A component of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, the Environmental Defense Section (EDS) represents the United States in complex and diverse civil litigation arising under a broad range of environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
The Section's docket is demanding and requires top caliber work product. Successful applicants will have a demonstrated record of outstanding legal writing, complex case management, initiative and creativity, strong courtroom skills, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. The ideal candidate should possess an excellent academic record and strong analytical, writing, and advocacy skills. The ideal candidate should also have a comprehensive understanding of federal civil procedure, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment. Prior environmental law experience is helpful but not required. Specific grade level requirements: At least 3 years of post J.D. civil or environmental litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level. At least 4 years of post J.D. civil or environmental litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level. At least 5 years of post J.D. civil or environmental litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level. Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is: GS-13 ($120,579 - $156,755) GS-14 ($142,488 - $185,234) GS-15 ($167,603 - $195,200) YOUR RESUMÉ MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement if you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
This vacancy is for 1 or more positions. The duty location is Washington, DC. This is not a remote position. ENRD is the nation's largest and most experienced environmental law firm and is often ranked among the federal government's best places to work. The Environmental Defense Section (EDS or Section) offers one of ENRD's and the Department's most varied dockets. It is one of the only DOJ components whose attorneys routinely handle cases in both the federal courts of appeals and in district courts. EDS defends petitions for review brought in the courts of appeals against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to special statutory judicial review provisions of the environmental statutes, as well as claims for judicial review brought in district courts pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The substance of these cases ranges, for example, from high-profile, multi-party challenges to national EPA rules (such as major Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act rules) to more targeted challenges to site-specific agency decisions. EDS also handles complex claims of liability against federal agencies under pollution control laws, such as for costs of response actions at Superfund sites, federally owned facilities, and private sites. The Section also brings affirmative civil enforcement actions in district courts for unpermitted discharges of dredged and fill material to waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. In addition to EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, EDS routinely represents the Department of Defense (and its component military branches) and the Department of Energy. Section attorneys are responsible for all aspects of complex litigation. This includes pre-trial tasks up to and through trial, such as preparation and filing of dispositive motions, drafting merits briefs, written and document discovery, selecting and working with experts, taking and defending expert and fact witness depositions, presenting oral argument in court, handling witnesses at trial and other evidentiary hearings, and negotiating settlements. Cases range from simpler matters handled by a single attorney to more complex matters typically handled by a small litigation team. EDS cases present attorneys with the opportunity to regularly appear and argue cases in federal district courts and the federal courts of appeals, and to periodically try cases or handle other evidentiary proceedings. EDS attorneys also frequently provide counsel to our client agencies and other DOJ components on litigation, draft regulations, and other environmental and administrative law issues related to our work. In addition, Section attorneys routinely coordinate with their colleagues in the offices of the United States Attorneys, Solicitor General, and State Attorneys General. For more information about the Environmental Defense Section, visit: http://www.justice.gov/enrd/environmental-defense-section.