The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking an attorney to defend the Food & Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and other federal agencies in civil litigation throughout the country. The attorney will defend against high-profile challenges to agency actions, policies, and programs related to food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco, and other consumer products. The attorney will also have the opportunity to participate in affirmative litigation cases.
Summary
The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking an attorney to defend the Food & Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and other federal agencies in civil litigation throughout the country. The attorney will defend against high-profile challenges to agency actions, policies, and programs related to food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco, and other consumer products. The attorney will also have the opportunity to participate in affirmative litigation cases.
The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking a Trial Attorney to specialize in representing the United States in a range of civil defensive litigation. Advancing the Branch's mission to safeguard Americans' health, safety, economic security, and identity integrity, the selected Trial Attorney will defend the Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and other consumer protection agencies in district courts throughout the country. This work includes cases challenging, under the Administrative Procedure Act and U.S. Constitution, agency actions related to food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco, and other consumer products, as well as significant agency policies and programs. These cases typically involve complex legal issues regarding the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, the Tobacco Control Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Act. The Trial Attorney will engage in all phases of litigation, preparing briefs and representing the United States in court, while working closely with agency partners.
In addition, the Trial Attorney hired under this announcement will have the opportunity to engage in the Branch's affirmative civil litigation. Working with U.S. Attorneys' Offices and federal law enforcement partners, the Trial Attorney will advance investigations using civil investigative tools, prepare pleadings, and litigate motions and trials. Areas of enforcement emphasis for the Branch include: the prescription opioid crisis, adulterated and misbranded food, drugs, and medical devices; fraud schemes affecting vulnerable individuals; deceptive trade practices and privacy violations; and hazardous consumer products.
The Trial Attorney also will be able to review and opine on policy matters and legislative proposals related to public health and safety; advise U.S. Attorneys' Offices on potential actions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other federal laws; engage with Department leadership; and participate in training offerings and events.
Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
May require completion of a fourteen month trial period
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two year trial period.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a J.D. degree earned through graduation from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Applicants must have at least four years of post-J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Applicants must have excellent writing and advocacy skills, as well as superior negotiation and interpersonal skills. Successful applicants will be highly motivated, exhibit sound judgment and creativity, and have several years of active litigation experience. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with the enforcement of federal criminal laws is strongly preferred.
Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements for consideration.
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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans' preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdffor a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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.
Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: www.benderconsult.com.
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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalffrom inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application will be evaluated by a reviewing panel.
Please Note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates if more positions become available within 120 days after the closing date of the vacancy.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must submit a cover letter, resume, and 2 writing samples (no more than 10 pages in length for each sample, and both written in the past 2 years). If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
The suggested submission format is to email a single .pdf file of the following required documents, in order:
Cover letter
Resume
2 writing samples (no more than 10 pages in length for each sample, and both written in the past 2 years)
(Optional) Veterans' preference DD-214 (Member 4 Copy)/other documentation
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: Consumer.Protection@usdoj.gov.
Emailed applications with multiple files attached will also be accepted. Applications submitted by email must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date listed in this announcement.
On the subject line, please put "CPB - Defensive Trial Attorney Application."
Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
Ms. Lory Alexander
U.S. Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Branch
450 5th St., NW, Ste. 6400
Washington, D.C. 20530
No telephone calls, please.
Salary Information: The salary for the position is at the GS-15 level ($163,964.00 to 191,900.00 per year)
Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once your application is received you will be sent an acknowledgement email and subsequent emails throughout the process to notify you of your disposition and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interview are required you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must submit a cover letter, resume, and 2 writing samples (no more than 10 pages in length for each sample, and both written in the past 2 years). If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
The suggested submission format is to email a single .pdf file of the following required documents, in order:
Cover letter
Resume
2 writing samples (no more than 10 pages in length for each sample, and both written in the past 2 years)
(Optional) Veterans' preference DD-214 (Member 4 Copy)/other documentation
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: Consumer.Protection@usdoj.gov.
Emailed applications with multiple files attached will also be accepted. Applications submitted by email must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date listed in this announcement.
On the subject line, please put "CPB - Defensive Trial Attorney Application."
Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
Ms. Lory Alexander
U.S. Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Branch
450 5th St., NW, Ste. 6400
Washington, D.C. 20530
No telephone calls, please.
Salary Information: The salary for the position is at the GS-15 level ($163,964.00 to 191,900.00 per year)
Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once your application is received you will be sent an acknowledgement email and subsequent emails throughout the process to notify you of your disposition and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interview are required you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
