ATTORNEY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
NATURAL RESOURCES SECTION
GS-12/15
OPEN: SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
CLOSE: APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008. POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:
ENRD-08-078-EXC
About the Office: The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking experienced litigators for its Natural Resources Section ("NRS" or "Section") in Washington, DC.
The Natural Resources Section litigates cases arising from more than 80 different environmental and natural resource statutes, and numerous treaties, international agreements, interstate compacts and Congressional referrals. The diverse and dynamic subject matter of the Section's docket includes cases involving the National Forest Management Act, the National Park Service Organic Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the National Trails System Act. The Section's cases, many of them of first impression and significant media interest, involve the stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources; the Nation's trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes; and vital federal programs ranging from nuclear materials management to military preparedness to energy policy and resource extraction. The Section handles a wide variety of cutting-edge Fifth Amendment takings litigation involving real property, as well as original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes. The Section's cases are tried throughout the United States and its possessions and territories in both state and federal court. The Section represents virtually every major federal agency. For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources Division, visit the Justice Department's web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The attorney selected will handle cases involving novel and complex issues associated with the interpretation of statutes, treaties, regulations and Executive Orders relating to federal programs and the stewardship of the Nation’s natural resources as determined by the Section's needs. Included in the Section's natural resource litigation are cases involving the defense of the United States against claims that it has breached its trust responsibilities to Native American tribes with regard to trust funds and trust natural resources. The cases the Section litigates demand that attorneys achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, sometimes rapidly. Successful candidates should demonstrate an aptitude and desire for primary responsibilities in sophisticated litigation, proficiency in working with a wide range of experts, and the ability to harness leading edge technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and considerable talent in problem-solving -- whether in a litigation or settlement context -- are indispensable.
Qualifications: The Section’s docket is demanding and requires top caliber work products. Successful applicants will have a demonstrated record of complex case management, initiative and creativity, superb courtroom skills, outstanding legal writing, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least three years of post-J.D. experience, and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation and/or trial work and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable and knowledge of trusts, Indian law or natural resource management is a plus. Applicants must demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.
Travel: Periodic travel is required.
Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is GS-12 ($69,764 – 90,698), GS-13 ($82,961-$107,854), GS-14 ($98,033-$127,442) and GS-15($115,317 - $149,000) per annum.
Location: Washington, DC
Terms of Appointment: Initial appointment to this position is for a period not to exceed two years. Selected attorneys who perform successfully will be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment. Selected attorneys are eligible for employment benefits such as health and life insurance, the FERS retirement program, paid vacation and sick leave, and a public transportation subsidy.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: The position is open until filled; however, applicants are encouraged to apply by Friday, October 31, 2008.
Applicants must submit a current resume or OF612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) and a writing sample to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Environment and Natural Resources Division
Natural Resources Section
P.O. Box 663
Washington, DC 20044-0663
Attn: K. Jack Haugrud
Chief
(ENRD-08-078-EXC)
Applications sent via overnight express delivery should be addressed to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Environment and Natural Resources Division
Natural Resources Section
601 D Street, NW
3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20004
No telephone calls, please.
Internet Sites: For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources Division, visit the Justice Department's web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd.
This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet 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 color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, 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.