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Trial Attorney - Natural Resources Section
Department of Justice
Offices, Boards and Divisions
Energy and Natural Resources Division - Natural Resources Section
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Summary
The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.
The Natural Resources Section seeks one or more experienced litigators in Washington DC and Denver, Colorado.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.
The Natural Resources Section seeks one or more experienced litigators in Washington DC and Denver, Colorado.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/19/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 19, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Denver, CO
Washington, DC
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $99,800 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 15
Promotion potential 15
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
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test Yes Security clearance Other Position sensitivity and risk High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number ENRD 26-050-EXC Control number 875768000
This job is open to
Help
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Duties
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The first cut-off date for referral of applicants will be 7/29/2026. The second cut-off date will be on the closing date of 8/19/2026.
Much of our work involve challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Natural Resources Section (NRS) has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing or trial practice or both. On any given day, the Sections attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving:
Because of the diverse nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable having primary or sole responsibility in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including some combination of discovery, working with experts, drafting substantive briefs, engaging in negotiations and mediations, appearing in court to argue motions, and going to trial. The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, often rapidly. Successful candidates will be intellectually curious, driven, and possess the ability to harness technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and talent in problem-solving -- whether in a litigation or settlement context -- are critical. Collegiality is fundamental to our Section. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working collaboratively with other attorneys, learning from Section veterans, and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys. On a day-to-day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, negotiate with opposing counsel, write motions and briefs, handle discovery, take and defend depositions, present oral arguments, and conduct trials. Our attorneys work closely with both attorneys and program staff at our client agencies, as well as with expert witnesses retained to offer opinions in our litigation. In staffing our cases, we strive to create work opportunities for our attorneys that allow them to constantly learn and grow by providing new challenges. We provide new attorneys with robust skills-based and substantive training. We also have exceptionally talented attorneys who are generous with their time to mentor. The group of paralegals and legal assistants we have are valuable resources, offering expert help. Overall, the Section cultivates an atmosphere of respect among colleagues who work together to advocate on behalf of the United States.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:
Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation, trial work and/or appellate work, and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable and knowledge of Fifth Amendment takings, natural resource law, or Indian law is a plus but not a requirement. Applicants must demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.
Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is:
Washington DC:
Denver, CO:
YOUR RESUME MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement if you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
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.
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.
Additional information
Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/. To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214; official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and 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. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at:http://www.benderconsult.com
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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov
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. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. Citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. Citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Departments 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.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicants criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
Please Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available in the Division within 90 days after HR office issues the certificate of eligibles.
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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.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veteran preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veteran preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran preference must include that information in their 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).
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
Help
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes the following:
Your resume MUST include full employment information such as periods of employment with month/year started and ended, title of position(s), part time hours worked, and description of duties. If you have Federal employment, you must include the grade of the position(s).
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
Help
You must apply online through USAJOBS. Click on the APPLY Online button. Follow the prompts to answer a few questions and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
Applicants must submit a current resume (no more than 2 pages), cover letter with brief statement of interest, writing sample, law school transcript, and DD-214 (if applicable).
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
Internet Sites: For more information about the Environment and Natural Resources Division, visit the web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd .
This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet at: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers
Agency contact information
Carmen Browne
Phone (202) 616-3127 Email carmen.browne@usdoj.gov Address Natural Resources Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 submit a complete Application Package which includes the following:
Your resume MUST include full employment information such as periods of employment with month/year started and ended, title of position(s), part time hours worked, and description of duties. If you have Federal employment, you must include the grade of the position(s).
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
Help
You must apply online through USAJOBS. Click on the APPLY Online button. Follow the prompts to answer a few questions and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
Applicants must submit a current resume (no more than 2 pages), cover letter with brief statement of interest, writing sample, law school transcript, and DD-214 (if applicable).
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
Internet Sites: For more information about the Environment and Natural Resources Division, visit the web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd .
This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet at: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
Carmen Browne
Phone (202) 616-3127 Email carmen.browne@usdoj.gov Address Natural Resources Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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
Offices, Boards and Divisions
The Energy and Natural Resources Division seeks to attract, retain, and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent from all walks of life to reflect the people it serves by drawing its workforce from all segments of society and from across the United States. We offer varied, challenging, and important work.
Our D.C. office is conveniently located adjacent to the NoMA-Gallaudet University (Red Line) Metro Station, a short walk from Union Station. ENRDs building was constructed in 2019; offices and shared spaces in the building are clean, well-equipped, and packed with amenities. A wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, stores, entertainment venues, and other attractions are easily accessible to employees in the neighborhood. The NoMA neighborhood is one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in DC!
Our Denver office is located in Downtown Denver. For your convenience, public transportation is located right outside the door, and it is a short walk to Union Station.
Agency contact information
Carmen Browne
Phone (202) 616-3127 Email carmen.browne@usdoj.gov Address Natural Resources Section
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what its like to work at Offices, Boards and Divisions, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
https://www.justice.gov/enrd/about-division
Summary
The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.
The Natural Resources Section seeks one or more experienced litigators in Washington DC and Denver, Colorado.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/19/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 19, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Denver, CO
Washington, DC
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $99,800 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 15
Promotion potential 15
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
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test Yes Security clearance Other Position sensitivity and risk High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number ENRD 26-050-EXC Control number 875768000
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