Chief Environmental Defense Section

The Energy and Natural Resources Division is a core litigating component of the Department of Justice. We uphold the nation's laws governing natural resources, public lands, and Tribal rights. These laws are crucial to energy development, mining, timber production, fish and wildlife, and resource conservation. We also defend and enforce federal environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and laws governing toxic substances and hazardous waste.

Major duties

The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) handles a very diverse docket of cases arising in both federal district courts and the courts of appeals under the nation's major pollution-control statutes, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, as well as statutes governing pesticides, drinking water, toxic substances, and the management and cleanup of hazardous wastes. EDS cases are defensive in nature, which can range, for example, from challenges to EPA and other federal agency regulations, permit decisions and policies, to cases seeking to compel allegedly overdue agency actions, to cases brought against federal agencies seeking contribution to hazardous waste cleanups. EDS sometimes works with the enforcement section on matters involving both defensive and offensive claims. Recent noteworthy examples of EDS' work include defense of EPA regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and stationary sources, as well as regulations issued by EPA and the Corps of Engineers defining the scope of "waters of the United States" subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) plays a vital and unique role in defending the federal government's environmental regulatory agenda being implemented by EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, including rules and permits issued under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other pollution control statutes. With approximately 60 lawyers and 20 legal support staff; EDS is the third-largest litigating section in ENRD. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Advises the Assistant Attorney General, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and the Deputy Assistant Attorney General on legal and policy questions relating to statutes under which the Section litigates. Advises and directs Assistant Section Chiefs and trial attorneys in the preparation of cases, frequently determining theories of defense and the preparation of memoranda of law on complex cases in which there is little to no prior precedents or guidelines to reference. Builds and leads integrated partnerships with federal prosecutors and state officials, ensuring the Energy and Natural Resources Division's mission is carried out effectively in every district and state. Oversees the most important and difficult cases and matters, which may establish precedent for related cases, involve substantial sums of money, or impact a major point of law which could affect important governmental interests that are highly visible in the media and public purview. Accountable for strategic direction, operational oversight, and national coordination of the Program, ensuring high-quality enforcement, litigation support, and cross district collaboration. Develops and directs the Section's training and policy issues in connection with all matters in the areas of environmental and energy litigation. Directs the Deputy Chief in broad general terms of guidance and process with managing the Section's fiscal resources and assuring the effectiveness of internal management controls. Assures that effective controls are developed and maintained to prevent fraud, waste, and mismanagement of Section resources.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of their demonstrated leadership ability by addressing the the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not to exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided) **Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position. We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Chief Environmental Defense Section. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess. ECQ1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. ECQ5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to state goals from superiors. For this position, the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) have been established and should be addressed within the resume application. MTQ 1: Demonstrated civil litigation experience in federal courts handling complex cases involving federal agency actions. MTQ 2: Demonstrated experience handling complex statutory, administrative, and policy issues arising under federal laws and regulations.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing in at least one state, one U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment: You must be a United States Citizen or National. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position. You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed. You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance. You may be required to travel up to 25% of the time. You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.