| Location | DC |
| Salary | $85,447–$197,200 Per Year |
Summary
The Civil Division is the largest litigating component of the Department of Justice, representing the interests of the United States in some of the nations most significant civil litigation matters. Our teams handle cases involving constitutional law, national security, immigration, government programs, civil fraud, and other matters of critical public importance.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
The Civil Division is the largest litigating component of the Department of Justice, representing the interests of the United States in some of the nations most significant civil litigation matters. Our teams handle cases involving constitutional law, national security, immigration, government programs, civil fraud, and other matters of critical public importance.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
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Accepting applications
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Birmingham, AL
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Miami, FL
Wichita, KS
Location Negotiable After Selection
Kansas City, MO
Raleigh, NC
Buffalo, NY
Cleveland, OH
Charleston, SC
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $85,447 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 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 Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Multiple
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 Top Secret Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
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 AT-13016056-26-BLC Control number 883153300
This job is open to
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens
Duties
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The Civil Division is seeking talented attorneys to join all of its sections, with opportunities of particular interest in the Federal Programs Branch, the Office of Immigration Litigation, the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch, and the Fraud Section, as well as time-limited appointments in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Program. The Division strongly prefers to hire attorneys for positions in its Washington, D.C., location, as well as in New York City for its International Trade Field Office. However, the Division will consider exceptionally well-qualified candidates for positions outside of Washington, D.C., on a limited basis.
In the application questionnaire, applicants may indicate the offices for which they would like to be considered.
Federal Programs Branch (FPB): Attorneys in the FPB are at the center of some of the Nations most consequential and high-profile litigation. Across a broad range of practice areas, Branch attorneys tackle complex legal challenges with significant national impact, managing all phases of district court litigation, including discovery, legal research and analysis, briefing, motion practice, and trials. Attorneys regularly engage with client agencies, DOJ leadership, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders while working independently and as part of teams to defend the interests of the United States.
Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation (EAL): The EAL protects the interests of the United States through affirmative litigation and enforcement actions. Attorneys in the Affirmative Litigation Section represent the United States in landmark litigation against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with federal law and policy. The Section challenges unlawful state and local actions, files statements of interest and amicus briefs, and advocates for nationwide compliance with the Constitution and federal law.
Civil Fraud Section: The Fraud section investigates and litigates some of the Civil Divisions most significant cases and leads the Departments False Claims Act enforcement efforts. The Section handles major and multi-jurisdictional cases involving tens of millions of dollars, complex and novel legal questions, and significant enforcement policy matters. It coordinates civil fraud investigations across the Department, promoting consistency in enforcement policies and legal positions, and providing litigation resources, training, and supplemental staffing to U.S. Attorneys Offices. The Section also manages agency relationships, leads the Departments health care data analytics program and other data initiatives, and houses the Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to combat fraud and abuse involving seniors.
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): The RECA section provides compensation to individuals who developed certain serious illnesses following exposure to radiation from the U.S. nuclear weapons program, as well as to eligible survivors. Reauthorized in 2025, RECA is a unique federal program designed to provide compensation through a non-adversarial process rather than traditional litigation. Attorneys working on RECA matters help implement this important program and determine whether claims satisfy statutory eligibility requirements.
Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL): Attorneys in OIL are shaping the future of immigration law through some of the Nations most consequential immigration litigation, representing the United States before federal district courts and the United States Courts of Appeals nationwide. OIL attorneys handle complex matters involving the immigration and nationality laws, including appellate litigation, detention, removal, constitutional claims, and other significant civil actions. They work closely with federal client agencies, United States Attorneys Offices, and Department of Justice components on cases with nationwide implications, playing a critical role in advancing immigration law and representing the interests of the United States.
While the Civil Division has particular hiring needs in the sections identified above, the Division welcomes applications from talented attorneys interested in serving across its broad range of litigation practices. Well qualified applicants may be considered for opportunities in other sections based on their experience, expertise, and the Divisions mission needs.
Appellate Staff
Aviation, Space, and Admiralty
Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation
Corporate Financial Litigation Section
Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch
Environmental Tort Litigation
Federal Tort Claims Act
Federal Programs
Civil Fraud Section
Intellectual Property Section
International Trade Field Office
National Courts
Office of Immigration Litigation
Office of Foreign Litigation
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
Tax Litigation Branch
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
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), be a U.S. citizen. The minimum years of post-law degree experience commensurate with the grade level of eligibility is shown below.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.
Preferred qualifications: The Civil Division seeks attorneys with strong academic credentials, excellent legal research and writing skills, sound judgment, and demonstrated civil litigation experience. Judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable.
Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans 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/.
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 Veterans 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.pdffor a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdf
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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.
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: 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.
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 behalffrom 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.
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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.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications and requirements described in this announcement.
Candidates will be evaluated on a rolling basis, with the first cutoff date occurring on Wednesday, September 23. Additional cutoff dates will occur approximately every three weeks thereafter, on or about the following dates: October 14; November 4; and November 25, when the announcement is scheduled to close.
This announcement may close at any time once selections have been made. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure full consideration.
