Trial Attorney

Closing Date: 25th June, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
EES is responsible for nationwide civil enforcement of federal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (the Superfund law). EES attorneys pursue enforcement actions that result in significant benefits for public health, from reducing air pollution to cleaning up contaminated lands.

The affirmative nature of EES cases requires attorneys to advance cases through negotiations and all stages of federal court litigation, beginning with the internal deliberations of the government, especially with other federal agencies, and continuing through extensive discovery, including fact and expert depositions, and litigation to judgment. EES attorneys frequently negotiate settlements involving complex and technical injunctive relief and payment of civil penalties, while simultaneously preparing a case for trial. These responsibilities require outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to collaborate with DOJ and agency colleagues to achieve the best outcome for the United States.

For more information about the Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Environmental Enforcement Section, visit the Justice Department's web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd

Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 1 year of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
• At least 1.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.
• Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; excellent written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze a variety of legal issues; initiative; professional judgment; organizational skills; and the ability to manage multiple demands simultaneously and to excel in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
The Section will consider any of the following qualifications, which are desirable, but not required:

• Federal or state court litigation and trial experience, including experience with electronic discovery and document management;
• Experience with multi-party negotiations and mediations;
• Knowledge of the laws enforced by the Environmental Enforcement Section;
• Experience supervising the work of, and delegating responsibility to, professional staff; and
• Skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, including co-counsel and professional staff, the staff of other federal agencies, fact and expert witnesses, opposing counsel, and judicial officials.
• While the following are also desirable, no candidate will be excluded from consideration in the absence of these experiences: Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, and clinical experience.

Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation and/or trial work and a strong academic background. The ideal candidates will have between two and seven years' post-JD experience (including judicial clerkships, if any) and will be able to demonstrate an interest in public service.

Salary:
Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is:

• Washington DC:
• GS-12 ($102,415 - $133,142)
• GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322)
• GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093)
• GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200)
• Denver, CO:
• GS-12 ($99,800 - $129,742)
• GS-13 ($118,675 - $154,280)
• GS-14 ($140,239 - $182,316)
• GS-15 ($164,956 -$197,200)

YOUR RESUME MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement if you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Number of Positions
1 or more vacancies in the following locations: Washington, DC and Denver, CO

Travel:

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