Civil Division Attorney - Location Negotiable

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 nation's 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.

Duties

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 Nation's 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 to protect the American people. Civil Fraud Section: The Fraud section investigates and litigates some of the Civil Division's most significant cases and leads the Department's 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 Department's 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 Nation's 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 Division's 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 Radiation Exposure Compensation Program Tax Litigation Branch Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

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.

How to apply

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. 1. Click "Apply Online" to get started. 2. If you're not logged in to your USAJOBS account, you will need to login. If you don't have an account, please create one. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. You'll be asked to confirm your choices and certify the accuracy of your information before you're able to continue to the Application Manager system. Until you see the blue border and DOJ logo, you are still on USAJOBS. You'll see a folder animation just before you leave USAJOBS. 6. Once you reach DOJ's Application Manager system, you'll be asked to verify the information you transmitted from USAJOBS. You will then respond to the application assessment questionnaires and indicate your eligibility options. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. Once you've uploaded and assigned all your documents to an appropriate document type, you can proceed to the final verification step, and click Submit. 11. 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.

Required documents

You must submit the following documents: Cover Letter Resume showing relevant experience (not to exceed 2 pages) Writing Sample (not more than 10 pages in length, and written in the past 3 years) DD-214 and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable)

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.pdf for 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 behalf from inquiring about an applicant's 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.