Trial Attorney (Civil Frauds)

The Civil Fraud Section represents the United States in federal district courts in civil matters concerning fraud against the government as well as areas including conflict of interest and financial fraud. The largest subject area of work is enforcing the False Claims Act to pursue allegations of fraud against the government, which includes fraud in federal healthcare programs and government procurements, loans, and grants in a variety of federal programs. 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. The Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice is seeking multiple qualified, experienced attorneys for positions in the Fraud Section located in Washington, DC.

The incumbent will represent the United States in civil matters pursued under the False Claims Act, other federal statutes alleging fraud against the government, and in other civil matters, such as those concerning conflict of interest and financial fraud. Matters investigated and litigated by the Fraud Section emanate from complaints filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, agency referrals, and fraudulent schemes and trends identified by the Section's data analytics. The trial attorney will personally investigate and litigate matters assigned to them, including drafting recommendations, memoranda, and pleadings; conducting testimony; pursuing discovery; calculating damages; negotiating resolutions; and handling trials. The trial attorney will work on a range of subject areas including healthcare fraud, procurement, loan, and grant fraud, and trade fraud. The trial attorney will work with U.S. Attorneys' Offices to investigate and litigate cases assigned to the Section.

This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week. Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

• To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience
• To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; exhibit good judgment, and have experience in investigations and/or civil litigation. Applicants should demonstrate capability to manage a large, active docket of cases and produce polished work product in accordance with established deadlines. Experience in False Claims Act matters or complex civil litigation is desirable.

Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.