Trial Attorney (Bivens)

As an Constitutional Torts/Bivens Section Trial Attorney you would:

• Aid preparation for and conduct of hearings, settlement negotiations, and trials of cases. Prepares memoranda such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents on the basis of factual and legal research.
• Review and analyze facts and assists development of evidence during the preparation of cases.
• Receive instruction from the Assistant Director, Deputy Director, and Director as to the policy of the Department in related litigation. Applies the applicable legal principles to a given statement of facts; examines witnesses; consults with more senior attorneys in planning trial strategy for their cases.
• Work with opposing counsel in the formulation of settlements in consultation with more senior attorneys in the office.
• Discuss legal and policy questions related to statutes administered by the Section with more senior attorneys.
• Report on the status of cases and matters related to legal issues within the assigned area of litigation with the Assistant Director, Deputy Director, and Director, as appropriate.
• Work to establish personal contacts; works closely with officials and employees of the Division on litigation and policy-related matters.
• May assist with responses to inquiries from the White House, Congress, federal departments and agencies, state and local authorities, and private individuals on matters within the scope of assigned statutory responsibilities.
• As requested, performs special legal and administrative projects requiring legal experience and sound judgment.
• This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing.
• All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• May be required 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.
• May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)

Qualifications:
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, 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.

Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience.

• To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience
• To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants should be outstanding writers, have strong interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and have an interest in litigation. Experience with federal court motions practice is preferred. The ideal candidate would be interested in developing expertise in all and have experience in at least one of the following areas: dealing with individual clients; asserting personal defenses by way of a dispositive motion; handling discovery; or preparing cases for trial. Applicants should enjoy working independently and as part of a team, feel comfortable in varied federal courtroom settings, and enjoy occasional travel. Applicants must exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with clients, staff, attorney supervisors, and Department officials.

Trial Period Statement:As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will 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 trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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://www.Ed.Gov/about/initiatives/international-Affairs/recognition-Of-Foreign-Qualifications

All Documentation Must Be in English or Include an English Translation.

Additional Information:
The Division Plans to Onboard New Attorneys by September 6, 2026, with Recruitment Incentives Contingent upon The Availability of Funding. Because the Onboarding Process Can Be Lengthy and Funding Is Limited, Applicants Are Strongly Encouraged to Submit Their Completed Application as Soon as Possible for Consideration.

Applicants Approved for A Signing Bonus Must Sign a Service Agreement Prior to Onboarding, Committing to A Service Period of Two Years or Longer, Depending on The Candidate's Experience.

Applicants Who Are Currently Employed by The Federal Government Are Not Eligible for A Recruitment Incentive.

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.Pdffor a Copy of Sf 15, Which Lists the Types of 10-Point Preferences and The Required Supporting Document(s).

Doj Eeo Statement/policy: U.S. Department of Justice Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Issued December 31, 2025 (https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline)

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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

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