Assistant General Counsel, Legislative & Correctional Issues Branch

The United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 144,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, seeks an Assistant General Counsel for the Legislative & Correctional Issues Branch in Washington, DC. This permanent attorney position provides legal counsel on confinement, policy interpretation, and inter-agency coordination.

The incumbent will advise senior leaders and work with other DOJ and BOP offices on statutory matters. Salary ranges reflect GS-14/GS-15 levels with locality pay; this is a full-time, on-site role.

Qualifications

• Required: J.D. degree and active bar in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• Preferred: prior experience in correctional law.
• Candidates should comply with conflicts-of-interest rules and disclose potential conflicts.

Responsibilities

• Advise senior leaders, supervisors, and staff on legal aspects related to inmate confinement and related statutes.
• Work closely with BOP divisions, DOJ officials, and other agencies on statutory matters affecting the Bureau.
• Identify and resolve correctional issues and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.

Education

J.D. degree and active bar (any U.S. jurisdiction)

Job description

Assistant General Counsel, Legislative & Correctional Issues Branch

Hiring Organization

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Hiring Office

Central Office, Office of General Counsel, Legislative and Correctional Issues Branch, Washington, DC

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Location: 320 First Street, NW

Location: 320 First Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534 - United States

Application Deadline:

Friday, October 2, 2026

About the Office

The mission of the Legislative and Correctional Issues Branch (LCI) is to provide legal advice to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff covering a broad range of subjects, including but not limited to: management of correctional facilities, First Step Act of 2018 implementation; civil commitment of sexually dangerous prisoners; Special Administrative Measures preventing threats from inmates associated with violence, national security, and terrorism; Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems to detect unauthorized drones; extradition of detainees from foreign courts; federal sentencing issues to include the BOP's calculation of inmate sentences; reviewing and processing compassionate release / Reduction in Sentence requests; reviewing and revising internal policies as well as proposed legislation consistent with administration priorities.

Job Description

The incumbent works with and advises senior leaders, supervisors, and staff concerning legal aspects of, and the interpretation, applicability, and compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations, and constitutional provisions relating to the confinement of inmates. The incumbent will work closely with other BOP divisions, Department of Justice officials, and officials in other Executive Branch agencies on statutory matters that affect the BOP and to resolve correctional issues.

Qualifications

Required qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree, and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Preferred qualifications: Prior experience in correctional law is preferred but not required.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093) or GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200).

Number of Positions

Two

Travel

25% or Less for Training

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships . The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.