Summary

The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Litigation is seeking candidates for Trial Attorney positions. The mission of The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Litigation is to manage, justify, and defend - in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice - all litigation in Federal courts involving challenges to DOE programs and actions, and concerning the civil enforcement of Federal and DOE statutes, regulations and orders.

Duties

Duties of a Trial Attorney position could include:

• Represents DOE's interests in all phases of complex Federal court and administrative litigation.
• Coordinates litigation and participates in formulating the strategy and developing the presentation of the Government's case.
• Coordinates and furthers litigation with DOJ by preparing litigation assessments and reports, drafting and editing litigation submissions, supplying necessary information and recommendations, resolving conflicts, and supporting the strategy used in guiding the position taken on legal and factual issues.
• Advises supervisor, program office legal staff and DOE officials concerning the pending or potential litigation, questions regarding the interpretation of statutes administered by or applicable to DOE and its activities, and DOE issues and actions.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• 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. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a two year trial period.
• GS-13 and above are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential
• If selected, you must self-identify if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee as OPM approval is required prior to finalizing your selection.
• Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State, District of Columbia, territory of the United States, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with DOE.
• This position is NOT included in a Bargaining Agreement.
• Relocation expenses are NOT authorized.
• Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

All applicants MUST:

1. Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree Juris Doctor (J.D); AND
2. Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

GS-15 Qualifications:

• Sound and sophisticated understanding of advanced legal concepts and significant legal policy/regulatory issues.
• Progressively responsible experience handling significant legal matters.
• Consistent ability to significantly advance Department interests in matters with exceedingly difficult/complex factual or legal questions.

GS-14 Qualifications:

• Sound legal training and experience in handling significant legal issues and matters.
• Sound and authoritative knowledge of legal principles, laws, administrative/judicial decisions, statutes, and regulations, and the ability to advance the Department's policies and programmatic interests.
• Ability to provide sound legal advice to DOE officials, handle broad and complex legal issues (including statutory interpretation), prepare litigation documents in complex matters, and review documents for legal sufficiency to minimize litigation risk.

GS-13 Qualifications:

• Legal training and increasingly responsible experience in effectively handling litigation cases and related issues.
• Highly knowledgeable in federal and DOE litigation cases/issues, with a thorough understanding of legal principles, laws, administrative/judicial decisions, statutes, and regulations impacting Departmental legal cases, and the ability to apply this to significant DOE matters.
• Increasingly responsible experience in litigation matters, and ability to prepare factually/legally sound litigation work products with minimal supervision.

GS-12 Qualifications:

• Legal training and experience in handling litigation cases and related issues.
• Knowledge of federal and Department of Energy litigation cases/issues (including decisions, statutes, regulations), and ability to apply this to significant DOE matters.
• Experience analyzing litigation, advising on legal matters, and producing litigation documents.

GS-11 Qualifications:

• Sound legal training from an accredited law school.
• Knowledge of legal cases, issues, principles, administrative/judicial decisions, statutes, and regulations affecting Department programs and litigation.
• Ability to analyze litigation, provide legal advice, and prepare legal briefs/documents.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Attorney positions do have an education requirement.

ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:

1. Professional Law Degree Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit:

1. A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

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

Help

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.

Review our 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.