Wednesday, May 05, 2021

Trial Attorney-Consumer Protection Branch

 Civil Division (CIV)

Consumer Protection Branch
Attorney
450 5th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20530
United States
DE-11106696-21-CM
About the Office: 

The Consumer Protection Branch (CPB) enforces federal consumer protection laws throughout the United States. CPB brings both criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions in matters of national importance related to consumers' health, safety, economic security, and identity integrity. The Branch's litigation regularly involves issues that attract congressional and media interest. CPB works closely with U.S. Attorneys' Offices, the Criminal Division, and federal law enforcement agencies. CPB also works extensively with the Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission, and Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPB Trial Attorneys have the opportunity to handle all aspects of the Branch's unique and varied practice.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Job Description: 

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.

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.

Salary: 
$144,128.00 to $172,500.00 per year for GS-15
Travel: 
You may be expected to travel for this position.
Application Process: 

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below or current OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment). The Application Package must be received by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date. A complete application package must include:
1. Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience). Address the cover letter to Vincent Shuler, Assistant Director of Consumer Protection Branch.
2. Résumé - Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
3. Writing Sample (not more than 10 pages in length, and must be written in the past 3 years).
4. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.

Applicants must submit their materials by email (in a single PDF file, if possible) to: Consumer.Protection@usdoj.gov
On the subject line, please put "CPB-Trial Attorney Application."

Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
Mr. Vincent Shuler
U.S. Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Branch
450 5th St., NW, Ste. 6400
Washington, D.C. 20530

No telephone calls, please.

Applications must be postmarked by no later than the closing date of this advertisement (applications submitted by e-mail must be received by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time on the closing date of this advertisement).

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Relocation Expenses: 
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.
Number of Positions: 
1
Updated May 5, 2021

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Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor.  The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department 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 of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  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.  Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans:  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). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his  or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

 

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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

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