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The Environmental Torts Litigation (ETL) is within the Torts Branch. The Branch is responsible for the defense of the United States and its employees in tort litigation seeking monetary judgments for damages from negligent or wrongful acts under Federal Tort Claims Act. ETL is responsible for defending toxic tort cases, including mass torts and also litigating cases under the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
Learn more about this agency11/08/2024 to 11/29/2024
$117,962 - $191,900 per year
GS 13 - 15
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
15
No
Yes
Yes
AT-12601184-25-TLM
818306500
The Environmental Torts Litigation Section, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice defends the United States in complex, high stakes civil
litigation in federal courts nationwide. Its attorneys directly handle all aspects of wrongful death, personal injury, and property damage cases
that often involve hundreds, even thousands, of plaintiffs. The cases typically stem from alleged exposure to environmental contaminants, such
as biological agents, chemicals, and other substances. They also involve complex issues of causation, novel issues of federal and state law, and
numerous expert witnesses. Given its unique expertise, the section has primary litigation responsibility for all suits brought against the United
States under the Federal Tort Claims Act where the alleged injuries/damages are attributed to some form of an environmental contaminant.
Many of the section's cases are litigated as mass torts or multidistrict litigation matters. Mass tort cases being litigated by the section relate to:
alleged damage to water systems and personal injury claims due to the military's use of per-fluorinated compounds in firefighting; personal
injury claims stemming from EPA's oversight of state and local entities involved in the Flint water crisis; personal injury claims related to a fuel
spill at a Navy refueling facility in Hawaii; personal injury claims related to alleged groundwater contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina;
and, damages from alleged contamination and remediation at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Handling complex jurisdictional questions,
devising creative case-management solutions, and analyzing overlapping issues of history, law, and science are often the norm. At capacity, the
section is comprised of approximately forty-five attorneys and ten members of support staff.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
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 www.ed.gov.
OR
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 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans' 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: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/.
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, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdffor a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdf
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 resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: www.benderconsult.com.
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: www.sss.gov.
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 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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications. Your application will be evaluated by a reviewing panel.
Please Note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates if more positions become available within 120 days after the closing date of the vacancy.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The
Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement. A complete
application package must include:
1. Cover Letter (highlighting month and year of relevant experience).
2. Résumé - Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to
the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
3. Writing Sample (12 pages or less).
4. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 Copy), and/or other documentation that you may
have.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: AttorneyHire.ETL@usdoj.gov or Patti.king@usdoj.gov or
Bridget.lipscomb@usdoj.gov
No telephone calls, please.
Once the application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. All qualified applications will be sent to the hiring official for review. You will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/818306500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career? Join the U.S. Department of Justice! Join us in serving the United States with honor and integrity!!
The Civil Division, with more than 1,000 Attorneys and 14 litigating components, represents the United States, its departments and agencies, Members of Congress, Cabinet and other Federal employees.
The Torts Branch represents the United States, including its officers and agents, in suits for monetary damages alleging negligent or wrongful
acts and under statutory compensation programs. In addition, Torts Branch attorneys handle claims related to injury and damage to
Government property. Four sections handle the Torts Branch's major practice areas: the Aviation, Space and Admiralty Section; the
Environmental Torts Litigation Section; the Federal Tort Claims Act Litigation Section; and the Constitutional and Specialized Torts Litigation
Section.
The Environmental Torts Litigation Section (ETL) defends the government in property damage, wrongful death, and personal injury cases,
involving toxic substances in the environment, the workplace, and government-owned housing. ETL's toxic tort matters are filed and litigated
under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and commonly involve complex scientific and medical issues requiring expert testimony. ETL operates
within a wide range of litigation, often defending the government in multiple-plaintiff lawsuits and in mass tort actions.
