Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD)

Attorney
Ben Franklin Station, P.O. Box 7611
Washington, DC 20044
United States
ENRD-15-013-EXC

About the Office: The Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking experienced litigators for its Natural Resources Section in Washington, DC. ENRD seeks to attract, retain, and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent from all walks of life. The work environment and atmosphere is open, diverse, collegial, and inclusive. There are active affinity groups for African-American; Asian-American; Hispanic; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT); and Native American employees, which are open to all DOJ employees regardless of background. ENRD fosters a work environment where people of all backgrounds and experiences may reach their full potential. We place a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspective and encourage applications from all ethnic groups, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

The Natural Resources Section litigates cases arising from more than 80 different natural and cultural resource statutes, environmental statutes, and numerous treaties, international agreements, interstate compacts and congressional referrals. The diverse and dynamic subject matter of the Section’s docket includes cases involving the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act, the National Park Service Organic Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the National Trails System Act. The Section’s cases, many of them of first impression and significant media interest, involve the stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources; the Nation’s trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes; and vital federal programs ranging from nuclear materials management to military preparedness to energy policy and resource extraction.

The Section handles a wide variety of cutting-edge Fifth Amendment takings litigation involving real property, as well as original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes. The Section’s cases are tried throughout the United States and its possessions and territories in both state and federal court. The Section represents virtually every major federal agency.

Job Description: The attorney selected will handle cases involving novel and complex issues associated with the interpretation of statutes, treaties, regulations and executive orders relating to federal programs and the stewardship of the Nation’s natural resource, as determined by the Section’s needs. 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 demonstrate an aptitude and desire for primary responsibilities in sophisticated litigation, proficiency in working with a wide range of experts, and the ability to harness leading edge technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and considerable talent in problem-solving — whether in a litigation or settlement context — are indispensable.

Qualifications: The Section’s docket is demanding and requires top caliber work products. Successful applicants will have a demonstrated record of complex case management, initiative and creativity, strong courtroom skills, outstanding legal writing, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree awarded no later than December 2009, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation and/or trial work and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable and knowledge of natural resource management, trusts, or Indian law is a plus. Applicants must demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.

Salary: Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is GS-13 ($90,823 – $118,069), GS-14 ($107,325 – $139,523) and GS-15 ($126,245 – $158,700) per annum.

Travel: Periodic travel is required.

Application Process: Applications must be received by January 23, 2015.

Applicants must email a current resume, cover letter, writing sample, and OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment (Click on the link below to obtain the OF-306) to:

Lisa Lynne Russell, Chief, Natural Resources Section, U.S. Department of Justice.

Please reference vacancy announcement number ENRD-15-013-EXC in the subject line.

Email applications only, please to attyapply-nrs.enrd@usdoj.gov  

Email links icon
OF-306-Declaration for Federal Employment

No telephone calls, please.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2015
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Number of Positions: Two or more positions may be filled from this vacancy

Updated January 9, 2015

*         *         *

Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  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 other 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.

Reasonable Accommodations:  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.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:   The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with targeted/severe disabilities are encouraged to register for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Shared List of People with Disabilities (the Bender Disability Employment Registry) by submitting their resume to resume@benderconsult.com

Email links icon and referencing “Federal Career Opportunities” in the subject line.  Additional information about the Bender Registry is available at www.benderconsult.com [external link]. Individuals with disabilities may also contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC).  See list of DPOCs.

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.

Veterans:  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 must include that information in their cover letter or 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).

 *         *         *

 This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.