ASSISTANT BRANCH DIRECTOR/GS-15
CIVIL DIVISION, FEDERAL PROGRAMS BRANCH
WASHINGTON, DC
Whom May Apply: Open to all applicants
About the Office: The Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division represents virtually the entire Executive Branch in civil litigation. The Branch defends civil actions against the Executive Office of the President, Cabinet officers, government officials and approximately 100 federal agencies and departments, principally in cases brought in United States District Courts to challenge government action.
Opportunity Offered: The Federal Programs Branch will be filling one supervisory Assistant Branch Director position. The position to be filled involves supervision of litigation, including representation of the Executive Branch in matters involving Government Information. Many such matters arise out of requests from public interest groups and others for information concerning national security, or for information that is sensitive and may be exempt or protected from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act or otherwise. Litigation may also involve defending Executive Branch agencies against claims brought under the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, or other statutory provisions. The incumbent will ensure compliance with Departmental policies, regulations, and applicable laws, and will participate with the Branch Director and others in the establishment of policy in the conduct of the Branch’s responsibilities.
Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. Applicants must have at least four years of post-J.D. experience, including experience with respect to litigation concerning federal statutes, regulations, Executive Branch policies, or other actions. Applicants should have trial experience, exhibit good judgment, and have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Travel: This position will require travel.
Salary Information: The salary for this position is at the GS-15 level ($115,317 to $149,000 per year).
Location: Washington, DC
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: Applicants must submit a resume or current OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), a cover letter (highlighting relevant background) and a writing sample (not to exceed 20 pages) to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch
PO Box 883
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-4660
Attn: Cathy Cole Cathy.Cole@usdoj.gov
No telephone calls, please. Application materials should be submitted no later than September 19, 2008. Application materials submitted via e-mail must be received by the deadline.
Internet Sites: For more information about the Civil Division and the Federal Programs Branch, visit the Justice Department web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/brochure/brochure.htm
Department Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys’ Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.