Assistant Section Chief - Natural Resources Section

About the role

The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Environment and Natural Resources Division, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.

The Natural Resources Section is seeking an Assistant Section Chief in Washington, DC or Denver, for one of its six litigating teams.

What you will do

• Much of our work involves challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
• The Natural Resources Section has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing, trial practice, or both.
• On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving: Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness; The balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses; The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources; Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country; Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control; and The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.
• The Section is soliciting applications from experienced attorneys for the position of Assistant Section Chief for one of its six litigating teams.
• The Assistant Section Chief will supervise seven to twelve trial attorneys and will manage a team with primary responsibility for National Environmental Policy Act and other natural resource litigation involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Postal Service.
• The team also litigates Quiet Title Act cases and affirmative trespass matters.
• The subject areas and matters that the Assistant Section Chief will supervise are subject to change, according to the needs of the Section.

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 ***

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at ***

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. ***

How you will be evaluated

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veteran preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.

Applicants eligible for veteran preference must include that information in their 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, *** 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).

Documents you must provide

• Resume (not to exceed two pages) demonstrating relevant experience and month/year the experience was obtained Cover letter with brief statement of interest Writing sample Copy of J.D. degree transcripts DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation, if applicable Your resume MUST include full employment information such as periods of employment with month/year started and ended, title of position(s), part time hours worked, and description of duties.
• If you have Federal employment, you must include the grade of the position(s).

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 80 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You will be notified of the outcome.

Additional information

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: ***

To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.

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.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

More information can be found here: *** DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: 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.

The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: *** Selective Service: If you were born male, on or 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 law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from 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.

Please Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available in the Division within 90 days after HR office issues the certificate of eligibles.