Closing Date: 29th September, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and Enforcement is the principal supervisory and managerial assistant to the Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and Enforcement. The Deputy assists in the management of a staff of trial attorneys and an administrative assistant. The Deputy oversees high-profile and complex litigation matters involving Departmental priorities, enforcement matters, and participation in proceedings before independent agencies.

Duties:
As a Deputy Assistant General Counsel, you will:

Supervise the work performed by attorneys and other staff in the Ofﬁce on complex and high-profile litigation and enforcement matters, including by directing courses of action, acting on recommendations, furnishing advice and assistance, approving or overruling proposed actions, and exercising other appropriate supervisory functions.
Assist the Assistant General Counsel with the overall strategic leadership of the Office, including by refining the vision for the Office and rolling out new initiatives. For example, the Deputy plays a leading role in developing the Office's enforcement initiatives and in working with the Operating Administrations (“OAs”) to set expectations about the roles of the Office and the OAs in litigation.
Aid in the supervision of all aspects of work performed by staff by preparing performance appraisals and updating performance plans for attorneys and other staff in the Office, identifying needs for skill development and training opportunities that will meet those needs, and assisting with the hiring of new attorneys.
Assist in ensuring that the Office renders effective legal advice and effective participation in proceedings raising major transportation issues with respect to programs of the Department and the Administration, and that the Office effectively works with the OAs and Department leadership on enforcement matters.
Perform legal research and analysis, conducts conferences and consultations, and prepare memoranda, briefs, motions, regulatory filings, and letters to the Department of Justice expressing the Department of Transportation's views and legal analysis relating to litigated matters involving DOT, and regulatory ﬁlings. Maintain continuing liaison with the Department of Justice, including the Ofﬁce of the Solicitor General, with other executive branch departments, with ofﬁces within the Department of Transportation and with others affected by or with an interest in litigation concerning the Department.

The ideal candidate will have extensive litigation experience and will be familiar with DOT's programs, its governing statutes and regulations, and the legal doctrines that are frequently invoked in our litigation. The candidate will be able to exercise sound, independent judgment and will be a self-starter who identifies issues and formulates solutions without awaiting instruction. The candidate will have the ability to think strategically and formulate a vision. The candidate will thrive in a fast-paced work environment, will have excellent written and oral communication skills, and will be committed to aggressively pursuing the goals and policies of the President and the Secretary.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
This is an Excepted Service position.
Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

Conditions of Employment:

Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Background Investigation: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
Trial Period: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period.
Ethics/Conflict of Interest Statement: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263.
Government Travel Card: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.

Qualifications:
To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

Grade 15 - you must have at least one year of experience equal to or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or have completed a structured, multi-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge equivalent.
Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
Administrative Law - Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:
Mandatory Education Requirements:
In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Additional Information:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 2-year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-tit