Chief Environmental Defense Section

About the role

The Energy and Natural Resources Division is a core litigating component of the Department of Justice. We uphold the nation's laws governing natural resources, public lands, and Tribal rights. These laws are crucial to energy development, mining, timber production, fish and wildlife, and resource conservation.

We also defend and enforce federal environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and laws governing toxic substances and hazardous waste.

What you will do

• The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) handles a very diverse docket of cases arising in both federal district courts and the courts of appeals under the nation's major pollution-control statutes, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, as well as statutes governing pesticides, drinking water, toxic substances, and the management and cleanup of hazardous wastes.
• EDS cases are defensive in nature, which can range, for example, from challenges to EPA and other federal agency regulations, permit decisions and policies, to cases seeking to compel allegedly overdue agency actions, to cases brought against federal agencies seeking contribution to hazardous waste cleanups.
• EDS sometimes works with the enforcement section on matters involving both defensive and offensive claims.
• Recent noteworthy examples of EDS' work include defense of EPA regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and stationary sources, as well as regulations issued by EPA and the Corps of Engineers defining the scope of "waters of the United States" subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act.
• The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) plays a vital and unique role in defending the federal government's environmental regulatory agenda being implemented by EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, including rules and permits issued under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other pollution control statutes.
• With approximately 60 lawyers and 20 legal support staff; EDS is the third-largest litigating section in ENRD.
• Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Advises the Assistant Attorney General, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and the Deputy Assistant Attorney General on legal and policy questions relating to statutes under which the Section litigates.
• Advises and directs Assistant Section Chiefs and trial attorneys in the preparation of cases, frequently determining theories of defense and the preparation of memoranda of law on complex cases in which there is little to no prior precedents or guidelines to reference.
• Builds and leads integrated partnerships with federal prosecutors and state officials, ensuring the Energy and Natural Resources Division's mission is carried out effectively in every district and state.
• Oversees the most important and difficult cases and matters, which may establish precedent for related cases, involve substantial sums of money, or impact a major point of law which could affect important governmental interests that are highly visible in the media and public purview.
• Accountable for strategic direction, operational oversight, and national coordination of the Program, ensuring high-quality enforcement, litigation support, and cross district collaboration.
• Develops and directs the Section's training and policy issues in connection with all matters in the areas of environmental and energy litigation.
• Directs the Deputy Chief in broad general terms of guidance and process with managing the Section's fiscal resources and assuring the effectiveness of internal management controls.
• Assures that effective controls are developed and maintained to prevent fraud, waste, and mismanagement of Section resources.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959.
• Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
• You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed.
• You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
• You may be required to travel up to 25% of the time.
• You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible.
• Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing in at least one state, one U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes.

How you will be evaluated

Only experience obtained by the 11:59pm EST on the closing date (10/19/2026) of this announcement will be considered. Once this announcement closes the following will occur: A review of your resume, clear evidence of the 5 ECQs and MTQs, and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist.

Applicants deemed minimally qualified will be referred to an Executive Resources Board (ERB) to further evaluate applications. The ERB will further evaluate applications to determine the best qualified applicants for referral to the hiring official. Best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring official and may be invited to participate in a structured interview.

Interviews may be in a virtual setting or in person at DOJ offices.

The selectee will receive a tentative offer from the agency; however, before an agency can appoint a new Senior Executive Service member, the selected individual will be subject to further evaluation through a Structured Interview by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) as required by law.

OPM must review the executive qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) prior to appointment.

NOTE: You MUST address all MTQs as required above, but do not need to address the ECQs if you: Are currently serving under a career SES appointment; Are eligible for reinstatement into the SES; or Have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and been certified by Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Proof of Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification must be provided in your application.

Documents you must provide

• Complete resume that addresses the MTQs and ECQs.
• Your resume must not exceed (2) pages.
• Recent SF-50 that shows official title, salary, grade level, and status (for current or former federal employees) Recent performance appraisal (for current or former federal employees) Certification of OPM QRB approval (for graduates of SES Candidate Development Programs) Education transcripts Proof of active bar membership Other supporting documentation as required

What to expect next

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

Additional information

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

The complete DOJ EEO Statement/Policy is found at: *** Reasonable Accommodation 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 U.S. Department of Justice fosters an inclusive and diverse workforce, find our EEO statement online at: ***

Legal and Regulatory Guidance Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number may be requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name.

As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

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.