Trial Attorney (Cares Act Fraud)

Criminal Division (CRM)
Fraud
Attorney
WASHINGTON, DC 20005
United States
21-CRM-FRD-029
About the Office: 

The Criminal Division is seeking qualified, experienced attorneys for 2-year renewable term, and detail, positions in the Fraud Section's Market Integrity and Major Frauds ("MIMF") Unit located in Washington, DC. For this post, the Fraud Section seeks both: detailees from U.S. Attorneys' Offices and other components of the Department of Justice, who are interested in a two-year detail; and candidates seeking to join the Fraud Section from inside and outside of the Department.

This vacancy posting is for Trial Attorney positions in MIMF to prosecute CARS Act Fraud (CAF). CAF prosecutors are a subset of prosecutors focused upon investigating, prosecuting, and deterring fraud in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) COVID-19 disaster relief programs, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The expected minimum commitment is two years, either as a two-year detail, or a two-year term, subject to renewal.

The MIMF Unit's approximately 45 prosecutors focus on the prosecution of complex securities, commodities, bank, corporate, and investment fraud cases. In carrying out this mission, the MIMF Unit has brought a number of significant prosecutions against corporate executives for securities and accounting fraud, as well as cases involving market manipulation and commodities fraud in the financial services industry. The MIMF Unit also focuses on combating a broader array of financial fraud, including government procurement fraud, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, and consumer fraud, and recently, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster-relief related fraud targeting SBA programs.

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: 

The incumbent will serve as a Trial Attorney in the MIMF Unit prosecuting CAF. As such, the incumbent will have the opportunity to independently direct, conduct, and monitor investigations; prepare for and conduct trials; draft pleadings and other court filings; and argue motions and conduct other hearings.


Generally, as a Trial Attorney in the MIMF Unit prosecuting CAF, the incumbent:

  • Evaluates reports of potential violations of fraud laws from both internal and outside sources, and develops leads for prosecution; determines whether investigation is warranted.
  • In collaboration with unit managers and colleagues, carries out and fosters effective investigations and prosecutions, including developing and advising on strategy, recommending charging decisions, and proposing dispositions with regard to assigned cases.
  • Engages in all phases of investigation and litigation, including, but not limited to, using the grand jury; advising federal law enforcement agents; utilizing evidence collection tools; conducting witness interviews and debriefings; preparing appropriate pleadings and warrants; and negotiating plea agreements.
  • Litigates motions, hearings, trials, and post-conviction proceedings before U.S. District Courts across the country.
  • Partners with Assistant U.S. Attorneys and attorneys in other federal law enforcement agencies in the development, management, and trial of investigations and prosecutions; advises Assistant U.S. Attorneys on questions of law and Departmental policy.
  • Develops expertise in detecting and prosecuting fraud in SBA loan programs, and in SBA loan program rules and regulations; and in bank fraud, wire fraud, wire fraud affecting a financial institution, money laundering, false statements, obstruction, and conspiracy offenses.
  • Advises and consults with the Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Section Chief, and other Section Managers reporting on the status of all cases and matters related to criminal remedies.

Note, if the DOJ remains in a maximum telework status by the start date, the selected candidate will be placed on a telework agreement and be allowed to work remotely. However, once the agency returns to normal operations, the candidate will be required to report onsite to the Fraud Section office building located in Washington, DC.

Qualifications: 

Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications: Your qualifications will be further evaluated based upon the following competencies:

  • Federal prosecutorial experience.
  • Experience with and knowledge of white-collar criminal matters.
  • Federal court experience.
  • Trial experience.
  • Experience conducting investigations of individuals as well as corporations and other business entities.
Salary: 
$144,128.00 to $172,500.00 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM’s Web page at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2021/generalschedule/.
Travel: 
Frequent travel will be required.
Application Process: 

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes the Assessment Questionnaire and the Required Documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on April 1, 2021.

Please submit your application through USAJOBS. The list of required documents can be found in the USAJobs announcement.

  1. If you do not already have an account, please create a USAjobs account before applying Create an Account. You will be able to upload your resume and supporting documents and complete your profile prior to applying.
  2. Once you have an account, apply to the USAjobs vacancy. 

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.

TCS Relocation/TDY Expenses:

Detail selections for this position may be eligible for either a temporary change of station (TCS) relocation or EX-TDY. Upon selection, a cost comparison will be conducted to evaluate which option will be offered if detailee is outside the Washington D.C. area.

If candidate is offered EX-TDY, transportation, lodging and M&IE will be provided in accordance with government regulations, DOJ policy and the governing Memorandum of Understanding between the detailee and Criminal Division.

If a candidate is offered TCS relocation, relocation expenses will be provided in accordance with government regulations, DOJ policy and the governing Memorandum of Understanding between the detailee and Criminal Division.

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: 
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Relocation Expenses: 
See Application Process section.
Number of Positions: 
3
Updated March 18, 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 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.