Justice 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. Justice fosters a work environment where people of all backgrounds and experiences may reach their full potential.
This and other attorney vacancy announcements can be found at: http://www.justice.gov/careers/legal/attvacancies.html.
There was an error in the application information within the vacancy announcement sent to you yesterday with respect to the experienced attorney position in the Law and Policy Section of our Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The corrected announcement follows below. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you.
ATTORNEY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
LAW AND POLICY SECTION
TRIAL ATTORNEY
GS-14/15
OPEN: MARCH 24, 2014
CLOSE: APRIL 11, 2014
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: ENRD-14-023-EXC
About the Office: The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking an experienced attorney for its Law and Policy Section (“LPS” or “Section”) in Washington, DC.
The Law and Policy Section advises and assists the Assistant Attorney General on environmental legal and policy questions, particularly those that affect multiple sections in the Division. It handles the Division’s response to legislative proposals and Congressional requests, the Division’s comments on federal agency rulemakings, amicus participation in cases of importance to the United States, as well as other special projects on behalf of Division leadership. Attorneys in the Section also handle the Division’s involvement in international legal policy and trade matters, as well as the Division’s FOIA and Privacy Act work. Other LPS attorney duties include serving as the Division’s ethics officer and counselor, alternative dispute resolution counselor, and liaison with state and local governments.
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 Section’s work encompasses the full range of environmental, natural resources, public lands, and Indian-related laws handled by the Division, as well as issues of constitutional, administrative, and ethics law. The Section’s work often involves complex, novel, and cross-cutting issues which require close coordination with all of the Division’s other sections and interaction with other DOJ components. We expect that the attorney chosen for this position would maintain a portfolio that includes a broad mix of work in these areas, including legislative and proposed rulemaking analysis, litigation, and special projects that involve the analysis of cross-cutting legal and policy issues relating to litigation. We anticipate that an element of this position will involve work on issues of criminal law in a policy context (but not prosecution of criminal cases). Accordingly, experience with criminal law (especially but not necessarily environmental criminal matters) would be beneficial.
Qualifications: The Section’s docket is demanding and requires top caliber work products. Successful applicants will have a demonstrated record of analysis of complex legal problems, initiative and creativity, outstanding legal writing, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Applicants must also demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities, good judgment, and be able to balance a diverse and constantly evolving workload. Highly desirable are a background in environmental, natural resources, Indian, criminal, and/or administrative law. Also desirable are experience working with or for federal agencies.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree; be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia, have at least 5 years of post-J.D. legal experience, and be a U.S. citizen. Position is available immediately, subject to approvals and security checks.
Travel: Periodic travel is required.
Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is GS-14 ($106,263- $138,136) and GS-15 ($124,995- $157,100) per annum.
Location: Washington, DC
Terms of Appointment: Initial appointment to this position is for a period not to exceed two years. Selected attorneys who perform successfully will be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment. 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 Friday, April 11, 2014.
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:
Rhodora Woolner, Supervisory Administrative Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice
Please reference vacancy announcement number ENRD-14-023-EXC.
Email applications only, please to attyapply-lps.enrd@usdoj.gov.
OF-306-Declaration for Federal Employment
No telephone calls, please.
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 based on color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Selective Service: 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 http://www.sss.gov.
Schedule A: The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and 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.
NOTE: The Department of Justice also suggests eligible Schedule A applicants should submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com and reference “Federal Career Opportunities” in the subject line. For more information, visit the Bender Consulting Services website at http://www.benderconsult.com
Kevin Pooley is a second year JD candidate at the Sandra Day O’Connor College Of Law at Arizona State University. He graduated Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with degree in Philosophy. Kevin grew up in Arizona and has lived primarily in Flagstaff, Yuma, and Avondale. He is currently an intern for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Prosecutor’s Office. Kevin’s study interest include criminal law, evidence, and security transactions. In his spare spare time Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife and eight month old son. 
