General Attorney (RECA)

Offices, Boards and Divisions; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

Offices, Boards and Divisions in Washington, DC seeks a General Attorney to administer and adjudicate RECA program claims within the Civil Division. You will conduct research, draft legal documents, and collaborate with multiple agencies to support entitlement determinations and restitution efforts.

The role involves reviewing complex cases, developing evidence, and ensuring compliance with statutes and regulations. In-person work five days a week in a demanding yet impactful environment.

Qualifications

• Requires accreditation or pre-accreditation status from a recognized accrediting body.
• Foreign education may meet requirements if comparable to US standards and evidenced by a credentialing agency.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research and analysis on statutes, rules, and regulations governing RECA Program.
• Reviews administrative records in RECA claims with complex factual and legal questions.
• Develops additional evidence to support entitlement determinations and compensation amounts.
• Works with federal, state, and local agencies to gather evidence relevant to the Department's position.
• Evaluates claims for fraud and litigative risk and provides entitlement recommendations.
• Drafts correspondence, memoranda, and documents related to RECA claims and defends decisions in court.

Job description

• Hiring Agency: Offices, Boards and Divisions
• Department: Department of Justice
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia

The Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation (CSTL) Section is the largest section of the Torts Branch in the Civil Division, Department of Justice. CSTL includes three groups: Civil Division, Torts Branch, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program.

Key Responsibilities

The RECA Program administers claims under a statute providing compensation to individuals who developed illnesses from radiation exposure while mining, milling, or transporting uranium ore for defense purposes, or from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing during the Cold War. In July 2025, the Act was expanded to cover additional geographic areas, more workers, and injuries connected to the Manhattan Project.

Staff in the RECA Program represent the Attorney General's interests throughout the claims process, including investigation, adjudication, and appeal. The program handles complex legal and factual issues involving substantial monetary claims and serves as a key component of the Department's efforts to provide restitution to affected individuals.

As a General Attorney, the incumbent: Conducts research and analysis concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, and regulations regarding complex issues that arise in connection with the RECA Program and matters within purview of T-CSTL; Reviews the administrative record in claims under RECA with complex factual and legal questions; Works to develop additional evidence in support of determinations of entitlement to compensation and the amount of such compensation; Works closely with federal, state, and local agencies to collect evidence relevant to the Department's position; Evaluates claims for fraud and litigative risk and provides recommendations of entitlement.

Drafts associated correspondence, memoranda, and documents relating to claims; Works closely with DOJ trial attorneys representing the United States in RECA Program matters that end up before the courts.

Drafts legal pleadings and other documents that may be needed in defense of decisions made under the Act; and Participates in meetings and discussions with opposing counsel, collaborating agencies, state and local stakeholders regarding all aspects of claims and other matters related to the RECA Program. This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.

Requirements & 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://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Offices, Boards and Divisions, Department of Justice.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $85447 – $197200/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-12.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.