Trial Attorney (Federal Programs Branch)
Share
Job Location:
Washington, AR - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 121785 - 197200
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
Covering twelve diverse litigation areas the Federal Programs Branch defends the United States the Executive Office of the President and federal agencies in cases challenging the legality of government policies and actions brought in federal district courts. The Branchs work touches on almost all areas of the federal government including national security foreign affairs and high-profile domestic policy initiatives.
The Civil Division with more than 1000 Attorneys and 14 litigating components represents the United States its departments and agencies Members of Congress Cabinet and other Federal employees.
Trial attorneys in the Federal Programs Branch are generalists who participate in significant often high-profile litigation across a broad range of practice areas. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of district court litigation including taking and defending depositions managing written discovery conducting legal research and analysis writing briefs and other documents attending court conferences arguing motions and conducting trials. As part of their work Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies Department of Justice leadership opposing counsel and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branchs and Departments mission of defending the interests of the United States.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- Selective Service Registration is required as applicable
- May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
- 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.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent) be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) be a U.S. citizen and possess at least 1.5 years post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. The minimum years of post-law degree experience commensurate with the grade level of eligibility is shown below.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.
- GS-13 - minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience
- GS-14 - minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience
- GS-15 - minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Preferred qualifications: Applicants with proven advocacy and legal writing skills preferred. Experience drafting and arguing motions handling discovery taking and defending depositions developing expert witness testimony and trying cases are highly desirable. You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284 you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria see .
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans preference (VP) you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your order to determine your eligibility you can find additional information at: 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 must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g. the DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the point system is not used per se applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15 Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website a copy of SF 15 which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and 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. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to and reference Federal Career Opportunities in the subject line. Additional information is found at: .
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: .
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalffrom inquiring about an applicants criminal history record either in writing or orally before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Clerical
- Diploma
- Foreclosure Paralegal
- Flight Operations
- Construction Equipment
