Trial Attorney - Environmental and Bankruptcy Law

US Offices, Boards and Divisions; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 119,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environmental Enforcement Section seeks qualified attorneys to join its nationwide civil enforcement efforts under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Superfund law. Positions may be filled in Denver, CO or Washington, DC, and require a J.D. degree, active bar membership, and U.S.

citizenship. Candidates should have post-J.D. experience in environment and bankruptcy litigation, strong written and oral skills, and the ability to manage multiple duties in a fast-paced government

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar in good standing; U.S. citizenship required.
• 1.5–4 years of post-J.D. experience in environment and bankruptcy litigation.
• Experience with federal environmental enforcement is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate civil enforcement actions under major environmental statutes.
• Analyze complex legal issues and prepare litigation strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues and agencies in fast-paced settings.

Skills

Collaboration

Written communication

Oral communication

Analytical reasoning

Multitasking

Judgment

Education

J.D. degree

Bar admission

Job description

The Environmental Enforcement Section is responsible for nationwide civil enforcement of federal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (the Superfund law). Our attorneys pursue enforcement actions that result in significant benefits for public health, from reducing air pollution to cleaning up contaminated lands.

At least one position to be filled in either Denver, CO or Washington, DC.

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 1.5 years of post J.D. experience that includes both environment and bankruptcy litigation and/or related judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience that includes both environment and bankruptcy litigation and/or related judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. experience that includes both environment and bankruptcy litigation and/or related judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.

Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; excellent written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze a variety of legal issues; initiative; professional judgment; organizational skills; and the ability to manage multiple demands simultaneously and to excel in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Federal or state court litigation and trial experience, including experience with electronic discovery and document management;
• Experience with multi-party negotiations and mediations;
• Knowledge of the laws enforced by the Environmental Enforcement Section;
• Experience supervising the work of, and delegating responsibility to, professional staff; and
• Skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, including co-counsel and professional staff, the staff of other federal agencies, fact and expert witnesses, opposing counsel, and judicial officials.

While the following are also desirable, no candidate will be excluded from consideration in the absence of these experiences: Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, and clinical experience.

Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation and/or trial work and a strong academic background. The ideal candidates will have between two and seven years' post-JD experience (including judicial clerkships, if any) and will be able to demonstrate an interest in public service.

The possible salary range for Denver, CO.:

• GS-13 ($118,675 - $154,280)
• GS-14 ($140,239 - $182,316)
• GS-15 ($164,956 - $197,200)

The possible salary range for Washington D.C.:

• GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322)
• GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093)
• 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-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.