Trial Attorney for Appellate Matters - Environmental Defense Section (Open Continuous)

Summary

The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) is seeking attorneys to specialize in defending against challenges to rules and other final EPA actions under the major pollution control statutes (e.g., the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Toxic Substance Control Act) that are filed as petitions for review in the courts of appeals under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 15. These positions will also provide the opportunity, if desired, to work on select district court matters from the Section's docket.

Duties

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT that will remain open until April 5, 2027. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, and positions will be filled when the need arises or as vacancies occur to meet immediate and future hiring needs.

This announcement may be amended to extend the deadline or close early without prior notice at the discretion of the organization, based on administrative or operational needs. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials promptly.

The duty location is Washington, DC, or Denver, CO. This is not a remote position.

EDS is soliciting applications for trial attorney positions specializing in our petition for review appellate practice. Selected applicants will handle all stages of petition for review litigation in the courts of appeals, from preliminary motions practice through merits briefing and oral argument. While larger cases often are staffed with a small team of attorneys, most matters are handled by a single attorney. A significant portion of EDS petitions for review are filed in the D.C. Circuit, but the Section typically handles petitions for review in all the federal judicial circuits nationwide. The Section's petition for review appellate litigation will be the priority and focus of the selected applicants' assignments, but as workflow and other demands allow, there will also be opportunities, if desired, to handle select matters arising in the Section's district court docket as well.

Requirements

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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.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may 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), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience and a demonstrated interest in court of appeals litigation for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 1 year of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
• At least 1.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.

Ideal candidates will have federal appellate litigation experience including the defense of agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act; experience managing complex litigation; superior writing and editing skills; familiarity with federal pollution-control statutes and administrative law issues; and familiarity with the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Judicial clerkship and law review experience is highly desirable.

Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level.

The possible salary range for Denver, CO.:

• GS-12 ($ 99,800 - $129,742)
• GS-13 ($118,675 - $154,280)
• GS-14 ($140,239 - $182,316)
• GS-15 ($164,956 - $197,200)

The possible salary range for Washington D.C.:

• GS-12 ($102,415 - $133,142)
• GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322)
• GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093)
• GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200)

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

Additional information

Attorney positions within the U.S. Department of Justice are in the Excepted Service. Vacancies are filled using an alternative hiring process through an open continuous announcement. Appointments under this authority do not confer competitive status for transfer to the competitive service.

Veterans Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however the Energy and Natural Resources Division considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor in the hiring process.

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. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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.

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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.

Benefits

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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.