The Civil Rights Division (Division) of the Department of Justice, created by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

The closing date for this announcement has been extended.

The Section represents the United States in both civil and criminal civil rights cases in the federal courts of appeals. Many of the Section's cases are appeals from district court judgments in cases originally handled by the Division's trial sections, and the Section works cooperatively with the trial sections in those cases. The Section also monitors federal civil rights cases in which the United States is not a party.

The incumbent, under appropriate supervision, will represent the United States in the enforcement of federal civil rights laws in the United States Courts of Appeals, and will work closely with the Office of the Solicitor General to represent the United States' interests in civil rights cases before the United States Supreme Court. Cases in which the United States is a party may be criminal or civil in nature. The incumbent also will review cases in which the United States is not a party for possible participation as amicus curiae in the courts of appeals and the Supreme Court, and will prepare recommendations for the Office of the Solicitor General. The incumbent will provide legal counsel on civil rights or related legal issues to Division trial sections, Division and Department leadership, and to other federal offices as required. The incumbent also may be called on to assist in trial-level litigation in cases of unusual complexity or importance. The position involves significant legal writing responsibilities, including preparation of internal memoranda, briefs for the courts of appeals, and other court filings.

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess post-professional law degree experience commensurate to the grade level of eligibility, as shown below. Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the work of the section or substantially similar laws, rules, and regulations; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references.

Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

• GS-13 - minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience
• GS-14 - minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience
• GS-15 - minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are preferred but not required: appellate litigation experience and/or substantive expertise in the federal civil rights laws enforced by the Civil Rights Division. Judicial clerkships, law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skills and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred. Judicial clerkships, law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skills and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as charging parties, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on Friday, February 24, 2023.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé
3. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
4. Writing sample of no more than ten pages (a brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product)
5. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable
6. Sch A documentation, if applicable
To apply for this position, see page at

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.