Attorney (Entry-Level)

Justice Management Division; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Justice – Civil Rights Division seeks experienced Trial Attorneys to work on complex civil rights enforcement matters, including education, employment, housing, voting, and public accommodations.

Responsibilities include investigation, document review, witness interviews, and drafting memoranda for potential litigation. Applicants must have a J.D., be an active member of the bar, and demonstrate outstanding references.

Qualifications

• Academic achievement and substantive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to analyze complex issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders; professional judgment and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of civil rights discrimination and potential legal violations.
• Conduct extensive document review to analyze data and evidence.
• Interview witnesses and draft legal and factual memoranda.

Skills

Legal analysis

Written communication

Oral advocacy

Collaborative work

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Professional judgment

Initiative

Education

J.D.

Job description

Summary

Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging opportunity? Join the U.S. Department of Justice! The Civil Rights Division seeks experienced attorneys to work on a variety of significant and complex issues to enforce federal statutes and executive orders that prohibit unlawful discrimination, including discrimination in voting, education, employment, housing, police services, public accommodations and facilities, and federally funded and conducted programs.

Duties

As a Trial Attorney, your duties may include: investigating allegations of civil rights discrimination or potential violations of the law; conducting extensive document review to gather, analyze, and evaluate data and evidence; interview witnesses; drafting legal and factual memoranda; presenting evidence to federal grand juries (if appropriate); developing cases for possible litigation; working with expert witnesses and other federal partners; presenting the government's case in federal or district court; conducting negotiations and mediations on a range of issues; and enforcing settlement agreements and remedial orders.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• You may be required to complete a one- or two-year probationary period.
• You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening to initiate your background investigation, which includes a drug screening. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion and adjudication of your investigation.
• You must have a JD degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• DOJ uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, by visiting www.e-verify.gov/.
• Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date.
• Resume cannot exceed two (2) pages.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one- or two-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the work of the section or substantially similar laws, rules, and regulations; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references. Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

• GS-11 - Up to one year of post-J.D. legal experience, or possess J.D.
• GS-12 - Minimum of one year of post-J.D. legal experience

Preferred Qualifications

Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as charging parties, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.

Education

You must possess a J.D.

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

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The DOJ is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The DOJ 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. For more information, please review our full

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities

The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list

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. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see,

FAIR CHANCE TO COMPETE FOR JOBS

The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee has violated your rights under the Fair Chance Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly with the DOJ component hiring office listed in the job opportunity announcement. For more information visit

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A Career with the U.S. Government

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.

Eligibility for Benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter - Letter should highlight relevant knowledge and experience, including any preferred sections.
• Resume - Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Applicants 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. Additionally, your resume must include the following information for each job listed: month and year, start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Law School Transcripts - Submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Current DOJ Attorneys are not required to submit a copy of their transcripts.
• Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)
• Assessment Questionnaire (you will be prompted to complete this when you apply online).
• Schedule A Documentation (if applicable) - Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). This letter must be separate from any Veterans Preference documentation. If you are selected and your Schedule A letter is more than three years old, you must provide an updated letter.
• Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable) - please note on your resume and attach an SF-50. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.
• Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable):
• If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
• If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15

Failure to provide the applicable required documents could possibly result in losing consideration for this vacancy. If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc. Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD214, or Transcripts. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and all required documents are submitted prior to the closing date.

All materials must be received by 03/31/2027 to be considered for this announcement.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Agency Contact Information

Colby Shearer

Email Address Civil Rights Division

950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20530

US