Director (CSTL)

Summary

The Director in the Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation Section of the Torts Branch is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position in the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice. For more information on the Torts Branch - CSTL Section, visit https://www.justice.gov/civil/constitutional-specialized-tort-litigation-section.

Duties

• CSTL consists of three groups: Constitutional Torts; the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP); and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program. The Constitutional Torts Staff defends federal employees at all levels of government in cases seeking money damages against them personally for actions taken as part of their official duties. The RECA Program is an administrative law platform that adjudicates claims from individuals who suffered from radiation exposure during the early days of the Atomic Age. The VICP establishes a no-fault compensation system which provides a safety net for persons injured by routine pediatric vaccines in the event of rare adverse events and litigates petitions for compensation. The Director of CSTL supervises subordinate staff, which includes Assistant Directors and SES Deputy Directors. Analyzes proposed legislation and Executive Orders which may affect the work of the Torts Branch. In managing Constitutional Torts, the Director: personally reviews difficult and precedent-setting cases of unusual complexity; applies the facts in each situation to regulatory criteria in deciding requests for representation; handles legal issues arising out of the provision of individual capacity representation by DOJ to federal employees, as well as issues arising out of the implementation of the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act of 1988. consults with leadership on litigation strategy, settlement, and appellate prospects in high-profile and sensitive policy-driven cases; approves the hiring of consultants and experts and approves litigation expenses; and oversees the Civil Division's Private Counsel Program. In managing the RECA Program, the Director: has executive level oversight for the outcome in every claim, either to approve or deny compensation in accordance with statutory criteria; presents to the designated RECA Appeals Officer cases on appeal from the denial of monetary compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; approves referral to Office of the Inspector General when there is suspicion of fraud on behalf of a claimant. In managing VICP litigation, the Director: has executive level oversight of the staff; reviews sensitive, medically and legally complex moving papers and brief at the trial and appellate level; approves settlements; advises Department leadership on policy-based issues; and plans for additional staff funding and resource allocation to accommodate expanding litigation demands.

Requirements

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 31st, 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 on 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 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.

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 a state, 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.