Applications may be reviewed by a selection panel.
Appointment Type
Appointments to the RECA program will initially be for a period of two years and may be extended in increments of up to two years, generally to align with the end of a fiscal year, provided that funding remains available and the Division determines that an extension is in its best interest.
Please note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates for any office if additional vacancies become available. Application materials may be shared with all Sections in the Division for consideration and potential selection.
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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You must submit the following documents:
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
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/27/2026 to receive consideration.
Click "Apply Online" to get started.
If youre not logged in to your USAJOBS account, you will need to login. If you dont have an account, please create one.
You will be prompted to select one of your stored (or uploaded) resumes, and any supporting documents you have uploaded to USAJOBS. If you have not uploaded these documents, you can do so later before submitting your application.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, you will be asked to submit your demographic information (if you have provided this in your profile). Submission is optional and anonymous.
Youll be asked to confirm your choices and certify the accuracy of your information before youre able to continue to the Application Manager system. Until you see the blue border and DOJ logo, you are still on USAJOBS. Youll see a folder animation just before you leave USAJOBS.
Once you reach DOJs Application Manager system, youll be asked to verify the information you transmitted from USAJOBS. You will then respond to the application assessment questionnaires and indicate your eligibility options.
After responding to the questionnaires, you will have the opportunity to attach the documents you brought over from USAJOBS OR upload documents directly from your computer or device.
If you opt to upload a document directly, click the "Upload" button and select the document on your device, then wait for the upload to finish. Repeat as needed. Documents must be less than 3 MB each and should be in a compatible file format.
Once all your documents are uploaded, you must assign the uploads to the appropriate document category. You may attach more than one document to each category. Click the drop-down menu for a document category, and select one of the available options in the menu. The document will be listed under this category. You can click the drop-down again to add other documents, as needed. You can have up to 15 document assignments.
Once youve uploaded and assigned all your documents to an appropriate document type, you can proceed to the final verification step, and click Submit.
If you have correctly submitted your application, you will receive an automated e-mail notification within 30-60 minutes. Be sure to review the announcement fully to make sure that your application contains everything that is required.
If you need help with the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help Site (for everything on the USAJOBS-side), or the Application Manager Help Site (for everything on the DOJ-side).
Regrettably, the Department of Justice cannot assist you with USAJOBS account issues. If you contact us for assistance and the problem is related to your USAJOBS account, we will have to direct you to USAJOBS to remedy the issue.
Agency contact information
Brandon Cox
Phone 202-598-9544 Fax 202-514-7968 Email brandon.l.cox@usdoj.gov
Next steps
Once the application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. All qualified applications will be sent to the hiring official for review. You will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.
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
You must submit the following documents:
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
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/27/2026 to receive consideration.
Click "Apply Online" to get started.
If youre not logged in to your USAJOBS account, you will need to login. If you dont have an account, please create one.
You will be prompted to select one of your stored (or uploaded) resumes, and any supporting documents you have uploaded to USAJOBS. If you have not uploaded these documents, you can do so later before submitting your application.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, you will be asked to submit your demographic information (if you have provided this in your profile). Submission is optional and anonymous.
Youll be asked to confirm your choices and certify the accuracy of your information before youre able to continue to the Application Manager system. Until you see the blue border and DOJ logo, you are still on USAJOBS. Youll see a folder animation just before you leave USAJOBS.
Once you reach DOJs Application Manager system, youll be asked to verify the information you transmitted from USAJOBS. You will then respond to the application assessment questionnaires and indicate your eligibility options.
After responding to the questionnaires, you will have the opportunity to attach the documents you brought over from USAJOBS OR upload documents directly from your computer or device.
If you opt to upload a document directly, click the "Upload" button and select the document on your device, then wait for the upload to finish. Repeat as needed. Documents must be less than 3 MB each and should be in a compatible file format.
Once all your documents are uploaded, you must assign the uploads to the appropriate document category. You may attach more than one document to each category. Click the drop-down menu for a document category, and select one of the available options in the menu. The document will be listed under this category. You can click the drop-down again to add other documents, as needed. You can have up to 15 document assignments.
Once youve uploaded and assigned all your documents to an appropriate document type, you can proceed to the final verification step, and click Submit.
If you have correctly submitted your application, you will receive an automated e-mail notification within 30-60 minutes. Be sure to review the announcement fully to make sure that your application contains everything that is required.
If you need help with the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help Site (for everything on the USAJOBS-side), or the Application Manager Help Site (for everything on the DOJ-side).
Regrettably, the Department of Justice cannot assist you with USAJOBS account issues. If you contact us for assistance and the problem is related to your USAJOBS account, we will have to direct you to USAJOBS to remedy the issue.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
Brandon Cox
Phone 202-598-9544 Fax 202-514-7968 Email brandon.l.cox@usdoj.gov
Next steps
Once the application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. All qualified applications will be sent to the hiring official for review. You will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.
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
Additional locations
Miami, FL
Wichita, KS
Location Negotiable After Selection
Kansas City, MO
Raleigh, NC
Buffalo, NY
Cleveland, OH
Charleston, SC
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX