Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) Attorney

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System • Fort Devens, MA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) Attorney at Devens handles a broad range of legal matters, primarily involving correctional law, constitutional law, and civil litigation. The practice includes administrative and litigation issues concerning incarcerated individuals’ access to courts, conditions of confinement, sentence computation and discipline, claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act and Freedom of Information Act, and assistance to courts and law enforcement agencies on matters involving the CLC and Bureau of Prisons (BOP). It also involves hearings and motions related to hospitalization and court-ordered medication for incarcerated individuals with mental diseases or defects.

The attorney advises staff at all levels of FMC Devens, including executive staff, and may handle other BOP matters involving other facilities. The position requires communication with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials, along with independent legal research and writing with minimal oversight. The incumbent must learn BOP policies and protocols and may need to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency’s correctional management decisions.

This is a primary law enforcement position requiring direct contact with people in confinement and practical understanding of work in a detention facility. In training, emergencies, staffing shortages, or other correctional crises, the incumbent may perform correctional officer duties, including supervising inmates, responding to disturbances, conducting patrols, searching for contraband, and using physical control when necessary. Required training includes Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I, locally, and Phase II at the Staff Training Academy.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years, subject to stated exceptions.
• Must successfully complete local Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I, and mandatory Phase II training at the Staff Training Academy.
• Must satisfactorily complete pre-employment and panel interviews, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.
• Must pass applicable NCIC and credit checks and a review of income tax filing history.
• Must be able to perform the duties of a primary law enforcement officer in a detention facility, including possible correctional duties during training, emergencies, staff shortages, or operational crises.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in correctional law and/or federal or civil litigation is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance to staff at all levels of FMC Devens, including executive staff.
• Handle legal matters involving correctional law, constitutional law, civil litigation, and related BOP issues.
• Address matters concerning incarcerated individuals’ access to courts, conditions of confinement, sentence computation, and inmate discipline.
• Handle claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act and Freedom of Information Act.
• Assist federal and state courts and law enforcement agencies on matters involving the CLC and BOP.
• Conduct hearings and motions practice concerning hospitalization and court-ordered medication for incarcerated individuals with mental diseases or defects.
• Communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials.
• Perform legal research and writing independently with minimal oversight.
• Appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency’s correctional management decisions.
• Perform correctional duties as needed, including inmate custody and supervision, responding to emergencies and disturbances, participating in fog and escape patrols, and covering correctional officer posts.
• Conduct inmate shakedowns and visual searches of work or living areas for contraband when required.
• Use physical control when necessary in situations such as fights, assaults, riots, or escape attempts.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• A retention incentive of up to 5% may be offered to selectees who meet the criteria.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree