CLC Attorney Advisor

The legal practice at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), Chicago, Illinois, 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, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, discipline, and prosecution assistance regarding crimes involving correctional operations.

The position at MCC Chicago is part of the Consolidated Legal Center (CLC), St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis CLC involves the management of a legal office that oversees the legal operations associated with several correctional institutions: MCC Chicago, Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Oxford, Wisconsin, FCI Pekin, Illinois, United States Penitentiary (USP) Marion, Illinois, and FCI Greenville, Illinois. The incumbent will be expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at their assigned correctional facilities, including members of the Executive staff. 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.

This position is part of the St. Louis CLC, a legal team that oversees legal matters at the above mentioned institutions associated with Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operations. As a member of the St. Louis 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.

This is a primary law enforcement position. Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age of 36 for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution, applicants for this announcement can be considered up to age 39. If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you must submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. 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.

Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one (1) year post-JD legal or other relevant experience.

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

Applicants must submit a resume (not to exceed two pages), list of references, a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a writing sample by February 27, 2026, to Christina Scofield, Regional Counsel at cscofield@bop.gov.

Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible
salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-12, GS-13 or GS-14.