Assistant Section Chief - Natural Resources Section

US Offices, Boards and Divisions; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 165,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The Natural Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division seeks an Assistant Section Chief in Denver or Washington, DC. The ideal candidate has a J.D., active bar status, and seven years of post‑J.D. litigation experience, with exposure to the Administrative Procedure Act.

You will mentor and manage attorneys and staff, supervise complex federal cases, work with client agencies and courts, and uphold the highest ethical standards while meeting tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree required and bar admission in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and manage attorneys and administrative staff to produce high quality work under tight deadlines.
• Supervise complex federal litigation and coordinate with client agencies, court personnel, and opposing counsel.
• Uphold the highest ethical and professional standards and develop supervisees' writing skills.

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Environment and Natural Resources Division, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.

The Natural Resources Section is seeking an Assistant Section Chief in Washington, DC or Denver, for one of its six litigating teams.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 7 years post-J.D. experience or post clerkship litigation including significant litigation experience or substantive familiarity with the Administrative Procedure Act or other statutes within the Section's jurisdiction.

The ideal candidate will have significant federal litigation experience; the ability to mentor and manage attorneys and administrative staff to produce high quality work under tight time frames, including the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and to adjust to meet new priorities; exceptional legal writing and editing skills and a strong commitment to developing the writing skills of supervisees; the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with client agencies, court personnel, and opposing counsel, as well as the ability to build productive relationships with managers and attorneys in the Natural Resources Section, other ENRD Sections, and other Department of Justice components; and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Experience defending complex federal agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act is desired but not required.

The possible salary range for Denver is:

• GS-15 ($164,956 -$197,200)

The possible salary range for Washington D.C. is:

• 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‑t