SECTION CHIEF - ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
About the Office:
The Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) is a great place to work. ENRD has been consistently ranked among the top agency sub-components in the annual rankings of Best Places to Work in the Federal Government.
ENRD seeks to attract, retain, and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent in all job categories. The work environment and atmosphere are open, diverse, collegial, and inclusive. ENRD places a high value on diversity and fosters a work environment where people of all backgrounds, physical abilities, sexual orientations and experiences may reach their full potential.
ENRD is the nation's chief environmental litigator, enforcing federal pollution abatement laws to protect the health and environment of the United States and its citizens. ENRD also defends suits challenging environmental and conservation laws, regulations, and activities; represents the United States in all matters concerning the protection, use and development of the Nation's natural resources and public lands; and litigates on behalf of Indian tribes.
For more information about the Environment and Natural Resources Division, visit us at: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/about-division
Job Description:
The Law and Policy Section advises and assists the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) on environmental and policy questions, particularly those that affect multiple sections in the Division. Working with the Office of Legislative Affairs, it coordinates the Division's response to legislative proposals and Congressional requests, prepares for appearances of Division witnesses before Congressional committees, and drafts and analyzes legislative proposals in connection with the Division's work.
The section also assists with coordination of the Division's amicus cases, undertakes other special litigation projects, coordinates the Division's involvement in international legal matters, represents the Division on interagency committees on a variety of issues, and assists the Office of the AAG in developing positions on policy matters related to the work of the Division. For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources Division, visit the Department's web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd
You will serve as Chief of the Law and Policy Section (LPS). This position oversees a staff of approximately two dozen attorneys and legal support personnel who are responsible for advising the AAG on a variety of legal matters concerning environmental and natural resources issues. You will also assist in the development of ENRD's position on federal regulations, legislation, initiatives, and other matters of interest to the ENRD. Duties include but are not limited to:
Serves as a consultant to the AAG and Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAG) with respect to all legal cases and matters that fall within the purview of the Section.
Advises and consults with the AAG and DAAGs, reporting on the status of cases and matters within the Section. Prepares advice with proper regard for timeliness and bases advice on extensive research, pertinent factual and legal analysis, appropriate staff work, recommendations from interested federal agencies, and due regard for considerations of justice as well as the needs and concerns of client agencies and their programs.
Serves as ENRD's Designated Agency Ethics Official, overseeing the Division's ethics program. Serves as the Division's point of contact for professional responsibility, civil international environmental issues, environmental justice issues, Freedom of Information Act requests, Congressional inquiries, citizen suits, pro Bono and other matters.
Provides counsel and advice to attorneys responsible for representing the United States in direct negotiations and discussions with senior officials of states, counties, and cities throughout the United States and lawyers and high-level officials from the private sector.
Serves as a liaison between Department of Justice and decision makers of client agencies. Provides current, relevant information and ample opportunity for client agencies and other appropriate agencies to respond to legal matters affecting them.
Develops and maintains measures to minimize waste, fraud and abuse of office resources and assets consistent with annual performance plans and written guidelines. Initiates corrective action when violations are discovered.
Qualifications:
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 Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must address the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) separately.
The application process used to recruit for this position is TRADITIONAL. Your resume must not exceed seven pages, including an optional cover letter.
Copies of the Office of Personnel Management's "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications" may be obtained via the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf. Please see Application Procedures for specific instructions.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of the Bar (any jurisdiction).
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 postion. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.
YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ): Your responses to the MTQs should be addressed separately, not to exceed two pages per MTQ.
MTQ 1. Demonstrated ability to manage the work of attorneys and support staff including the ability to adjust priorities to meet changing demands, and the ability to provide advice to senior management officials.
MTQ2. Knowledge of laws, policies and procedures relevant to environmental and policy issues.
MTQ3. Demonstrated experience in the management of complex legal issues.
IN ADDITION, YOU MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs), NOT TO EXCEED TEN PAGES. Please provide a separate response to each ECQ.
ECQ1 - LEADING CHANGE. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
ECQ2 - LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
ECQ3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
ECQ4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
ECQ5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Additional information on the Executive Core Qualifications can be found at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp. Please refer to OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Service Qualifications for more detailed information.
The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) of the selectee who is not a current or former career Senior Executive employee (Title V) must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before appointment. In addition, individuals entering the Senior Executive Service for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period. Applicants who have completed the Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application.
Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e., resume, and other documents as applicable) WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.
If you are a current member of the SES, or are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, ECQ responses are not required. Please indicate in your resume that you are a current or former member of the SES. You must, however, submit responses to the MTQs, and submit a copy of the most recent SF-50 documenting your SES appointment.
Applicants who have completed the Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of the certificate as part of the application. SES CDP graduates must also submit responses to the MTQs, but ECQ responses are not required.
Salary:
The salary range for the position is $131,239 - $197,300.
Travel:
Occasional travel is required.
Application Process:
Your application package must be submitted by email, to hr.enrd@usdoj.gov . Please use ENRD-20-061-SES as your subject line.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
A resume that includes work experience and education, including law and law-related degrees.
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)
Current federal employees must submit a recent copy of your SF-50.
Other supporting documentation as required.
Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.
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, July 22, 2020
Relocation Expenses:
Relocation expenses will no be authorized.
Number of Positions:
1
Updated July 8, 2020
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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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