Deputy Director

About the role

The Civil Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking individuals who wish to be considered for appointment to multiple Career Senior Executive Service Deputy Director vacancies within the Federal Programs Branch.

The Branch defends the Executive Office of the President, the Cabinet, other government officials, and virtually all federal agencies and departments of the Executive Branch in district court cases challenging the legality of government policies and decisions.

What you will do

• Consults with the Directors, the DAAG, and the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) on significant matters concerning the Branch.
• Participates in the formulation of and plan for implementation of new policies, legislation, or organizational changes having an impact on the Branch and the Division.
• Prepares analysis and policy papers, as needed, given the policy and program concerns of the Directors and the DAAG.
• Analyzes and reviews proposed and pending legislation that may affect the office's areas of expertise.
• Comments on and makes recommendations to revise, support, or oppose such legislation in formulating the Department's position.
• Either independently or as a team leader, reviews and analyzes the facts pertaining to the case and develops the necessary evidence to support the government's position.
• In carrying out these duties, the incumbent works closely with others in management and with officials at senior levels of the Department, in client agencies, and in the U.S. Attorneys' Offices.
• May be called upon to argue major cases of unusual complexity or conduct negotiations with opposing parties in sensitive situations.
• Serves as an expert in laws affecting all functions involving one of three broad litigation areas: (1) domestic policy; (2) personnel & miscellaneous litigation; or (3) security & foreign affairs.
• Serves as a resource to attorneys throughout the Division and the Department in the planning, briefing, and tactical approaches to the handling litigation within his or her purview.
• Provides advice and assistance to client agencies and U.S. Attorney's Offices, including through supporting formal and informal training.
• Represents the Branch, the Division, and Department, as applicable, formally or informally, in inter- or intra- agency meetings, task forces, working groups, or committees dealing with issues pertaining to the Branch's expertise and interests.

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 31st, 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 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 a state, 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 11:59 pm EST on the closing date (Insert Date) 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 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, Status Recent Performance Appraisal (for current or former federal employees) Proof of active bar membership Provide certification of OPM QRB approval (for graduates of SES Candidate Development Programs) 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. A candidate who is an expert in one area may also be considered for another, as the Branch is making selections across all subject-matter areas. 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.