The Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking up to 5 experienced litigators for its Natural Resources Section in both Washington, DC and Denver, Colorado. The first cut-off date for referral of applicants will be 3/11/2026. The second cut-off date will be 3/25/2026.
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 at least 1 year of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience and the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below: At least 2 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level. At least 3 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level. At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level. At least 5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level. 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. 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: GS-12 ($102,415 - $133,142) GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322) GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093) GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200) Denver, CO: GS-12 ($ 99,800 - $129,742) GS-13 ($118,675 - $154,280) GS-14 ($140,239 - $182,316) GS-15 ($164,956 -$197,200) YOUR RESUMÉ 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.
The Natural Resources Section (NRS) frequently offers its attorneys meaningful court experience in federal and state court in novel and complex civil litigation. 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, and appear in court for oral arguments and trials. NRS represents virtually every major federal agency in federal district court, the Court of Federal Claims, and State courts in novel and complex litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes, various treaties and international agreements, interstate compacts, and congressional referrals. Large portions of our docket involve challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving: The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources; Defense of renewable energy projects; Vital federal programs ranging from nuclear materials management to military preparedness to national energy policy; Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country; Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control; and The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.