Duties

The Torts Branch's Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Section handles a wide variety of complex, and often controversial, suits filed under the FTCA. These suits arise most often from the provision of medical care at federal facilities or community health centers, regulatory activities, law enforcement activities, and management of federal lands. Examples of law enforcement matters recently handled by the FTCA Section include defending the United States in three mass shooting cases, one of which was the 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Another example of sensitive law enforcement litigation arose out of the defense of alleged FBI misconduct in handling informants in Boston, as well as suits brought by individuals who were detained on immigration charges following the 9-11 terrorist attacks. The FTCA Section is also defending the United States in complex litigation stemming from a catastrophic wildfire. In terms of medical malpractice, the FTCA Section handles some of the most complex medical malpractice suits filed against the United States. These are often birth injury cases with complex medical causation issues in which high damages awards are sought. On a day-to-day basis, the FTCA Section provides guidance to U.S. Attorney's Offices (USAOs) and federal agencies on a broad range of legal issues that arise under the FTCA, assists in the development of strategy, and participates in settlement negotiations of claims handled by other federal agencies or in cases handled by the USAOs. The FTCA Section has particular expertise in the evaluation and settlement of catastrophic injury cases. In addition, the FTCA Section is responsible for providing appeal recommendations on adverse FTCA judgments, including for those cases handled by USAOs. The FTCA Section also provides comments on draft legislation that may have an impact on the public fisc. In addition, the FTCA Section is responsible for the adjudication of administrative claims arising out of the conduct of employees of the Department of Justice (DOJ) nationwide.

This vacancy presents an opportunity for experienced trial attorneys who want to defend the United States in complex, often high dollar value cases. Trial attorneys in the FTCA Section handle personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage suits arising from activities of federal employees acting within the scope of their federal employment. FTCA Section attorneys frequently handle large or complex cases of national significance. They also provide guidance on complex legal issues in suits handled by USAOs and on administrative claims pending with federal agencies, make recommendations on whether settlements proposed by federal agencies and USAOs should be authorized, and prepare appeal recommendations on adverse judgments in FTCA cases.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• 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.
• 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 possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and have a strong interest in litigation.
Ideal candidates will have:

• At least four years of post-JD litigation experience in federal courts.
• Excellent research and writing skills, as well as experience presenting oral arguments.
• Substantial firsthand experience handling complex litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to handle all phases of discovery, including working with expert witnesses.
• Excellent analytical ability and the capacity to articulate critical issues in a wide variety of cases.
• The ability to work well on individual projects and on team projects.
• A demonstrated record of being able to balance a diverse and constantly changing workload and the ability to set priorities appropriately.

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 .

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

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.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).

DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdf

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 .

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.