The Civil Rights Division (Division) of the Department of Justice, created by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division is primarily responsible for enforcing federal statutes and executive orders that prohibit, among other things, unlawful discrimination in education, employment, housing, police service, public accommodations and facilities, voting, and federally funded and conducted programs. The Division also has jurisdiction to enforce constitutional prohibitions on certain conduct by law enforcement agencies and public residential institutions, such as health care and correctional facilities.
The Special Litigation Section (SPL or Section) is one of several Sections in the Civil Rights Division. SPL is seeking one or more experienced attorneys for the position of Deputy Chief. The attorney selected for this position will be dedicated to the Section's work under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 addressing systemic violations of the Constitution and other federal law by police and other law enforcement agencies.
Division offices are near metro transportation systems or other public transportation, and are conveniently accessible to restaurants, museums and other D.C. area attractions. Most jobs in the Division offer alternative work schedules and other family friendly opportunities are available. Most employees who commute by public transportation are provided transit subsidy benefits.
Additional positions may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
The Attorney selected for this position will be responsible for duties such as, but not limited to: (1) working with the Section Chief and management team to develop and establish strategies and priorities for SPL's work addressing the conduct of law enforcement agencies; (2) leading the practice group, including attorneys and staff, charged with implementing the strategies to address the conduct of law enforcement agencies; (3) working collaboratively with other DOJ components and federal agencies on matters relating to the conduct of law enforcement agencies; (4) supervising sensitive and/or complex investigations, litigation, and negotiations relating to SPL's work addressing the conduct of law enforcement agencies; (5) reviewing, editing, and approving extensive written work product; (6) supervising and mentoring attorneys and other Section staff addressing the conduct of law enforcement agencies; (7) working with the Section Chief and management team to develop and establish strategies and priorities for SPL's work addressing the conduct of law enforcement agencies; (8) coordinating with other federal agencies to develop strategies for effective and efficient information sharing; (9) supervising and conducting outreach activities; and (10) undertaking various administrative duties, including evaluating attorneys and staff and performing non-litigating assignments and special projects assigned by the Chief or other officials in the Division. The incumbent will be responsible for supervising: implementation of practice area priorities; screening and development of new matters; comprehensive investigations involving in-person visits, witness interviews, experts, data analysis, and preparation of written recommendations and legal analyses; litigation involving all aspects of the Section's work addressing the conduct of law enforcement agencies; the negotiation, monitoring, and enforcement of settlement agreements; and attorney and staff development. Litigation associated with the Section's investigations is typically complex, involving extensive discovery, pretrial motions practice, preliminary injunction hearings, trials, and post judgment enforcement and contempt proceedings.
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess a minimum of four (4) years of post-professional law degree experience. Applicants also must have strong demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the work of the section relating to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 or substantively similar laws, rules, and regulations; ability to effectively supervise all aspects of difficult cases and materials, and the ability to delegate responsibility to staff; ability to manage a significant docket, handle several difficult or complex cases and matters at the same time, and ensure that applicable deadlines are met; editing, writing and oral advocacy skills; community outreach skills; outstanding skill and experience leading and working collaboratively and productively with others; mentoring skills; negotiation skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references.
Preferred Qualifications:
Given the nature and volume of this work, the Section generally seeks candidates with significant litigation experience. Applicants with one or more of the following qualifications are preferred but not required: (1) civil or criminal trial experience; (2) extensive federal civil or criminal litigation experience; (3) experience with complex investigations; (4) extensive knowledge of police practices and experience enforcing laws related to police conduct; (5) extensive negotiation skills; (6) extensive skill and experience identifying, developing, and implementing outreach efforts or public presentations; (7) ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and balance competing priorities; and (8) extensive experience leading and developing high performing teams to achieve strategic objectives. Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, including individuals from disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé
3. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
4. Writing sample of no more than ten pages (a brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product)
5. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable
6. Sch A documentation, if applicable
To apply for this position, see page at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/407996100.