[blindlaw] DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Department posting#2

[Ross Doerr]

  ATTORNEY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 
  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
  ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
  NATURAL RESOURCES SECTION
  GS-13/15
  OPEN: September 17, 2012
  CLOSE: October 5, 2012
  VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: ENRD-12-056-EXC


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  About the Office: The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking an experienced attorney to handle complex civil litigation, with a primary focus on Fifth Amendment takings litigation, in the Natural Resources Section in Washington, DC. 

  The Natural Resources Section litigates cases arising from more than 80 different natural and cultural resource statutes, environmental statutes, and numerous treaties, international agreements, interstate compacts and congressional referrals. The diverse and dynamic subject matter of the Section's docket includes cases involving the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act, the National Park Service Organic Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the National Trails System Act. The Section's cases, many of them of first impression and significant media interest, involve the stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources; the Nation's trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes; and vital federal programs ranging from nuclear materials management to military preparedness to energy policy and resource extraction. 

  Among the Section's varied responsibilities is the defense of real property claims brought in the United States Court of Federal Claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. These cases cover the full spectrum of governmental activity relating to land use and environmental regulation. "Physical takings" claims can result from wide-scale flooding and other natural disasters, such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, allegations by entire communities of noise disturbance caused by repeated military aircraft overflights, and the conversion of thousands of miles of railroad corridors into recreational trails. "Regulatory takings" claims frequently arise from restrictions on the filling of wetlands, denials of permits to conduct surface mining or oil and gas drilling, and the diversion of water to protect endangered fish species. 

  Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The attorney selected will be expected to represent the United States in the full range of the Section's docket, with a primary focus on defense of federal agencies and programs in Fifth Amendment takings litigation before the Court of Federal Claims and federal district courts throughout the nation. The attorney must be comfortable in a "first-chair" role in multiple complex cases, and have substantial experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including pre-trial discovery, presentation of oral argument, and examination of fact and expert witnesses.

  The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, often rapidly. Successful candidates will demonstrate an aptitude and desire for primary responsibilities in sophisticated litigation, proficiency in working with a wide range of experts, and the ability to harness leading edge technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and considerable talent in problem-solving -- whether in a litigation or settlement context -- are indispensable.

  Qualifications: The Section's docket is demanding and requires top caliber work products. Successful applicants will have a demonstrated record of complex case management, initiative and creativity, strong courtroom skills, outstanding legal writing, 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), have at least five years of post-J.D. experience, and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation and/or trial work and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable. Applicants must demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities. 

  Travel: Periodic travel is required. 

  Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is GS-13 ($89,033 - 115,742), GS-14 ($105,211 - 136,771) and GS-15 ($123,758 - 155,500) per annum.

  Location: Washington, DC

  Terms of Appointment: Initial appointment to this position is for a period not to exceed two years. Selected attorneys who perform successfully will be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment. Selected attorneys are eligible for employment benefits such as health and life insurance, the FERS retirement program, paid vacation and sick leave, and a public transportation subsidy.

  Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

  Submission Process and Deadline Date: Applications must be received by Friday, October 5, 2012. 

  Applicants must submit a current resume or OF612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) and a writing sample to: 

    U.S. Department of Justice
    Environment and Natural Resources Division
    Natural Resources Section
    P.O. Box 7611
    Washington, DC 20044-7611
    Attn: Lisa L. Russell, Section Chief

  Complete applications may also be submitted by electronic mail to HR.ENRD at USDOJ.GOV. Please reference "Natural Resources Section" and the Vacancy Announcement Number in the subject line. 

  No telephone calls, please. 

  Internet Sites: For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources Division, visit the Justice Department's web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd. 

  This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet at: http://www.justice.gov/careers/legal/attvacancies.html.

  Department Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department 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 of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

  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. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys' Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

  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 are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions. 
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