The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes and the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Summary
The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes and the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The Section is soliciting applications from experienced attorneys for the position of Senior Litigation Counsel in Washington D.C. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a powerful aptitude for sophisticated litigation, facility in the legal analysis of novel and complicated issues, and the ability to harness leading-edge technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. They will be expected to provide advice and guidance on trial strategy and trial advocacy as well as oversee the formulation of trial roadmaps and coordinate discovery. The candidate should have significant experience with complex emergency motion practice and handling some of the Department's most high-profile cases, including fluency with complex regulatory analyses, statutory interpretation and constitutional law.
The role also requires intensive trial work, including working with expert witnesses: identifying factual issues that require expert witness testimony, locating and retaining qualified expert witnesses, and coordinating and synthesizing the opinions of multiple expert witnesses and their reports across different specialties. Further, this position involves both impromptu and formalized mentoring of trial attorneys during case assignments and in environments specifically set aside for training. Training topics include substantive areas of law, as well as procedural best practices. The position also requires direct consultation with the ENRD Front Office and senior management of other DOJ divisions and federal agencies.
You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
To receive consideration, your complete application must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
You must receive written notification that your application was received.
Mandatory Technical Qualifications are required.
This is not a remote job. If selected, you will be required to report to your duty location on a regular and recurring basis.
Pre-employment drug testing and background investigation required prior to appointment.
You will be required to complete a Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278 before entrance-on-duty and will be required to provide this information annually thereafter.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. This Senior Level position requires a minimum of 10 years of post-J.D. litigation experience.
You must meet the mandatory technical qualifications (MTQ) listed below. Please address the MTQs below by providing concrete and succinct examples of your experience that demonstrate the complexity of the experience you possess. Do not exceed one page per MTQ.
Demonstrated expertise in natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource law and complex litigation involving statutes and areas of the law within the Section's portfolio.
Demonstrated experience reviewing the work products of attorneys and providing advice and direction in handling complex litigation cases and projects.
Demonstrated experience writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively and communicating effectively with various audiences.
Qualifications must include a demonstrated record of complex case management, superb courtroom and presentation skills, excellent negotiation skills, outstanding legal writing, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Experience litigating cases in the federal district court or the Court of Federal Claims is highly desired but not required.
Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.
Veterans Preference Policy
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 Veteran 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.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).:
SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or 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.
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.
An Executive Resources Board (ERB) will assess your overall specialized knowledge and experience as it relates to the position to be filled to determine the best qualified candidates to be referred to the Selecting Official. You will be notified of the outcome.
1 or more positions may be filled, subject to availability of funds and hiring authorization.
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.
Resume and MTQs:You must submit a detailed resume that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position along with a separate document detailing responses to the (3) MTQs.
Each job entry listed in your employment history must include the following information:
Official position title.
Employer name and contact information.
Start and end dates (including month and year).
A detailed list of duties & accomplishments for each job entry.
Your highest grade/step or salary achieved.
The number of hours worked per week (or indicate full-time).
If you're unsure about what to include in your resume, please review the USAJOBS Resume Writing Tutorial on YouTube. You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder, as this will ensure you're including everything that is required.
Law School Transcripts:
You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
Your transcript must come from a nationally-accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education and accredited by the American Bar Association.
Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection, these may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
Proof of Active Bar in Good Standing:
Applicants must be active members of the bar in good standing in a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Proof of active bar membership can be a printout from a bar association, scanned copies or membership cards, letters of good standing, etc.)
If you are a Federal employee, submit an SF-50:
You must submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action). Do not submit an award SF-50, as these do not contain sufficient information about your appointment.
Your SF-50 should list the full position title, series, grade and step, organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and your service type and tenure status.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluations or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available, submit a statement explaining why one is not available.
If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse and are eligible for veterans' preference:
DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation.
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 Veteran 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.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
Applicants should note that the SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
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.
You must apply online through USAJOBS. Click on the APPLY button. Follow the prompts to login or create an account and upload all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
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/
You must upload a complete Application Package which includes:
Complete Resume (not to exceed two pages)
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) (not to exceed one page per MTQ)
Latest Performance Appraisal
Current federal employees must submit a recent SF-50 Personnel Action (But not an Award Action)
Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/25/2026 may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.
Natural Resources Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Applicants rated best qualified by the panel will be referred to the hiring official and may be invited to participate in an interview. You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list. Click here to learn more about checking your application status, or see what each application status means.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume and MTQs:You must submit a detailed resume that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position along with a separate document detailing responses to the (3) MTQs.
Each job entry listed in your employment history must include the following information:
Official position title.
Employer name and contact information.
Start and end dates (including month and year).
A detailed list of duties & accomplishments for each job entry.
Your highest grade/step or salary achieved.
The number of hours worked per week (or indicate full-time).
If you're unsure about what to include in your resume, please review the USAJOBS Resume Writing Tutorial on YouTube. You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder, as this will ensure you're including everything that is required.
Law School Transcripts:
You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
Your transcript must come from a nationally-accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education and accredited by the American Bar Association.
Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection, these may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
Proof of Active Bar in Good Standing:
Applicants must be active members of the bar in good standing in a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Proof of active bar membership can be a printout from a bar association, scanned copies or membership cards, letters of good standing, etc.)
If you are a Federal employee, submit an SF-50:
You must submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action). Do not submit an award SF-50, as these do not contain sufficient information about your appointment.
Your SF-50 should list the full position title, series, grade and step, organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and your service type and tenure status.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluations or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available, submit a statement explaining why one is not available.
If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse and are eligible for veterans' preference:
DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation.
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 Veteran 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.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
Applicants should note that the SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
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.
You must apply online through USAJOBS. Click on the APPLY button. Follow the prompts to login or create an account and upload all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
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/
You must upload a complete Application Package which includes:
Complete Resume (not to exceed two pages)
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) (not to exceed one page per MTQ)
Latest Performance Appraisal
Current federal employees must submit a recent SF-50 Personnel Action (But not an Award Action)
Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/25/2026 may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.
Natural Resources Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Applicants rated best qualified by the panel will be referred to the hiring official and may be invited to participate in an interview. You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list. Click here to learn more about checking your application status, or see what each application status means.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
