SummaryThe Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Environment and Natural Resources Division, 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 is seeking an Assistant Section Chief in Washington, DC or Denver, for one of its six litigating teams.
DutiesHelp
Much of our work involves challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Natural Resources Section has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing, trial practice, or both. On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving:
- Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness;
- The balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses;
- The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources;
- 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.
The Section is soliciting applications from experienced attorneys for the position of Assistant Section Chief for one of its six litigating teams. The Assistant Section Chief will supervise seven to twelve trial attorneys and will manage a team with primary responsibility for National Environmental Policy Act and other natural resource litigation involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Postal Service. The team also litigates Quiet Title Act cases and affirmative trespass matters. The subject areas and matters that the Assistant Section Chief will supervise are subject to change, according to the needs of the Section.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
- You must complete a background investigation to include pre-employment drug testing.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
- You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit of salary.
- J.D. degree required, must be an active member of the bar, any jurisdiction.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
QualificationsApplicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 7 years post-J.D. experience or post clerkship litigation including significant litigation experience or substantive familiarity with the Administrative Procedure Act or other statutes within the Section's jurisdiction.
The ideal candidate will have significant federal litigation experience; the ability to mentor and manage attorneys and administrative staff to produce high quality work under tight time frames, including the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and to adjust to meet new priorities; exceptional legal writing and editing skills and a strong commitment to developing the writing skills of supervisees; the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with client agencies, court personnel, and opposing counsel, as well as the ability to build productive relationships with managers and attorneys in the Natural Resources Section, other ENRD Sections, and other Department of Justice components; and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Experience defending complex federal agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act is desired but not required.
The possible salary range for Denver is:
- GS-15 ($164,956 -$197,200)
The possible salary range for Washington D.C. is:
- GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200)
YOUR RESUME MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement if you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.EducationAll 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.
Additional informationVeterans 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 that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
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.
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.
BenefitsHelp
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.
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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.
