Special Assistant US Attorney - Assistant/Associate General Counsel - 90393507 - Washington

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

This position is a tiered position. Incumbents will have a position level assigned based on their skills and experience, and in alignment with position development plans. Position placement is at Amtrak’s sole and absolute discretion.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position is primarily responsible for serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) on behalf of Amtrak who is detailed to the Misdemeanor Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (DCUSAO). The U.S. Attorney's Office serves as the local prosecutor for the District of Columbia. The successful candidate will be responsible for misdemeanor-level caseloads for crimes that occur in and around Washington Union Station (WUS). Such crimes include assaults, threats, trespassing, disorderly conduct, possession of prohibited weapons, drug possession, assaults on police officers, theft, destruction of property, hate/bias crimes, and credit card fraud. Prosecutorial duties include arguing bond and suppression motions, conducting numerous bench and jury trials, and advocating for the Government and Amtrak at sentencing.  

The successful candidate will serve at the pleasure of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the General Counsel of Amtrak.  The position will support the Amtrak Police Department (APD), which is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the District of Columbia and United States Criminal Codes in and around Washington Union Station. The position will also support the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) and other Washington D.C.-based law enforcement agencies. You may be assigned to an Executive Order-established law enforcement task force dedicated to reducing crime in the District of Columbia. 

The role of this SAUSA may be broadened to include felony prosecutions that include fraud against Amtrak. 

This position as a SAUSA is initially for term of one year, but the appointment is subject to earlier termination by the DCUSAO, or renewal or extension by mutual agreement of DCUSAO and Amtrak.

In addition to the duties of an SAUSA, you may be required to assist the Amtrak Law Department with a variety of litigation that includes employment & labor matters, commercial litigation, and tort litigation. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serves as the lead prosecutor for crimes committed in and around Washington Union Station that are prosecuted in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. 

2. Advises APD and Amtrak senior management on applicable criminal law, Federal Criminal Rules of Procedure. 

3. Champions Amtrak’s role in enforcing criminal and applicable civil laws that would enhance the security of Washington Union Station and its surrounding areas by representing the United States and Amtrak in criminal and civil proceedings, applicable administrative proceedings, and other adversary proceedings.  This includes participating as a member of the prosecution team, the development of legal strategies, leads in case development by identifying and preparing witnesses and evidence for trial, and the preparation, review, analysis, and editing of legal filings, including significant motions and briefs.

4. Consults with the Amtrak Police Department and other Washington DC based law enforcement agencies, in support of criminal investigations, provides guidance to clients, and identifies options for achieving client objectives within applicable legal restraints.

5. Represents the United States and Amtrak in matters that involve proceedings before the Superior Court and the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, as well as other federal and state courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration tribunals.  

6. Advises and prepares summaries, memoranda, reports, and other written materials for the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, other Amtrak professional staff and leadership in the Amtrak Law Department and other Amtrak departments, concerning legal considerations inherent in a criminal litigation, internal matters concerning regulatory compliance, safety, restitution, risk management, evidence preservation, and other legal issues. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate for this position must have:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school with a license to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state and the qualifications to waive into the D.C. Bar.
• Experience with a law firm or as a government or in-house counsel handling litigation.
• This appointment is subject to an adjudicated background investigation as described in 5 CFR §731.106(d) that meets the Department of Justice requirements for a “Secret” security clearance.

The successful candidate for this position must have:

• Ability quickly to learn the fundamentals of different areas of the law.
• Superior written and verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills to compose, edit and prepare correspondence, research, legal writing
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Must be a flexible and strategic thinker in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills and be able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize projects while managing competing priorities.
• Ability to present facts, issues, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations or solutions that demonstrate command of content.
• Demonstrated professional maturity, judgment and discretion to handle confidential and non-routine information.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver advice in the context of business objectives and with a commercial mindset, to identify and appreciate the significance of legal issues, to recognize legal and reputational risk, and to develop cost effective legal and business resolutions.
• Ability to conduct electronic legal research (LEXIS), and work with Windows platform, Windows Office tools and programs, and matter and document management programs.
• Familiar with canine detection protocols and interdiction strategies for narcotics and explosive materials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience as a prosecutor or public defender, with familiarity with the Federal Criminal Code and Rules. 
• Minimum 7 years experience with a law firm or as a government or in-house counsel handling litigation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Demands:
•    Extensive or frequent use of computer keyboard and monitor to perform a variety of tasks e.g., create and review documents, analyze information, e-mail, spreadsheets, etc.
•    Extensive or frequent use of computer keyboard and monitor to perform a variety of tasks e.g., create and review documents, analyze information, e-mail, spreadsheets, etc.
•    Frequently performs tasks that require sitting for extended periods of time.
•    Occasionally performs tasks that require standing and/or walking for extended periods of time.
Mental Demands:
•    Communicates, comprehends and responds to verbal statements and instructions, both orally and in writing.
•    Flexibility in developing strategies in meeting changing/developing scenarios.
•    Frequently learns new knowledge, skills and tasks, both complex and simple, in order to maintain effectiveness in position.

Working Conditions:
•    Works in a fast-paced environment involving interpersonal interactions with time-sensitive deadlines and frequently changing priorities.
•    In addition to complying with Amtrak’s standards, policies, and procedures, you will be required to comply with DOJ and DCUASO Standards of Ethical Conduct (5 CFR§ 3801) and federal conflict of interest laws under Title 189 U.S.C. §§ 207, 208, and 209 and laws restricting the disclosure of confidential information Title 18 U.S.C.§ 1905. 
•    This is a nonpartisan position that is subject to the Hatch Act, 5 U.S.C. 7323(a) and 7324(a), which generally prohibits Department of Justice employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty, in a federal facility, or using federal property.  You will be expected to set aside personal views on highly contentious political topics and be comfortable engaging in professional work with appointed officials, members of the public, and others who might hold contrary beliefs on political issues. This expectation of nonpartisanship also extends into your activities outside of the workplace.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is either $135,800 - $176,040 or $163,000-$211,140, depending on skills and/or years of experience. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:164569

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak. 
Relocation Offered:No 
Travel Requirements:0 - 5% 

You power our progress through your performance.
 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.  

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law..