TRIAL ATTORNEYS, GS-12 THROUGH GS-15
CIVIL DIVISION, FEDERAL PROGRAMS BRANCH
WASHINGTON, DC
About the Office: The Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division litigates on behalf of approximately 100 Federal agencies, the President and Cabinet officers, and other Government officials. The activities of this Branch include defending against constitutional challenges to Federal statutes; suits to overturn Government policies and programs; and attacks on the legality of Government decisions. These cases typically seek injunctive and declaratory relief, and vary from suits involving the personnel practices and policies of the Government to matters involving the national security. The Branch also initiates litigation to enforce regulatory statutes and to remedy statutory and regulatory violations.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The Federal Programs Branch is seeking experienced attorneys for both permanent and temporary positions. Individuals hired under this announcement should anticipate that their responsibilities may include, on a temporary basis, representing the Government in challenges brought by or on behalf of detainees at Guantanamo Bay in district court or, by detail to the Division’s Appellate Staff, in the court of appeals.
Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state, territory or the District of Columbia, and have at least one year post-J.D. legal experience. Applicants should have a strong interest in trial and appellate work and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable.
Travel: These positions may require some travel.
Salary Information: The salary for these positions is at the GS-12 through the GS-15 level ($69,764.00 to $149,000.00 per year), depending upon experience.
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 (no more than 12 pages) to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch
P. O. Box 883
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-4660
Attn: Arthur R. Goldberg
or e-mail application materials to FederalPrograms.Vacancies@usdoj.gov
Please specify that the application is for the “National Security Litigation” position in the subject line.
No telephone calls, please. These positions are open until filled.
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/index.html.
Other attorney vacancy announcements can be found at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/attvacancies.html
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.