Director

(a) Requirements The Director of the Office— (1) shall be a licensed attorney in good standing in any United States jurisdiction at the time of his or her appointment and at all times during his or her service as the Director; (2) shall be experienced in representing people in proceedings described in section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by section 101 of this Act; and (3) may not be a member of the Board. (b) Duties The Director shall— (1) appoint and fix the compensation of employees of the Office; (2) establish a personnel management system for the Office that provides for the appointment, pay, promotion, and assignment of all employees on the basis of merit, but without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States, Code (relating to appointments in the competitive service) or the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title (relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates); (3) employ such personnel as may be necessary to advance the purposes of the Office, subject to staffing and budget approval of the Board; (4) provide an annual report to the Board regarding the activities of the Office; (5) provide such periodic reports and work product to the Board sufficient for the Board to fulfill its duties under section 203(k); (6) allocate and disburse funds appropriated for legal representation and related services in cases subject to this Act pursuant to rules and procedures established by the Board; (7) enter into contracts to provide or receive services with any public or private agency, group, or individual; (8) appoint a Local Administrator for each region to administer and approve, subject to the policies established by the Board, the payment of funds necessary for Panel Attorney representation, including Panel Attorney compensation, investigators, experts, and other providers of representation services, and any other necessary expenses for effective representation; (9) assist the Board in developing rules and standards for the delivery of services under this Act; (10) coordinate the services funded by the Office with any Federal, state, county, local, or private programs established to provide legal assistance to persons in cases subject to this Act who are unable to afford representation; (11) consult with professional bodies concerning improving the administration of legal representation for persons in proceedings described in section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by section 101 of this Act; and (12) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board.