If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career with access to a generous benefits package, consider the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP or Program) as your employer of choice.
The USTP is a litigating component of the Department of Justice with responsibility for overseeing nearly all bankruptcy cases filed in the United States-from chapters 7, 12, and 13 consumer cases to major chapter 11 business reorganizations. The Program’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders – debtors, creditors, and the public. USTP employees headquartered in Washington, DC, and in 93 field office locations across the country handle a wide range of administrative, regulatory, and enforcement matters. Of particular importance are the Program’s efforts to address fraud and abuse by debtors, creditors, and others in the bankruptcy system by taking both formal and informal civil enforcement actions and making criminal referrals to U.S. Attorneys as appropriate.
The USTP places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates, including candidates from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, women, LGBT individuals, veterans, and individuals 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.
Incumbent will serve as a Trial Attorney in a field/regional office within the United States Trustee Program (USTP), with the responsibility for assisting in supervising the administration of cases and trustees in cases filed under chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. The incumbent will be required to review cases for bankruptcy fraud and abuse (both civil and criminal); oversee business reorganization filings, draft motions, pleadings, and briefs; and will be primarily responsible for the preparation, presentation, and litigation of cases arising under the Bankruptcy Code. The following are duties the incumbent can expect to perform at the full performance level:
• Prepares memoranda of fact and law and recommends whether prosecution should be undertaken. If prosecution is authorized, initiates the filing of papers with the appropriate court, prepares and tries the case, or prepares the case for trial by another attorney.
• Provides advice and assistance as necessary which may include active participation in the presentation of a case, preparing witnesses, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and consulting with other trial attorney’s with respect to the line of argument.
• Recommends issues for appeal, and prepares appellate pleadings. Considers the effect of the decision as a precedent if allowed to stand, the weight of the evidence, the need for consistent application of the law in all jurisdictions, the amount of money involved, the cost of litigation, and other considerations bearing on the advisability of appeal.
• Reviews pleadings filed by trustees which reflect issues of case administration, including sales, abandonment, employment or fees of professionals, and objections to claims of exemption.
• Implements civil enforcement strategies to combat fraud and abuse in the bankruptcy system and makes referrals to federal government and state agencies regarding criminal violations of bankruptcy laws.
• Devises appropriate legal strategies for seeking remedies under 11 U.S.C. §§ 110, 329, 707(a) and (b), 727, as well as provisions relating to debtor audits, creditor abuse, and other bankruptcy statutes.
Interested parties must possess a Juris Doctorate degree and be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction).
To qualify at the GS-14, applicants must have at least four (4) years post Juris Doctorate (J.D.) professional legal experience interpreting, applying and advocating on behalf of clients the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and related laws, rules, and regulations that arise in bankruptcy cases. At least two years of the required professional legal experience above must be at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications listed above, it is preferred that the applicant has two or more years of experience in at least two of the following areas: litigation, appellate, business and/or financial services.
You must apply through the USA Staffing on-line job application system at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/418237700, complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 to receive consideration.
* 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.
* Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
* It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
* To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, 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.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional):
• Your resume may be submitted in any format but must include your first and last name, current address, current email address, current phone number, current job title, duties, and accomplishments (if current federal employee, you must include your current pay plan, series, and grade).
• If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If you are a Federal Civil Service employee, your resume must include your job title, pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. Human Resource Specialist, GS-0201-09) for all federal positions held. If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
2. Most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, if you are a current or former federal employee.
3. Current bar certification.
4. Veteran preference documentation, if applicable.
5. Transcript, NOTE: A copy of your law degree transcript(s), is REQUIRED at the time of application.
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.