont CLC, the selected will be expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at the correctional facilities within the CLC, including members of the Executive Staff.

The selected will also be required to handle other legal matters which pertain to BOP institutions. The selected will be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials. The selected must 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 selected will be expected to provide litigation support to the United States Attorney's Office related to BOP litigation including, but not limited to, drafting litigation reports, responsive briefs, and discovery responses. The selected will be expected to perform extensive legal research and writing independently with minimal oversight and will be expected to learn BOP policies and procedures in order to be an effective and persuasive advocate. 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.

A prerequisite requirement of this position is the successful completion of "Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I" locally and the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in "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. The Practice areas related to this position are: Correctional Law, Constitutional Law, and Civil Litigation.