ATTORNEY VACANCY
ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES SECTION
GS-14/15
OPEN: FEBRUARY 12, 2013
CLOSE: MARCH 5, 2013
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: ENRD-13-009-EXC
About the Office: The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department
of Justice is seeking an experienced litigator for its Environmental Crimes
Section (“ECS” or “Section”) in Washington, DC.
The Environmental Crimes Section is responsible for
prosecuting individuals and corporations that have violated laws designed to protect
the environment and/or unlawfully covered up those violations. It is at the
forefront in changing industry and public awareness to recognize that
environmental violations are serious infractions that transgress basic
interests and values. The Section works closely with criminal investigators for
the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and
other law enforcement agencies in prosecuting criminal violations of the Clean
Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, and the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as well as other federal statutes. In
addition, the Section prosecutes criminal cases under a number of federal
wildlife laws, including the Lacey Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the
Endangered Species Act. These cases, handled in conjunction with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries Enforcement (National Marine Fisheries
Service), involve smuggling and illegal trafficking in protected wildlife,
illegal take of protected species, and hunting offenses.
For more information about the Environment &
Natural Resources Division, visit the Justice Department’s web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The individual selected will be responsible for
handling a range of matters, including some of the most complex cases assigned
to the Section. This position will allow the individual to utilize his or her
superior legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills in all aspects of
investigation, negotiation, motions practice and trial.
We place a high value on diversity of background,
experience and cultural perspective and encourage applications from all
qualified individuals, including those from all racial and ethnic groups,
women, LGBT individuals, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar
(any jurisdiction), have at least five years of post-J.D. litigation
experience, and be a U.S. citizen or National. A solid litigation record is
required. The ideal candidate will possess a strong criminal/enforcement
background and have knowledge of the various environmental laws described
above.
How You Will Be Evaluated: You will be evaluated based on your qualifications
for this position as evidenced by the experience you report relative to this
position. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.
Travel:
The individual hired should expect substantial travel.
Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience will
determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is GS-14
($105,211 – $136,771) and GS-15 ($123,758 – $155,500) per annum.
Location:
Washington, DC
Terms of Appointment: Permanent – Selected attorneys are eligible for
employment benefits such as health and life insurance, the FERS retirement
program, paid vacation and sick leave, and a public transportation subsidy.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: Applications must be received by Tuesday, March 5,
2013.
Applicants must submit a current resume, cover letter
highlighting relevant experience and salary history, and writing sample to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Environment and Natural Resources Division
Environmental Crimes Section
U.S. Mail Address:
P.O. Box 7611
Washington, DC 20044
FedEx Address:
601 D Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
Internet Address:
Attn: Deborah L. Harris
Assistant Chief
(ENRD-13-009-EXC)
No telephone calls, please.
What To Expect Next: Once your complete application is received we will
conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The most highly qualified
candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and
possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30-60 days of the
closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
Internet Sites: : For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources
Division, visit the Justice Department’s web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/.
This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet
at: http://www.justice.gov/careers/legal/attvacancies.html
Department Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal
Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided
by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion,
national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or
mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, status
as a parent, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, on the
basis of personal favoritism, or any non merit factor. The Department of
Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and
mental disabilities. The Department 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 of Justice. This agency provides
reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If
you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring
process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation
will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
There 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 are
encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and
attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating
documents) to their submissions.