Duties

Summary

The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking an experienced attorney to direct investigations and litigate cases. The Branch pursues both criminal and civil enforcement actions related to consumer fraud schemes, prescription drug diversion, hazardous and misbranded products, deceptive trade practices, and data privacy.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Consumer Protection Branch is seeking a Trial Attorney to represent the United States in a broad range of criminal and affirmative civil litigation. Charged with safeguarding Americans' health, safety, economic security, and identity integrity, Trial Attorneys at the Branch develop investigations and pursue significant actions throughout the country. In advancing the Branch's mission, Trial Attorneys work closely with U.S. Attorneys' Offices and federal law enforcement partners. Trial Attorneys engage in all phases of discovery and litigation, including using the grand jury and civil investigative tools, preparing appropriate pleadings, and handling motions and trials before U.S. District Courts. Trial Attorneys also have responsibility for coordinating multi-component and international investigations, cases, and initiatives. In addition, Trial Attorneys represent the United States in direct negotiations and discussions with opposing counsel, often related to complex corporate investigations and litigation matters. Areas of enforcement emphasis for the Branch include: the prescription opioid crisis; fraud schemes affecting older Americans, vulnerable populations, and U.S. service members; adulterated and misbranded food, drugs, tobacco, and medical devices; hazardous consumer products; deceptive trade practices; and data-privacy violations.

In addition, Trial Attorneys review and opine on policy matters and legislative proposals related to public health and safety, and advise U.S. Attorneys' Offices on considered prosecutions under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other federal laws. Trial Attorneys further have the ability to engage with Department leadership and to participate in training offerings and events. For more information visit: https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch .

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• 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.

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.

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 veteran 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 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).

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 .

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. 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
National security

Required Documents

· Cover Letter, highlighting interest and unique qualifications
· Resume showing relevant experience
· Writing Sample (not more than 10 pages in length, and written in the past 3 years)
· DD-214(Member 4 Copy) and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable)

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.