Trial Attorney - Natural Resources Section

JobSummary

The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes. The Natural Resources Section seeks experienced litigators in Washington, DC and Denver, Colorado.

LowGrade

12

HighGrade

15

PromotionPotential

15

SubAgencyName

Environment and Natural Resources Division - Natural Resources Section

OrganizationCodes

DJ/DJ01

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

Few

AgencyMarketingStatement

The Environment and Natural Resources Division seeks to attract, retain, and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent from all walks of life to reflect the people it serves by drawing its workforce from all segments of society and from across the United States. We offer varied, challenging, and important work. Our D.C. office is conveniently located adjacent to the NoMA-Gallaudet University (Red Line) Metro Station, a short walk from Union Station. ENRD's building was constructed in 2019; offices and shared spaces in the building are clean, well-equipped, and packed with amenities. A wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, stores, entertainment venues, and other attractions are easily accessible to employees in the neighborhood. The NoMA neighborhood is one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in DC! Our Denver office is located in Downtown Denver. For your convenience, public transportation is located right outside the door, and it is a short walk to Union Station.

TravelCode

2

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

• Much of our work involve challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. NRS has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing or trial practice or both. On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving: The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources; The balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses; Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness; Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country; Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control; and The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes. Because of the diverse nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable having primary or sole responsibility in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including some combination of discovery, working with experts, drafting substantive briefs, engaging in negotiations and mediations, appearing in court to argue motions, and going to trial. The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, often rapidly. Successful candidates will be intellectually curious, driven, and possess the ability to harness technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and talent in problem-solving -- whether in a litigation or settlement context -- are critical. Collegiality is fundamental to our Section. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working collaboratively with other attorneys, learning from Section veterans, and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys. On a day-to-day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, negotiate with opposing counsel, write motions and briefs, handle discovery, take and defend depositions, present oral arguments, and conduct trials. Our attorneys work closely with both attorneys and program staff at our client agencies, as well as with expert witnesses retained to offer opinions in our litigation. In staffing our cases, we strive to create work opportunities for our attorneys that allow them to constantly learn and grow by providing new challenges. We provide new attorneys with robust skills-based and substantive training. We also have exceptionally talented attorneys who are generous with their time to mentor. The group of paralegals and legal assistants we have are valuable resources, offering expert help. Overall, the Section cultivates an atmosphere of respect among colleagues who work together to advocate on behalf of the United States.

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 www.ed.gov. 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 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Requirements

Evaluations

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veteran preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran preference must include that information in their 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 Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

HowToApply

You must apply online through USAJOBS. Click on the APPLY Online button. Follow the prompts to answer a few questions and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. Applicants must submit a current resume (no more than 2 pages), cover letter, writing sample, law school transcript, and DD-214 (if applicable). To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Office of Human Resources using the contact information listed below. Internet Sites: For more information about the Environment and Natural Resources Division, visit the web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd . This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet at: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers

WhatToExpectNext

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.

RequiredDocuments

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes the following: Resumé (not to exceed two pages) demonstrating relevant experience and month/year the experience was obtained Cover letter with brief statement of interest. Writing sample Copy of J.D. degree transcripts DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation, if applicable Your resumé MUST include full employment information such as periods of employment with month/year started and ended, title of position(s), part time hours worked, and description of duties. If you have Federal employment, you must include the grade of the position(s).

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/New-Prospective-Employees/

OtherInformation

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/. To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214; official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. 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 resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at:http://www.benderconsult.com 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: www.sss.gov Suitability and Citizenship: 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. 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 behalf from inquiring about an applicant's 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. Please Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available in the Division within 90 days after HR office issues the certificate of eligibles.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

02

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

carmen.browne@usdoj.gov

AgencyContactPhone

(202) 616-3127

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

True

PositionSensitivitiy

High Risk (HR)

AdjudicationType

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness