Assistant United States Attorney (Civil Division)

Civil Division
Attorney
Portland, OR 97219
United States
About the Office: 

If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you! With a diverse and talented workforce of over 100,000 men and women, Justice leads the Nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. You can be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty, and the property of citizens. Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. 

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit www.justice.gov/careers.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis.

The United States Attorney's Office is the chief federal law enforcement agency in Oregon and is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Oregon. This includes criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect monetary judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The District serves the entire State of Oregon, with the District's headquarters located in Portland and two branch offices located in Eugene and Medford. The state has a population of almost 3.5 million people, almost half of whom live in the tri-county Portland metropolitan area. Please visit: www.justice.gov/usao-or to learn more.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified men and women from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities. As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

 

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Job Description: 

This position is located in the Civil Division. Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) located in the Civil Division of our Portland offices will be responsible for representing the United States and its departments, agencies, and employees in civil actions brought against the United States at both the trial and appellate levels. The Civil Division's defensive cases include suits alleging negligence under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), including medical malpractice; allegations of unlawful discrimination in federal employment; challenges to agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA); suits seeking release of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act; the defense of government officials sued in their individual capacities for constitutional violations (Bivens actions); responses to prisoner habeas petitions; and motions to quash subpoenas that fail to comply with applicable federal regulations. The Civil Division also handles some affirmative civil rights matters in which it seeks enforcement of statutes that prohibit discrimination in areas such as housing, education, or employment.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Qualifications: 

Required QualificationsApplicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1 year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications: Although a Civil AUSA may receive assignments in any of the above subject-matter areas, the selected AUSA should expect to primarily handle defensive cases involving medical malpractice, other torts, and employment discrimination. AUSAs should be capable of managing numerous ongoing matters; juggling court appearances, depositions and deadlines for discovery and pleadings in a collegial, supportive environment. Applicants should have experience appearing in court, arbitrations, and/or depositions. Applicant should possess superior research and writing abilities, with the ability to prepare high-quality, persuasive pleadings.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement

Salary: 
$79,654 to $183,400 which includes 24.98% locality pay
Travel: 
Travel: 3 to 6 nights of travel may be required per year
Application Process: 

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

To be considered for a position, applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/24/2023. Applications will only be accepted through the USAJobs website at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/725697900

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)
  3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://secure.login.gov/, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact District of Oregon at (213) 503-2083 or email at Ann.Quinn@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying. 

  • You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
    • In your cover letter or resume, please describe the following:
    • Required - Cover letter.
    • Required - Writing sample.
    • Required - Your resume showing relevant experience, dates of employment (include day/month/year) and indicating full time or part time, law school graduation date (month/year) and bar admission date (month/year).
    • Required - Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).
    • The number of cases you handled independently.
      • Required, if applicable - To get Veterans' Preference, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire and you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. See the "How you will be Evaluated" section for details regarding what is appropriate Veterans' Preference documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.
      • Required, if applicable -A recent copy of an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), showing title, series, grade, and current salary; and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
      • Required - Legal writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages. The writing sample selected should be the applicant's exclusive work product and maybe an excerpt of a longer brief.
      • The number of trials or arbitrations and hearings.
      • The number of depositions.

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.

 

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: 
Friday, June 23, 2023
Relocation Expenses: 
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Number of Positions: 
Two (2) - Additional positions may be filled using this announcement
Updated June 1, 2023

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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 race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit 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 their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

USAO Residency Requirement:  Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.  See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

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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.