PD_DOJ_Attorney-General

Position Description

ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Overview

Senate Committee

Judiciary

Agency Mission

To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law, ensure public safety against foreign and domestic threats, provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

Position Overview

The attorney general is the head of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. The attorney general represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the president and to the heads of the executive departments of the government when so requested. In matters of exceptional gravity or importance the attorney general appears in person before the Supreme Court. The attorney general guides the world’s largest law office and the central agency for enforcement of federal laws.

Compensation

Level I $199,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5312)¹ _{The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.}

Position Reports to

President of the United States

Responsibilities

Management Scope

In 2015, DOJ had 112,100 full-time equivalents and an annual budget of $33.136 billion.

Primary Responsibilities

® Supervising and directing the administration and operation of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice programs and the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals Service, which are all within the Department of Justice.
® Represent the United States in legal matters.
® Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions and bureaus that comprise the department.
® Furnish advice and opinions, formal and informal, on legal matters to the president, the cabinet and to the heads of the executive departments and agencies of the government, as provided by law.
® Make recommendations to the president concerning appointments to federal judicial positions and to positions within the department, including U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals.
® Represent or supervise the representation of the United States government in the Supreme Court of the United States and all other courts, foreign and domestic, in which the United States is a party or has an interest as may be deemed appropriate.
® Perform or supervise the performance of other duties required by statute or executive order.

Strategic Goals and Priorities

Depends on the policy priorities of the administration

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Broad understanding of all aspects of the department’s activities, including the enforcement of immigration laws, the prevention of terrorism, the combating of the illegal movement of people and goods to and within the United States and the safeguarding and securing of cyberspace.
® Leadership and management experience

Competencies

® Collaboration & Influencing: Works effectively with peers, partners and others who are not in the line of command.
® Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates complex thinking abilities, incorporating both analytical and conceptual abilities to manage and develop plans and strategies.
® Results Orientation: Drives for improvement of results, as demonstrated by a track record of substantially enhancing the performance of the organization under this individual’s leadership. Sets appropriate metrics and tracks progress and results in line with the administration’s policy objectives.
® Team Leadership: Inspires teams to achieve excellence by attracting and developing exceptional talent in the organization. Fosters an environment of openness, respect and desire for achievement.

Past Appointees

Loretta Lynch, 2015-2017: United States Attorney; Private practice; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Eric Holder, 2009-2015: Private practice; Deputy Attorney General.
Michael Mukasey, 2007-2009: Private practice; Federal District Judge, Southern District of New York.
Endnotes
This position description was created with the help of Egon Zehnder, a global executive search firm.
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The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition helps ensure the efficient transfer of power that our country deserves. The Center’s Ready to Govern· initiative assists candidates with the transition, works with Congress to reform the transition process, develops management recommendations to address our government’s operational challenges, and trains new political appointees.