Senior Trial Attorney (Criminal Enforcement Lead)

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Division's lead attorney for identifying potential criminal enforcement matters and has considerable expertise in identifying, investigating, and developing potential criminal violations of the statutes administered by CPSC; preparing and presenting criminal referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ); coordinating with federal law enforcement and investigative partners; and supporting the prosecution of criminal matters arising under CPSC's authorities.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the Division's lead for criminal enforcement and is responsible for establishing, developing, and sustaining a dedicated criminal enforcement function within the Office of Compliance and Field Operation. The incumbent works collaboratively with other attorneys, Compliance Officers, Field Investigators, the Office of Import Surveillance, technical experts, and other staff to identify matters with potential criminal implications, set criminal enforcement policies and procedures, and ensure that office operations in support of criminal matters are sound, consistent, and efficient. In this position, you will: Serve as the principal legal expert on criminal enforcement matters, providing authoritative legal advice and guidance to Commission leadership, attorneys, Compliance Officers, Field Investigators, and other agency personnel on complex criminal enforcement issues. Identify, evaluate, and investigate potential criminal violations arising from product recalls, civil penalty investigations, import surveillance activities, and other enforcement actions. Assess applicable criminal statutes, elements of offenses, evidentiary requirements, and potential corporate and individual liability. Develop and prepare criminal referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ), including referral memoranda, evidentiary summaries, witness and exhibit lists, and proposed charging theories. Evaluate legal and factual considerations, including jurisdiction, venue, statutes of limitations, standards of proof, and prosecutorial requirements. Serve as the Commission's principal attorney and liaison with DOJ and federal prosecutors throughout criminal investigations and proceedings, including prosecutorial review, grand jury proceedings, charging decisions, pretrial litigation, trial, sentencing, and appeals, in coordination with the Director of Enforcement and Litigation. Coordinate parallel civil and criminal enforcement proceedings, advising agency personnel on investigative procedures, evidence preservation, information-sharing restrictions, grand jury secrecy requirements, and compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including DOJ, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and other investigative and prosecutorial partners. Coordinate joint investigations, information-sharing arrangements, and interagency enforcement initiatives. Develop criminal enforcement policies, standard operating procedures, and training materials to strengthen investigative practices, ensure consistent enforcement operations, and maintain alignment with DOJ policies and applicable legal requirements. Advise Commission leadership and senior agency officials on criminal enforcement strategies, legal risks, investigative findings, and recommended enforcement actions. Prepare legal analyses, briefing materials, and recommendations concerning significant criminal enforcement matters. Review and provide legal guidance on proposed legislation, rules, regulations, and agency policies affecting criminal enforcement authorities, penalties, investigative procedures, and referral practices. Lead special projects and provide training and technical guidance to attorneys, Compliance Officers, Field Investigators, and other agency personnel on identifying and developing criminal enforcement matters, civil penalty cases, and corrective action matters. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

In addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: GS-15: 1) Independently handling highly complex criminal and civil enforcement matters; 2) analyzing potential criminal offenses and identifying the evidence necessary to establish their elements; 3) developing or evaluating matters for referral to prosecutorial authorities; 4) coordinating with prosecutors, investigators, and technical experts; 5) litigating or supporting significant judicial or administrative proceedings; 6) advising senior officials on sensitive legal matters; and 7) leading legal projects, case teams, or enforcement initiatives. Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Basic Requirement: All applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants are required to provide proof of current, active bar membership/good standing. GS-15: In addition to basic requirement and qualifying specialized experience, applicants must have five years of experience as a practicing attorney. ALL applicants must also submit proof of successful completion of education requirements. This proof may consist of a law school transcript or other documentation which provides clear and specific proof of education, such as a diploma. A copy of an SF-50 only is not adequate proof of meeting the education requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You MUST provide transcripts with your application to support your educational claims. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. All education claimed by applicants will be verified. There is no substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.