Deputy Chief Environmental Defense Section

Summary

The Energy and Natural Resources Division is a core litigating component of the Department of Justice. We uphold the nations laws governing natural resources, public lands, and Tribal rights. These laws are crucial to energy development, mining, timber production, fish and wildlife, and resource conservation. We also defend and enforce federal environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and laws governing toxic substances and hazardous waste.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

The Energy and Natural Resources Division is a core litigating component of the Department of Justice. We uphold the nations laws governing natural resources, public lands, and Tribal rights. These laws are crucial to energy development, mining, timber production, fish and wildlife, and resource conservation. We also defend and enforce federal environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and laws governing toxic substances and hazardous waste.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

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Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Washington, DC

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-Situational Telework Only Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $151,661 - $228,000 per year Pay scale & grade

ES 00

Promotion potential 00

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 0905 Attorney

Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Senior Executive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test Yes Security clearance Sensitive Compartmented Information Position sensitivity and risk Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness
• National security

Financial disclosure required Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 26-ERD-13069512-SES Control number 886580400

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Managements hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens, Senior Executive Service, and those Federal Employees in an Excepted or Competitive Service Status.

Duties

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The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) handles a very diverse docket of cases arising in both federal district courts and the courts of appeals under the nations major pollution-control statutes, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, as well as statutes governing pesticides, drinking water, toxic substances, and the management and cleanup of hazardous wastes. EDS cases are defensive in nature, which can range, for example, from challenges to EPA and other federal agency regulations, permit decisions and policies, to cases seeking to compel allegedly overdue agency actions, to cases brought against federal agencies seeking contribution to hazardous waste cleanups. EDS sometimes works with the enforcement section on matters involving both defensive and offensive claims. Recent noteworthy examples of EDS work include defense of EPA regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and stationary sources, as well as regulations issued by EPA and the Corps of Engineers defining the scope of "waters of the United States" subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act.

The Environmental Defense Section (EDS) plays a vital and unique role in defending the federal governments environmental regulatory agenda being implemented by EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, including rules and permits issued under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other pollution control statutes. With approximately 60 lawyers and 20 legal support staff; EDS is the third-largest litigating section in ENRD.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Participates fully with the Section Chief in advising the Deputy Attorney General, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, and the Assistant Attorney General as appropriate on all matters related to the Energy and Natural Resources program.
• Serves as the primary leader of the staff for day-to-day operations.
• Shares the full scope of duties with the Section Chief overseeing a nationwide network of attorneys embedded within U.S. Attorneys Offices (USAOs).
• Builds and leads integrated partnerships with federal prosecutors and state officials, ensuring the Energy and Natural Resources Divisions mission is carried out effectively in every district and state.
• Accountable for strategic direction, operational oversight, and national coordination of the Program, ensuring high-quality enforcement, litigation support, and cross district collaboration.
• Manages the Sections fiscal resources and assures the effectiveness of internal management controls.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Veterans preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
• You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed.
• You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
• You may be required to travel up to 25% of the time.
• 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.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of their demonstrated leadership ability by addressing the the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not to exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided)

Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position.

We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Deputy Chief Environmental Defense Section. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

ECQ1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

ECQ5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to state goals from superiors.

For this position, the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) have been established and should be addressed within the resume application.

MTQ 1: Demonstrated civil litigation experience in federal courts handling complex cases involving federal agency actions.

MTQ 2: Demonstrated experience handling complex statutory, administrative, and policy issues arising under federal laws and regulations.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing in at least one state, one U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes.

Additional information

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: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1394116/download.

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: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy.

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

• Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number may be requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.
• Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
• Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.
• False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
• Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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 benefits

Eligibility 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 evaluated

You 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 (10/19/2026) of this announcement will be considered.

Once this announcement closes the following will occur:

• A review of your resume, clear evidence of the 5 ECQs and MTQs, and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist.
• Applicants deemed minimally qualified will be referred to an Executive Resources Board (ERB) to further evaluate applications.
• The ERB will further evaluate applications to determine the best qualified applicants for referral to the hiring official.
• 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.
• The selectee will receive a tentative offer from the agency; however, before an agency can appoint a new Senior Executive Service member, the selected individual will be subject to further evaluation through a Structured Interview by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) 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:

• Are currently serving under a career SES appointment;
• Are eligible for reinstatement into the SES; or
• 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.

Benefits

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 benefits

Eligibility 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.

Required documents

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:

• Complete resume that addresses the MTQs and ECQs. Your resume must not exceed (2) pages.
• Recent SF-50 that shows official title, salary, grade level, and status (for current or former federal employees)
• Recent performance appraisal (for current or former federal employees)
• Certification of OPM QRB approval (for graduates of SES Candidate Development Programs)
• Education transcripts
• Proof of active bar membership
• Other supporting documentation as required

How to Apply

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To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 10/19/2026 may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status 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.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.

Agency contact information

Christina Hanson

Phone 202-425-2174 Email christina.hanson@usdoj.gov Address Energy and Natural Resources Division

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

US

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:

• Complete resume that addresses the MTQs and ECQs. Your resume must not exceed (2) pages.
• Recent SF-50 that shows official title, salary, grade level, and status (for current or former federal employees)
• Recent performance appraisal (for current or former federal employees)
• Certification of OPM QRB approval (for graduates of SES Candidate Development Programs)
• Education transcripts
• Proof of active bar membership
• Other supporting documentation as required

How to Apply

Help

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 10/19/2026 may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status 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.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

Christina Hanson

Phone 202-425-2174 Email christina.hanson@usdoj.gov Address Energy and Natural Resources Division

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

US

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request