Deputy Chief Environmental Defense Section.

Offices-to-go; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Justice's Environmental Defense Section (EDS) in ENRD seeks a Deputy Chief to lead a nationwide network of attorneys and guide strategic enforcement and litigation efforts under major environmental statutes.

Applicants should demonstrate senior executive leadership capabilities, civil litigation expertise in federal courts, and strong skills in policy analysis and cross-district coordination. SES qualifications and J.D. are required.

Qualifications

• ECQ1 demonstrates commitment to the Rule of Law and the American founding.
• ECQ2 demonstrates efficiency in budget, resources, and process improvements.
• ECQ3 demonstrates high-quality, competent work product.
• ECQ4 demonstrates the ability to lead and develop people.
• ECQ5 demonstrates ability to achieve organizational results.
• MTQ1 civil litigation experience in federal courts handling complex cases involving federal agency actions.
• MTQ2 experience handling complex statutory, administrative, and policy issues under federal laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Advises senior leadership on matters related to the Energy and Natural Resources program.
• Serves as the primary leader of day-to-day operations for the section.
• Oversees a nationwide network of attorneys embedded within USAOs.
• Builds and leads partnerships with federal prosecutors and state officials.
• Manages strategic direction, oversight, and national coordination of the program.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Federal regulatory issues

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Duties

The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) handles a very diverse docket of cases arising in both federal district courts and the courts of appeals under the nation's major pollution-control statutes, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, as well as statutes governing pesticides, drinking water, toxic substances, and the management and cleanup of hazardous wastes. EDS cases are defensive in nature, which can range, for example, from challenges to EPA and other federal agency regulations, permit decisions and policies, to cases seeking to compel allegedly overdue agency actions, to cases brought against federal agencies seeking contribution to hazardous waste cleanups. EDS sometimes works with the enforcement section on matters involving both defensive and offensive claims. Recent noteworthy examples of EDS' work include defense of EPA regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and stationary sources, as well as regulations issued by EPA and the Corps of Engineers defining the scope of "waters of the United States" subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act.

The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) plays a vital and unique role in defending the federal government's environmental regulatory agenda being implemented by EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, including rules and permits issued under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other pollution control statutes. With approximately 60 lawyers and 20 legal support staff; EDS is the third-largest litigating section in ENRD.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Participates fully with the Section Chief in advising the Deputy Attorney General, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, and the Assistant Attorney General as appropriate on all matters related to the Energy and Natural Resources program.
• Serves as the primary leader of the staff for day-to-day operations.
• Shares the full scope of duties with the Section Chief overseeing a nationwide network of attorneys embedded within U.S. Attorney's Offices (USAOs).
• Builds and leads integrated partnerships with federal prosecutors and state officials, ensuring the Energy and Natural Resources Division's mission is carried out effectively in every district and state.
• Accountable for strategic direction, operational oversight, and national coordination of the Program, ensuring high-quality enforcement, litigation support, and cross district collaboration.
• Manages the Section's fiscal resources and assures the effectiveness of internal management controls.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions Of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
• You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed.
• You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
• You may be required to travel up to 25% of the time.
• You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of their demonstrated leadership ability by addressing the the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not to exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided)

• Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position.

We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Deputy Chief Environmental Defense Section. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

ECQ1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

ECQ5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to state goals from superiors.

For this position, the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) have been established and should be addressed within the resume application.

MTQ 1: Demonstrated civil litigation experience in federal courts handling complex cases involving federal agency actions.

MTQ 2: Demonstrated experience handling complex statutory, administrative, and policy issues arising under federal laws and regulations.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing in at least one state, one U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement:

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. The complete DOJ EEO Statement/Policy is found at:

Reasonable Accommodation

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 U.S. Department Of Justice Fosters An Inclusive And Diverse Workforce, Find Our EEO Statement Online At

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

• Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number may be requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.
• Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
• Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.
• False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
• 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of