The Appellate Section is responsible for handling most ENRD cases in federal and state appellate courts; for preparing appeal, en banc, and certiorari recommendations; and briefs in most ENRD cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) is a great place to work. ENRD has been consistently ranked among the top agency sub-components in the annual rankings of Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. ENRD seeks to attract, retain, and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent in all job categories.The work environment and atmosphere are open, diverse, collegial, and inclusive. ENRD places a high value on diversity and fosters a work environment where people of all backgrounds, physical abilities, sexual orientations, and experiences may reach their full potential.

ENRD is the nation's chief environmental litigator, enforcing federal pollution abatement laws to protect the health and environment of the United States and its citizens. ENRD also defends suits challenging environmental and conservation laws, regulations, and activities; represents the United States in all matters concerning the protection, use and development of the Nation's natural resources and public lands; and litigates on behalf of Indian tribes.

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 Chief of the Environment and Natural Resources Division's (ENRD) Appellate Section is responsible for management of Division cases in the United States Courts of Appeals and in state appellate courts, and, in cooperation with the Solicitor General, Division cases in the Supreme Court. The Section also provides legal advice to the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Division and to trial sections, and on occasion to other components of the Department of Justice and other federal agencies regarding legal questions related to the work of the Division.

As Chief, the successful candidate:

• Oversees appellate litigation involving a broad docket involving both enforcement and defensive work in cases addressing federal environmental and natural resource laws, Indian law, property ownership and management, resource development, and administrative law, among other areas within the Division's jurisdiction. This includes handling Division cases in the United States Courts of Appeals, in state appellate courts, and, in cooperation with the Office of the Solicitor General, Division cases in the Supreme Court.
• Recommends, with input from other Division Chiefs, staff, litigating sections, other interested Divisions, and the legal components of other agencies, whether appellate review in the federal courts of appeals or in the Supreme Court should be sought of adverse judicial decisions and whether the Division should seek to participate as amicus curiae in the Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, or state appellate courts.
• In coordination with other managers in the Section, assesses the quality and content of all appellate briefs and oral arguments handled by the Division to ensure that they are persuasive, supported by the facts and law, and consistent with Department policy and priorities.
• Exercises management oversight of the Section, supervising an office of approximately 40 positions, including managers, line attorneys, and professional administrative support staff.
• Is responsible for overall management of personnel, litigative program development, budget, and other matters, and participates in the related decisional processes. The Chief supervises - both directly and through subordinate managers - the Section's attorneys and support personnel.
• Consults with and advises the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Deputy Assistant Attorneys General of the Division.
• Coordinates with the Division's other Section Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs as appropriate.
• Confers with the Office of the Solicitor General, as appropriate, regarding appellate litigation involving that office.
• Meets, coordinates, and fosters good working relationships with other Department of Justice components, including other litigating Divisions, the United States Attorneys' Offices, other specialized components of the Department, and the many federal departments and regulatory agencies represented by the Appellate Section in litigation.
• Serves as the reviewing official for attorney evaluations.

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 Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must address the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and three Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) separately.

The application process used to recruit for this position is TRADITIONAL.Your resume must not exceed seven pages, including an optional cover letter.

Copies of the Office of Personnel Management's "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications" may be obtained via the Internet at

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of the Bar (any jurisdiction).

We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the . Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ): Your responses to the MTQs should be addressed separately, not to exceed two pages per MTQ.

MTQ1 - Demonstrated significant experience and expertise in personally handling and managing complex appellate litigation in the federal courts of appeals.

MTQ 2. Demonstrated experience as a technical authority and expert advisor in environmental and appellate matters in order to develop and implement policy initiatives and direction.

MTQ 3. Knowledge of the federal environmental, natural resource, and other laws or programs administered by the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

IN ADDITION, YOU MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs), NOT TO EXCEED TEN PAGES. Please provide a separate response to each ECQ.

ECQ1 - LEADING CHANGE. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ2 - LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Additional information on the Executive Core Qualifications can be found at

Please refer to OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Service Qualifications for more detailed information.

The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) of the selectee who is not a current or former career Senior Executive employee (Title V) must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before appointment. In addition, individuals entering the Senior Executive Service for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period. Applicants who have completed the Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of the application.

Applicants must address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) separately. The ECQ narrative is limited to 10 pages and the narrative for each MTQ is limited to two pages per MTQ.

Please see Application Procedures for specific instructions. Your resume should demonstrate the necessary level of management skills, characteristics, qualities, specialized knowledge, and technical competence that would indicate successful performance in the SES. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that emphasize the applicant's level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts.

Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e., resume, and other documents as applicable) WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.

If you are a current member of the SES, or are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, ECQ responses are not required. Please indicate in your resume that you are a current or former member of the SES. You must, however, submit responses to the MTQs, and submit a copy of the most recent SF-50 documenting your SES appointment.

Applicants who have completed the Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of the certificate as part of the application. SES CDP graduates must also submit responses to the MTQs, but ECQ responses are not required.

You must apply online through USAJOBS:

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Office of Human Resources using the contact information below.

You must upload a complete Application Package which includes:

• Complete Resume (cover letter optional)
• Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)
• Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)
• Current federal employees must submit a recent SF-50.
• Other supporting documentation as required. Please see the "REQUIRED DOCUMENTS" section and review the applicant checklist link to determine if there are other documents you are required to submit.

If you are a current or former SES applicant with non-competitive eligibility, please submit an SF-50 showing your status as one of the following:

• current Career SES appointee,
• former Career SES appointee with career SES reinstatement eligibility, or
• current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive who is/was employed in a Federal government agency that has an interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) allowing for movement between the agency's SES-equivalent personnel system and the SES. NOTE: This applies only to current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executives of the Government Accountability Office, the Transportation Security Administration, or the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Postal Service.

OR

A certificate of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SES CDP). NOTE: This applies only if your ECQs have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) through the SES CDP. To be considered non-competitively, you must submit your resume only, and other documents, as applicable. You must submit your application so that it will be received by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on the closing date of the announcement. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE NON-COMPETITIVE CONSIDERATION IF YOU FAIL TO SUBMIT PROOF OF NON-COMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY.

Note for Current and/or Former Political Appointees: Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office within your application package.

Failure to submit a complete application (resume and all supporting documents) by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of hte announcement may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully as missing application information will not be requested. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

If more than one resume is received, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed.

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.