Trial Attorney.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking a Trial Attorney for the Litigation and Enforcement Division. The role involves leading investigations into potential violations of federal motor vehicle safety laws, drafting regulations, and advising on enforcement matters in collaboration with technical experts.

The ideal candidate will have a law degree, bar admission, and progressive experience in civil litigation, administrative proceedings, and agency enforcement.

Qualifications

• Must have professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) and be in good standing of a bar.
• Grade 13: 2 years of relevant professional legal experience; relevant experience includes research, drafting pleadings, and supporting civil litigation or administrative proceedings.
• Grade 14: 3 years of relevant professional legal experience; includes formulating recommendations and drafting court documents; civil litigation experience.
• Grade 15: 4 years of relevant professional legal experience; includes independent legal analysis and highly complex civil litigation.

Responsibilities

• Represent or assist in representing the agency in investigatory and enforcement activities under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
• Represent or assist in representing the agency in litigation over rules and regulations, e.g., safety standards and fuel economy, under applicable statutes.
• Represent the agency before administrative tribunals such as EEOC and MSPB.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation experience

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Education

J.D. or LL.B.

Job description

• Represent or assist in representing the agency in a wide range of investigatory and enforcement activities pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
• Represent or assist in representing the agency in a range of litigation over rules and regulations, such as motor vehicle safety standards and fuel economy regulations, and other agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, Vehicle Safety Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other statutes.
• Represent the agency before administrative tribunals such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

Duties

As a Trial Attorney, You Will

• Represent or assist in representing the agency in a wide range of investigatory and enforcement activities pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
• Represent or assist in representing the agency in a range of litigation over rules and regulations, such as motor vehicle safety standards and fuel economy regulations, and other agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, Vehicle Safety Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other statutes.
• Represent the agency before administrative tribunals such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

As a Trial Attorney in the Litigation and Enforcement Division you will have opportunities to be involved with a diverse portfolio of high-profile and innovative legal issues including enforcing the Nation’s motor vehicle safety laws and the laws governing fuel economy. Attorneys in the Litigation and Enforcement Division lead investigations into potential violations of law and seek civil penalties or other sanctions when warranted. Attorneys work in close partnership with technical experts on recalls and on investigations of potential safety defects in motor vehicles and noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Attorneys also prepare regulations related to enforcement and advise on a wide range of other legal issues.

With the Department of Justice, attorneys in the Litigation and Enforcement Division also participate in a range of litigation over rules and regulations, such as motor vehicle safety standards and fuel economy regulations, and other agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, Vehicle Safety Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other statutes. Attorneys in this Division also represent the agency in personnel cases before administrative tribunals such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

This position is perfect for a professional looking to grow with a great Federal agency. We are seeking highly qualified individuals who are willing to meet the challenges of public service and support our mission. NHTSA is looking for someone who is highly motivated and who can communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, at all levels of the organization.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, a customer/client service-oriented approach, creativity and initiative, and sound legal and practical judgment.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• This is an Excepted Service position.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

Conditions Of Employment

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263.

Qualifications

To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

GRADE 13

Possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be in good standing of a bar. Applicants must have 2 years of relevant professional legal experience.

• Experience conducting legal research and drafting legal analysis to support senior attorneys and managers.
• Experience drafting routine legal documents, discovery materials, or specific sections of pleadings and briefs for civil litigation or administrative proceedings.
• Experience assisting with the mechanics of civil litigation, enforcement activities, or investigations under the guidance of senior counsel.

GRADE 14

Possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be in good standing of a bar. Applicants must have 3 years of relevant professional legal experience.

• Experience performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers.
• Experience composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil litigation; AND
• Experience conducting civil litigation.

GRADE 15

Possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and be in good standing of a bar. Applicants must have 4 years of relevant professional legal experience.

• Experience independently performing legal analysis, composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil litigation.
• Experience briefing clients or senior leadership on legal issues; AND
• Experience conducting highly complex civil litigation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Mandatory Education Requirements

In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Additional information

Required

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-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; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 2-year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at,

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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 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 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.