Trial Attorney - Wildlife and Marine Resources Section

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

Job summary

The Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the U.S. Department of Justice seeks one or more experienced litigators for its Wildlife and Marine Resources Section in Washington, DC or Denver, Colorado.

The position requires a J.D. degree (or equivalent), active bar admission, U.S. citizenship, and 1.5–4 years of post-J.D. litigation or judicial experience for the respective GS level. Salary levels and locations vary by grade and duty station.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and active bar membership in good standing.
• U.S. citizen or national.
• Years of post-J.D. experience required for GS levels: 1.5+ (GS-13), 2.5+ (GS-14), 4+ (GS-15).
• Strong interest in federal litigation, trial work and appellate work; excellent academics.

Responsibilities

• Engage in federal litigation, trial work and/or appellate work.
• Conduct high-level legal research and writing.
• Represent the government in litigation at federal and state levels when assigned.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research

Legal writing

Appellate experience

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

The Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking 1 or more experienced litigators for its Wildlife and Marine Resources Section in Washington, DC or Denver, Colorado.

The first cut-off date for referral of applicants will be October 7, 2026. The second cut-off date will be on the closing date of October 28, 2026.

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

Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation, trial work and/or appellate work, and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable. Applicants must demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.

Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level.

The possible salary range is:

Denver, CO:

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

Washington DC:

• 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.