Summary The Environment and Natural Resources Division is seeking experienced civil litigators for the Land Acquisition Section for (2) or more positions. This Section is responsible for acquiring land and other real property interests on behalf of the United States through condemnation proceedings for purposes ranging from establishing national parks, expanding military installation and training facilities, rebuilding energy and transportation systems, and facilitating border security infrastructure. Responsibilities The Land Acquisition Section (LAS) represents virtually every federal agency, in federal district court across the United States and its territories, tackling novel and complex civil litigation arising under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. LAS litigates condemnation cases to acquire real property for the United States for public uses including taking land into trust for tribes, expanding military installations, rebuilding federal courthouses, establishing national monuments, and constructing border and immigration security infrastructure and land ports of entry. The Section's work is designed to ensure the protection of the Fifth Amendment so that the amount of compensation for condemned property is fair to both property owners and taxpayers. LAS also is responsible for ensuring the sufficiency of title for all real property that federal agencies acquire by direct purchase. For both cases in litigation and title matters, the legal and factual issues are often complex and intellectually challenging and may include: the power of the United States to condemn; ascertainment of the market value of property; and the physical, legal or financial feasibility of purported potential uses of property. The Section also provides client-agencies with both training and consultation during the planning process for major federal land acquisition efforts to ensure the success of those projects. Section attorneys are actively involved in every facet of our cases from pre-filing consultation with client-agencies to discovery, motion practice, negotiations, and trial. On a day-to-day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, engage in case development, negotiate with opposing counsel, draft substantive motions and briefs, take depositions, present oral arguments, and conduct trials before juries, judges, and land commissions. Our attorneys work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment, and consult closely with our client-agencies as well as expert witnesses. LAS attorneys work in teams composed of our in-house consulting appraisers, attorneys, and paralegals to develop successful and fair litigation positions. Recent cases handled by LAS include the acquisition of land for the expansion of Arlington National Cemetery, rebuilding of water delivery and electric transmission line systems in Washington, taking land into trust for a tribe under the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute Settlement Act of 1996 in New Mexico, constructing border security and customs infrastructure at our borders, and maintaining the air traffic safety network throughout the United States. The ideal candidates will bring a strong interest in federal litigation and trial work, and at least 4 years of post-JD experience. LAS seeks to hire and cultivate talented trial attorneys and provides its lawyers with frequent and meaningful court experience in a variety of jurisdictions. Because of the nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable in "first-chair" and supporting roles in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including pre-trial discovery, motion practice, oral argument, and examination of fact and expert witnesses. The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, real estate and appraisal principles, and legal issues. Successful candidates will be hard-working, intellectually curious, enjoy having primary responsibilities in sophisticated litigation, and proficiency in working with a wide range of experts. Creative thinking and talent in problem-solving - whether in a litigation or settlement @context - are critical. Collegiality is fundamental to our Section. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working collaboratively with other attorneys and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys. In staffing our cases, we strive to create work opportunities for our attorneys that allow them to constantly learn and grow by providing them with new challenges. Attorneys are given the opportunity to handle their own cases and are provided substantive training on litigating condemnation cases. As part of our practice, in short order, attorneys author substantive motions and pleadings, argue issues in federal district courts, take depositions, and conduct negotiations. The opportunity to participate in a trial is typically available within the first two years of employment with LAS. Attorneys in the Section also broaden their skill sets and contribute to LAS's critical work through access to the Department of Justice's litigation resources and trainings. LAS is composed of exceptionally talented attorneys who enjoy a team-oriented, collaborative work environment. The appraisers and paralegals we have are valuable resources, offering reliable help with a can-do attitude. The Section cultivates an atmosphere of respect among colleagues who work together to advocate for the U.S. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below: At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level. At least 5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level. Experience in litigation, administrative law, and/or environmental law is highly desirable. Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is: Washington DC: GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093) GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200) YOUR RESUME´ 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. 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. 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 Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the @type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your application. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/. To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214. Suitability and Citizenship: 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. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: 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. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy Selective Service: If you were born male, on or 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 behalf from 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. Please Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available in the Division within 90 days after HR office issues the certificate of eligibles.
