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The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking an attorney to defend the Food & Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and other federal agencies in civil litigation throughout the country. The attorney will defend against high-profile challenges to agency actions, policies, and programs related to food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco, and other consumer products. The attorney will also have the opportunity to participate in affirmative litigation cases.
12/16/2024 to 01/03/2025
$163,964 - $191,900 per year
GS 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
AT-12634953-25-TLM
824364600
The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking a Trial Attorney to specialize in representing the United States in a range of civil defensive litigation. Advancing the Branch's mission to safeguard Americans' health, safety, economic security, and identity integrity, the selected Trial Attorney will defend the Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and other consumer protection agencies in district courts throughout the country. This work includes cases challenging, under the Administrative Procedure Act and U.S. Constitution, agency actions related to food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco, and other consumer products, as well as significant agency policies and programs. These cases typically involve complex legal issues regarding the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, the Tobacco Control Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Act. The Trial Attorney will engage in all phases of litigation, preparing briefs and representing the United States in court, while working closely with agency partners.
In addition, the Trial Attorney hired under this announcement will have the opportunity to engage in the Branch's affirmative civil litigation. Working with U.S. Attorneys' Offices and federal law enforcement partners, the Trial Attorney will advance investigations using civil investigative tools, prepare pleadings, and litigate motions and trials. Areas of enforcement emphasis for the Branch include: the prescription opioid crisis, adulterated and misbranded food, drugs, and medical devices; fraud schemes affecting vulnerable individuals; deceptive trade practices and privacy violations; and hazardous consumer products.
The Trial Attorney also will be able to review and opine on policy matters and legislative proposals related to public health and safety; advise U.S. Attorneys' Offices on potential actions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other federal laws; engage with Department leadership; and participate in training offerings and events.
For more information visit: https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
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 above. 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 submit a cover letter, resume, and 2 writing samples (no more than 10 pages in length for each sample, and both written in the past 2 years). If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
The suggested submission format is to email a single .pdf file of the following required documents, in order:
Cover letter
Resume
2 writing samples (no more than 10 pages in length for each sample, and both written in the past 2 years)
(Optional) Veterans' preference DD-214 (Member 4 Copy)/other documentation
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: Consumer.Protection@usdoj.gov.
Emailed applications with multiple files attached will also be accepted. Applications submitted by email must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date listed in this announcement.
On the subject line, please put "CPB - Defensive Trial Attorney Application."
Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
Ms. Lory Alexander
U.S. Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Branch
450 5th St., NW, Ste. 6400
Washington, D.C. 20530
No telephone calls, please.
Salary Information: The salary for the position is at the GS-15 level ($163,964.00 to 191,900.00 per year)
Once your application is received you will be sent an acknowledgement email and subsequent emails throughout the process to notify you of your disposition and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interview are required you will be contacted.
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/824364600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.