Director of Litigation

Duties This position is in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. The incumbent serves as Director of Litigation reporting directly to a Deputy Assistant Attorney General. The incumbent provides executive leadership over, and exercises assigned authority for, the planning, direction, timely execution, and evaluation of ATR's Litigation Program. The incumbent also oversees and manages civil and criminal litigation strategies and tactics across the Division's cases. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Responsible for executive oversight and management of all matters concerning possible violations of antitrust law of major economic significance. Recommends and provides advice regarding investigative plans for civil and criminal matters that should be pursued.Oversees and manages civil and criminal trial and/or hearing strategies with legal staffs and, if necessary, must be prepared to take over any civil or criminal litigation matters in the courtroom and to independently handle arguments of major issues or negotiations with defense counsel. Utilizes extensive expertise to provide subject matter training and guidance to Division managers, attorneys, paralegals, and other staff on civil and criminal litigation principles and procedures.Leads oversight of strategic planning for the implementation of short- and long-term goals and objectives, while independently assessing the feasibility, balance, and support for these objectives. Identifies potential problems and devises various contingency plans to address the problems. Develops organizational plans to provide an operation capable of meeting changing requirements and recommends reorganization as the need becomes evident. Oversees execution of the strategic plan and ensures progress toward identified goals, objectives, and targets.Serves as advisor on both civil and criminal litigation to the DAAG, Litigation, Assistant Attorney General (AAG), Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General (PDAAG), DAAGs, and Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and staff in the Division's litigating sections and offices.In partnership with the civil and criminal enforcement programs, reviews the preparation of memoranda outlining the factual and legal issues involved in civil and criminal matters and the collection of evidence; oversees the selection and examination of witnesses, the preparation of briefs, motions, and other required legal documents for civil and criminal matters; and allocates the litigative resources that will be required for assigned civil and criminal matters and how they are to be utilized.Exercises personnel management responsibilities, which includes technically and administratively supervising and evaluating the work of the Litigation Program through subordinate supervisors, including any deputy directors, Senior Litigation Counsel, and other subordinate staff and making recommendations for promotion, employment and separation.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentPRE-HIRING REQUIREMENT: This is a permanent position in the SES. Unless you are already a member of the SES with career status or are a graduate of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) certified SES Candidate Development Program, your executive qualifications must be approved by OPM before you can be hired. If you are selected, you will be required to prepare your executive core qualification (ECQ) narrative for OPM submission.CITIZENSHIP: You must be a United States Citizen or National.BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You must pass a background investigation.PUBLIC FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (OGE 278): If you are selected for this position, you will be required to file this report upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.SECURITY CLEARANCE: You must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearanceDRUG TESTING: As a condition of appointment to this position, if you are selected, you will be required to pass a drug test. If you fail to take the test or fail the test, you will no longer be considered for the job.PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year SES probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male born after December 31,1959, you must be registered with the Selective Service registration (see Who Needs to Register). Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.EDUCATION: You must possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from an accredited law school. You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications. QualificationsThe applicant must address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) within their resume. Your responses to the ECQs should be addressed/embedded within your resume not to exceed seven (7) pages. Your resume must describe your ECQs and experience, technical qualifications and give a synopsis of your accomplishments. Additionally, your demonstrated leadership ability must be clearly shown in your resume. Do not include a separate ECQ narrative. Lastly, Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed later in this section below must be addressed in a separate document. If you are a current career member of the SES, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have completed an SES Candidate Development Program and have been certified by the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB), you can apply for competitive and/or noncompetitive consideration. For competitive consideration, you must submit a resume and written statements addressing the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, ECQs, and other applicable qualifications. For noncompetitive consideration, you must submit your resume, written statements addressing the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other applicable qualifications. Written statements addressing the ECQs are not necessary for noncompetitive consideration. You must also provide documentation of QRB certification (i.e., SF-50 showing career SES status or OPM-issued SES qualification certificate).MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:The MTQ narrative must not exceed two (2) pages for each MTQ typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font.MTQ 1. Demonstrated litigation experience as (i) the principal or secondary chair in civil and criminal matters, (ii) encompassing both bench and jury trials and (iii) proceedings within federal or international tribunals. MTQ 2. Established expertise in developing and executing civil and criminal litigation training, strategic, or policy objectives. MTQ 3. Proven ability to advocate for program and resource requirements effectively to senior-level stakeholders within and outside the Division and Department.MTQ 4. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead seasoned professionals and provide strategic and technical guidance to staff to develop their skills and produce high-quality and timely work responsive to organizational needs.EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: The five ECQs described below were designed to assess executive-level experiences and potential not technical expertise. They measure whether you have the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions.ECQ 1 - Leading Change: Ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals and establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.ECQ 2.- Leading People: Ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals and provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.ECQ 3 - Results Driven: Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations and make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: Ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: Ability to build coalitions internally and with other federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Additional information on the Executive Core Qualifications can be found at . Please refer to OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Service Qualifications for more detailed information.EducationTo qualify, you must meet the basic educational requirements.A. Law degree (J.D. or LL. B) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.ANDB. Bar Membership: Be active member in good standing of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than J.D., may be subject to additional review.Additional information1. If selected for an initial career appointment to an SES position, the OPM QRB must approve your ECQs prior to appointment. A selection is tentative until we obtain a QRB certification. 2. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, once appointed to the SES position, annually while employed, and upon termination of employment. 3. You must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment before we can hire you to certify the accuracy of your written application and provide the information necessary to determine your suitability for federal employment. 4. If selected for this position, you must complete personnel suitability documents. Your appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of an appropriate background investigation. 5. The ATR provides reasonable accommodations, where appropriate, to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the ATR. The agency considers requests for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis. Questions about the ATR's accommodation policy can be directed to Karen.Jung@usdoj.gov. 6. Your application includes information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 U.S.C. 552a). This information is necessary to determine qualifications for employment, and collection is authorized under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, 3302 and 3361. 7. DIVERSITY STATEMENT: 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. 8. EEO Policy Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. The complete DOJ EEO Statement/Policy is found at: . 9. Reasonable Accommodation: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The U.S. Department of Justice fosters an inclusive and diverse workforce, find our EEO statement online at: . Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Only experience obtained by the 11:59pm EST on the closing date (MM/DD/2024) of this announcement will be considered. Once this announcement closes the following will occur: 1. A review of your resume, ECQs, MTQs, and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. 2. Applicants deemed minimally qualified will be referred to an Executive Resources Board (ERB) to further evaluate applications. 3. The ERB will further evaluate applications to determine the best qualified applicants for referral to the hiring official. 4. Best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring official and may be invited to participate in a structured interview. Interviews may be in a virtual setting or in person at DOJ offices. 5. The selected individual will be further evaluated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as required by law. OPM must review the executive qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) prior to appointment.NOTE: You MUST address all MTQs as required above, but do not need to address the ECQs if you: 1. Are currently serving under a career SES appointment; 2. Are eligible for reinstatement into the SES; or 3. Have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and been certified by Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Proof of Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification must be provided in your application.