The Administration has identified several civil rights priorities, including combating antisemitism, protecting women, preserving election integrity, eliminating unlawful DEI practices, and safeguarding Second Amendment rights. To advance these priorities, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division (CRT or Division) is seeking experienced litigating attorneys to serve one-year detail assignments supporting the Division's enforcement mission.
Summary
The Administration has identified several civil rights priorities, including combating antisemitism, protecting women, preserving election integrity, eliminating unlawful DEI practices, and safeguarding Second Amendment rights. To advance these priorities, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division (CRT or Division) is seeking experienced litigating attorneys to serve one-year detail assignments supporting the Division's enforcement mission.
This one (1) year detail opportunity is for current attorneys in the excepted service only. If you are not a current federal civilian employee, you will not be considered for this position.
Selected attorneys will serve as Trial Attorneys within CRT's enforcement sections, with anticipated placements in the Educational Opportunities, Employment Litigation, and Voting Sections, among others. Working collaboratively with experienced career staff, detailees will:
Manage a full docket of civil rights investigations and litigation aligned with Administration priorities;
Initiate and conduct complex investigations into alleged civil rights violations;
Analyze investigative findings and make litigation recommendations, as appropriate;
Litigate civil rights cases in federal district courts nationwide, including drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs, and participating in hearings and trials; and
Negotiate settlement agreements where appropriate and monitor compliance with court orders and settlement terms.
Must have successfully passed a security/background investigation and a drug screening.
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
MUSTprovide an SF-50, which shows type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary.
MUST provide a performance appraisal, dated within the last 15 months. If performance appraisal is not submitted, applicant will be removed from consideration.
Under a detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee's base pay or grade level. Temporary promotions are not authorized.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be individuals with at least 1 year at the lower grade level on a permanent attorney position (not time-limited appointment), possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of a bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess at least 1.5 years post-professional law degree experience. Applicants must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas:
Litigation experience, including assisting with litigation or conducting investigations and managing cases through all stages of litigation;
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to draft persuasive legal documents and present arguments effectively;
Sound judgement and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate legal and factual issues and apply governing law; and
The ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
This experience must be fully supported and articulated in your resume to receive consideration.
Education
A J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Additional information
These details will be filled at the grade level advertised. This assignment may be ended earlier or extended, based on management's needs and mutal agreement. This is NOT a temporary promotion and temporary promotion candidates will not be considered. Interested applicants must currently be in a non-time limited appointment in the same grade level they are applying for.
To be considered for this position as a DETAIL at the GS-13, 14, or 15 grade level, you must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to potentially qualify for a detail and hold the same grade level you are currently applying for.
Upon completion of this DETAIL, the employee will be expected to return to their home agency.
The Department is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit basedfactor. The Department welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department 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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department 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 of Justice.
The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination are not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
The Division provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and selection process, please notify the Disability Program Manager Diane Turner at (202) 532-5178 or Diane.M.Turner@usdoj.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Division offices are near metro transportation systems or other public transportation, and are conveniently accessible to restaurants, museums and other D.C. area attractions. Most jobs in the Division offer alternative work schedules and other family friendly opportunities are available.
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. 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. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.
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.
Cover letter describing your interest in the detail.
Resume - Your resume must describe your job-related experiences and will be used to verify your qualifications.
Most recent performance appraisal - The performance appraisal must be dated within the last 18 months, if you are unable to provide a performance appraisal, an explanation of why must be provided. Please include a document in your application package explaining why the performance appraisal is not available. Lack of performance appraisal or statement may remove applicant from consideration.
SF-50 - Most recent SF-50 showing type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary (you may be removed from consideration if not submitted). An SF-50 showing highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. (NOTE: Performance Award, Realignment/Reassignment, Name Change, and Detail SF-50s will not be accepted as proof of grade and tenure.)
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Cover letter
Resume
Most recent permanent appraisal
Current SF-50
Statement indicating Agency approval of detail
Interested candidates should be available to start the detail within approximately two weeks of selection. The CRT encourages all interested and qualified employees in a permanent attorney position to apply for this position. If you are interested in this detail opportunity, submit a cover letter, a resume, your most recent performance appraisal, a current SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and a statement indicating whether you have requested and/or obtained tentative approval from your supervisor to be considered for this detail.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/30/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click "Apply" to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Diane Turner at 202-532-5178 or Diane.M.Turner@usdoj.gov to obtain an alternative application.
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Eligible candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection on a rolling basis. Due to the large number of applications received, applicants will ONLY be contacted if they have been selected for an interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Cover letter describing your interest in the detail.
Resume - Your resume must describe your job-related experiences and will be used to verify your qualifications.
Most recent performance appraisal - The performance appraisal must be dated within the last 18 months, if you are unable to provide a performance appraisal, an explanation of why must be provided. Please include a document in your application package explaining why the performance appraisal is not available. Lack of performance appraisal or statement may remove applicant from consideration.
SF-50 - Most recent SF-50 showing type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary (you may be removed from consideration if not submitted). An SF-50 showing highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. (NOTE: Performance Award, Realignment/Reassignment, Name Change, and Detail SF-50s will not be accepted as proof of grade and tenure.)
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Cover letter
Resume
Most recent permanent appraisal
Current SF-50
Statement indicating Agency approval of detail
Interested candidates should be available to start the detail within approximately two weeks of selection. The CRT encourages all interested and qualified employees in a permanent attorney position to apply for this position. If you are interested in this detail opportunity, submit a cover letter, a resume, your most recent performance appraisal, a current SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and a statement indicating whether you have requested and/or obtained tentative approval from your supervisor to be considered for this detail.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/30/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click "Apply" to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Diane Turner at 202-532-5178 or Diane.M.Turner@usdoj.gov to obtain an alternative application.
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Eligible candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection on a rolling basis. Due to the large number of applications received, applicants will ONLY be contacted if they have been selected for an interview.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
