Summary
The Torts Branch is seeking a Supervisory Trial Attorney (Assistant Director) for its Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Section. The FTCA Section handles a wide variety of complex, and often controversial, suits filed against the United States under the FTCA. These suits arise from, among other conduct, the provision of medical care at federal facilities or community health centers, federal regulatory activities, law enforcement and immigration enforcement, and management of federal lands.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens
Duties
The FTCA Section provides appeal recommendations on adverse FTCA judgments, including cases handled by USAOs. The Section also reviews draft legislation that may have an impact on the public fisc. It is responsible for the adjustment and settlement of administrative claims arising out of the conduct of employees of the Department of Justice (DOJ), and for approving administrative settlements of claims arising out of the activities of all other federal agencies that are in excess of the settlement authority delegated to those agencies. Finally, the FTCA Section provides recommendations to the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division concerning requests for authority to consummate all settlements of tort claims that require the approval of the Assistant Attorney General or Associate General. The Assistant Director oversees attorneys assigned to these tasks.
This is a supervisory position. The Assistant Director is responsible for handling difficult and complex lawsuits and for supervising FTCA Section attorneys. Counsel reviews written work products, approves of discovery plans, and oversees the development of litigation and trial strategy. The Assistant Director also works in conjunction with USAOs and federal agency counsel, analyzes factual and legal issues, and assists in negotiating settlements of assigned cases being handled by the FTCA Section. Because the Section has expertise in the evaluation and settlement of catastrophic injury cases, the Assistant Director may participate in settlement negotiations of claims handled by other federal agencies or in cases handled by USAOs. The Assistant Director provides advice and instructions to Assistant U.S. Attorneys on questions of law and Departmental policy.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
May require completion of a fourteen month trial period, subject to extension, pending the completion and adjudication of your background check.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
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.
Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two-year trial period.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. 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 a bar in good standing. Applicants should also have at least four years of post-JD litigation experience in federal courts and experience handling complex litigation.
Ideal candidates will have:
At least four years of post-JD litigation experience in federal courts and experience handling complex litigation.
Demonstrated experience leading litigation teams or otherwise supervising litigation
Substantial trial experience
Demonstrated ability to handle all phases of discovery
Excellent analytical ability and the capacity to articulate issues in a wide variety of cases.
Excellent editorial skills
A demonstrated record of being able to balance a diverse and constantly changing workload and the ability to set priorities appropriately
A strong background in the defense of federal torts
Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and have an interest in litigation.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications.
Your application will be evaluated by a reviewing panel. The hiring office will schedule the interview(s) directly with the recommended candidates.
Required Documents
Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience) - Address the cover letter to James G. Touhey, Jr., Director.
Resume - Listing the month and year(s) of relevant experience, applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length).
If you are claiming veteran's preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 pm, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement.
A complete application package must include:
Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience) - Address the cover letter to James G. Touhey, Jr., Director.
Resume - Listing the month and year(s) of relevant experience, applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length).
If you are claiming veteran's preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
Applicants are highly encouraged to submit their applications via email to FTCA.Section@usdoj.gov.
On the subject line, please put "FTCA Section Assistant Director Application."
While email is the preferred method of submission, applications may also be submitted via USPS to:
U.S. Department of Justice,
Civil Division, Torts Branch (FTCA Section)
P. O. Box 888 Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044
Attn: James G. Touhey, Jr., Director
Applications submitted by email must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight time on the closing date listed in this announcement. Applications submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than the closing date listed on this announcement.
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.
Agency contact information
Sherly Voltaire
Email
sherly.voltaire@usdoj.gov
Address
Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once your application package is submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming that your submission was successful. All qualified applicants will be forwarded to the hiring official(s) for review and you will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.