Summary
The Torts Branch defends the United States and its employees in tort litigation seeking monetary judgment for damages resulting from alleged negligent or wrongful acts. The Torts Branch is the principal guardian of the public fisc in tort suits that seek billions of dollars in monetary damages each year. The Vaccine Act is a critical component of our nation's vaccination system and ensures that the very rare cases where people are harmed by covered vaccines, appropriate compensation is available
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens
Duties
Trial attorneys with the Vaccine Litigation Staff of the Office of Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation represent the interests of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in all cases filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act ("Vaccine Act"). The cases involve claims of injury as a result of the receipt of vaccines covered by the Act. The office is currently expanding to address a recent increase in cases filed under the Vaccine Act.
This position involves a unique trial practice in which attorneys engage with varied issues of public health, science, and medicine. Once attorneys gain the necessary familiarity with the relevant issues, they will get extensive opportunities to hone their litigating skills. Many cases involve complex scientific issues of causation that require expert witnesses in medical fields such as pediatrics, neurology, immunology, and epidemiology. In cases in which individuals are found entitled to compensation, the litigation occasionally requires use of damages experts to develop an appropriate life care plan for the injured party.
Vaccine Litigation is an office that prides itself on collegiality, with robust mentorship and training programs in place to ensure that new attorneys have support as they familiarize themselves with our practice area. Newer attorneys will focus primarily on litigating cases typically involving less complicated issues of science and medicine, with the goal of transitioning to handling more complex cases over time.
Trial attorneys appear frequently before the Office of Special Masters in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and also appear before the judges of the Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit when handling appeals. Responsibilities include factual and legal research, medical record review, brief writing, and working with expert witnesses to develop the defense of claims, as well as to address in some cases the life care needs of individuals alleged to be injured. The majority of cases are resolved informally, and thus attorneys engage regularly in settlement and damages negotiations, including alternative dispute resolution, and drafting settlement memoranda.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- • You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- • Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file
- • May require completion of a 14-month temporary appointment, subject to extension, pending the completion and adjudication of your background check.
- • May require a Top Secret security clearance depending on organizational assignment /duty location.
- • It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
- • Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines
- • Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two-year trial period.
Qualifications
Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least one year of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; have at least one and a half years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; have at least two and a half years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation and interpersonal skills and exhibit good judgment. Trial experience is strongly preferred, although not required.
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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications. Your application will be evaluated by a reviewing panel.
Please Note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates if more positions become available within 120 days after the closing date of the vacancy.
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume showing relevant experience.
- Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages)
- DD-214 and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 pm, Eastern Standard Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement.
A complete application package must include:
1. Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience).
2. Résumé (listing month and year of relevant experience) Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
3. Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length).
4. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 Copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: CSTL-Vaccine.Vacancies@usdoj.govApplicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division, Torts Branch
CSTL/Vaccine Litigation
3CON, Room 8.1302Washington, D.C. 20005
ATTN: Alexis Babcock, Assistant Director
Next steps
Once the application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. All qualified applications will be sent to the hiring official for review. You will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.
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