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.
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Summary
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.
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Overview
- Accepting applications
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Open & closing dates
11/08/2024 to 11/29/2024
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Salary
$117,962 - $191,900 per year
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Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 15
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
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Remote job
No
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent
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Work schedule
Full-time
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Service
Excepted
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Promotion potential
15
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
Yes
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Position sensitivity and risk
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Trust determination process
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Financial disclosure
Yes
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Bargaining unit status
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Announcement number
AT-12601184-25-TLM
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Control number
818306500
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Duties
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.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
- May require completion of a fourteen month trial period
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
- Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two year trial period.
- 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.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
Qualifications
Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least 1.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level, have at least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level, and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level.
You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Applicants should also have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience arguing motions, handling discovery, developing expert witness testimony, trying cases, and a federal judicial clerkship are highly desirable.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least 1.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level, have at least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level, and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level.
You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Applicants should also have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience arguing motions, handling discovery, developing expert witness testimony, trying cases, and a federal judicial clerkship are highly desirable.
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 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.
Additional information
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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
- Cover Letter
- Resume showing month and year of relevant experience.
- Writing Sample (not more than 12 pages in length).
- DD-214 (Member-4 Copy) and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
How to Apply
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.
Agency contact information
Tracey Moore
- Address
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Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
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.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume showing month and year of relevant experience.
- Writing Sample (not more than 12 pages in length).
- DD-214 (Member-4 Copy) and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Help
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
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.
Agency contact information
Tracey Moore
- Address
-
Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
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.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
Offices, Boards and Divisions
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.
Agency contact information
Tracey Moore
- Address
-
Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US