Trial Attorney (Detail to Federal Programs Branch)
Trial attorneys in the Federal Programs Branch are generalists who participate in significant, often high-profile litigation across a broad range of practice areas. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials. As part of their work, Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies, Department of Justice leadership, opposing counsel, and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branch's and Department's mission of defending the interests of the United States.
FPB handles issues at the cutting edge of constitutional law, including the scope of the powers of Congress, the President, and the Federal Courts as well as the limitations imposed by the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth Amendments. Some examples of our cases involve the decennial census, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, classified information and the protection of national security interests, terrorism financing and designation, and large-scale housing, education, health care, and agricultural programs. The Branch also represents the federal government, as the nation's largest employer, in employment litigation, including cases alleging discrimination under the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Rehabilitation Act, and cases alleging a variety of claims under the Civil Service Act and a panoply of labor laws. Although the majority of Branch litigation is defensive, the Branch brings affirmative proceedings to enjoin actions of state and local governments that conflict with the Supremacy Clause and to enforce a variety of agency statutory and regulatory powers.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person at the agency location in Washington DC.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- You will be required to complete a suitability review.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
- Must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by closing date
- This position does not require or provide a clearance. The applicant should be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance, if needed.
- It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace
Qualifications
Under a detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee's base pay. The position will be filled at the employee's current grade level.
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 .
Additional information
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 Veterans' Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
DOJ EEO Statement/Policy:
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Schedule A: DOJ 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. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to [email protected], and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: .
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. Additional information is found at: .
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalffrom inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
- Benefits
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- You will be required to complete a suitability review.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
- Must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by closing date
- This position does not require or provide a clearance. The applicant should be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance, if needed.
- It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace
Qualifications
Under a detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee's base pay. The position will be filled at the employee's current grade level.
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 .
Additional information
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 Veterans' Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
DOJ EEO Statement/Policy:
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Schedule A: DOJ 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. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to [email protected], and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: .
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. Additional information is found at: .
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalffrom inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.