Deputy Branch Chief (Litigation Branch)

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The mission of the Litigation Branch is to provide support to attorneys in the Department of Justice (DOJ) components and in the U.S. Attorney's Offices on cases filed in the District of Columbia and cases having a national impact on Bureau programs and policies. The litigation covers a wide variety of issues, such as constitutional challenges, tort claims, and injunctive relief. The Litigation Branch also works with and advises the Assistant Director/General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Directors, Regional Directors, and Wardens, and their management staff on issues related to Bureau litigation. The Litigation Branch is responsible for analyzing all adverse decisions against the Bureau to determine if appeal is warranted; this entails working closely with DOJ appellate attorneys and attorneys in the Solicitor General's Office. The Litigation Branch reviews cases before the Supreme Court and advises attorneys in the Solicitor General's Office of the Bureau's position. Nationwide, the branch reviews and obtains settlement authority for cases and claims above a certain dollar amount. The Litigation Branch also oversees claims filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act and recovers funds owed to the agency pursuant to the Federal Claims Collection Act and the Medical Care Recovery Act. The Deputy Associate General Counsel of the Litigation Branch assists the Associate General Counsel in the management of the Branch. Based on the needs of the Branch, the Deputy Associate General Counsel of the Litigation Branch could, for example, be responsible for supervising other Litigation Branch attorneys and staff, managing the Branch's workflow, and standing in for the Associate General Counsel upon request. The incumbent also would likely develop the incumbent's own areas of subject-matter expertise and perform other functions as needed, including, but not limited to, providing direct litigation support to Assistant U.S. Attorney's and DOJ attorneys and handling a caseload. Like the Associate General Counsel and other Litigation Branch attorneys, the Deputy Associate General Counsel would be responsive to internal and external stakeholders and might be expected to provide training in a variety of subject areas and settings. The Practice areas related to this position are: Correctional Law, Constitutional Law and Administrative Law.

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). Key Requirements: See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov U.S. Citizenship is Required.