Trial Attorney (Federal Tort Claims Act)

The Torts Branch is seeking a Trial Attorney for its Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Section. The FTCA Section handles a wide variety of complex, and often controversial, suits filed against the United States under the FTCA. These suits arise from, among other conduct, the provision of medical care at federal facilities or community health centers, federal regulatory activities, law enforcement and immigration enforcement, and management of federal lands.

Duties

This vacancy presents an opportunity for experienced trial attorneys who want to defend the United States in complex, often high dollar value cases. Trial attorneys in the FTCA Section handle personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage suits arising from activities of federal employees acting within the scope of their federal employment. FTCA Section attorneys frequently handle large or complex cases of national significance. They also provide guidance on complex legal issues in suits handled by USAOs and on administrative claims pending with federal agencies, make recommendations on whether settlements proposed by federal agencies and USAOs should be authorized, and prepare appeal recommendations on adverse judgments in FTCA cases.

Examples of law enforcement matters handled by the FTCA Section include cases arising from mass shootings, suits involving alleged FBI misconduct, suits brought by individuals detained in immigration custody, and responses to protests and riots. The Section also defends the United States in complex litigation stemming from catastrophic natural disasters. Further, the FTCA Section handles complex medical malpractice suits with medical causation issues in which high damages awards are sought. The Section provides guidance to U.S. Attorney's Offices (USAOs) and federal agencies on a variety of legal issues and advises in the development of strategy.

The FTCA Section provides appeal recommendations on adverse FTCA judgments, including for cases handled by USAOs. The Section also reviews draft legislation that may have an impact on the public fisc. It is responsible for the adjustment and settlement of administrative claims arising out of the conduct of employees of the Department of Justice (DOJ), and for approving administrative settlements of claims arising out of the activities of all other Federal agencies which are in excess of the settlement authority delegated to those agencies. Finally, the FTCA Section provides recommendations to the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division concerning requests for authority to consummate all settlements of tort claims that require the approval of the Assistant Attorney General or Associate General.

Salary

• $117,962 - $191,900/year

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
• May require completion of a fourteen month trial period, subject to extension, pending the completion and adjudication of your background check.
• 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.
• 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.
• Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two-year trial period.

Qualifications Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and be an active member of a bar in good standing.

Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and have a strong interest in litigation. You must also be a U.S. citizen.

Applicants must have at least:

1. one and a half years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level;
2. two and a half years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and
3. four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Post-JD litigation experience in federal courts.
• Excellent research and writing skills, as well as experience presenting oral arguments.
• Substantial firsthand experience handling complex litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to handle all phases of discovery, including working with expert witnesses.
• Excellent analytical ability and the capacity to articulate critical issues in a wide variety of cases.
• The ability to work well on individual projects and on team projects.
• A demonstrated record of being able to balance a diverse and constantly changing workload and the ability to set priorities appropriately.

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. Other 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.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience). Address the cover letter to James G. Touhey, Jr., Director
• Resume showing relevant experience. (You 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.)
• Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length)
• DD-214 and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (not more than 15 pages in length). If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214, and/or other documentation that you may have.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: FTCA.Section@usdoj.gov. On the subject line, please put "FTCA Section Trial Attorney Application."

Applications submitted by email must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight time on the closing date listed in this announcement. Applications submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than the closing date listed on this announcement.

While email is the preferred method of submission, applications may also be submitted via USPS to:
U.S. Department of Justice,
Civil Division, Torts Branch (FTCA Section)
P. O. Box 888 Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044
Attn: James G. Touhey, Jr., Director

No telephone calls, please.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

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