Summary This position is that of a Trial Attorney for the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU), Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in Washington, D.C. The Trial Attorney's primary role will be to investigate and prosecute sensitive and complex cases involving violations of federal criminal civil rights statutes, including those that prohibit forced labor and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Responsibilities As a Trial Attorney, you will review and analyze allegations of criminal civil rights violations; develop strategies for investigations; coordinate with federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly and effectively; develop testimonial and documentary evidence relevant to cases; present evidence to federal grand juries; identify relevant legal issues in cases and investigations; recommend for or against federal prosecution; meet and confer with officials from the Civil Rights Division, the Department of Justice, other federal, state, and local government agencies, and interested non-governmental organizations; and establish good working relationships with partners from United States Attorney's Offices and federal investigative agencies nationwide. In addition, you will prepare and present cases for prosecution, to include preparing grand jury authorization requests, prosecution summaries, and indictment recommendations; preparing indictments, motions, pleadings, and briefs; conducting pretrial discovery and motions practice; developing testimonial and documentary evidence for trial; and conducting every aspect of trial preparation and trial presentation in federal criminal trials in jurisdictions across the United States. Trial Attorneys also handle non-litigation matters that arise in relation to the Section's mission of investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights and cases. These non-litigation duties might include participating in strategy and coordination meetings; conducting legal trainings, public presentations, and other forms of outreach; meeting with interested persons regarding prosecutorial decisions; and other non-litigation duties. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law. You may be required to complete a one- or two-year probationary period. You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening to initiate your background investigation, which includes a drug screening. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion and adjudication of your investigation. You must have a JD degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. DOJ uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, by visiting www.e-verify.gov/. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a JD from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction) and possess the minimum years of 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 Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, including the criminal statutes prohibiting involuntary servitude, slavery, and human trafficking codified at Title 18, United States Code, Chapter 77, Sections 1581 through 1597 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: Given the nature, volume, and complexity of this work, the Criminal Section's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit seeks candidates with significant criminal litigation experience, including federal criminal litigation and/or state criminal litigation involving human trafficking or related crimes. The following qualifications are preferred, but not required: (1) experience investigating and prosecuting human trafficking crimes under federal and/or state law; (2) first-chair criminal prosecution or defense experience; (3) federal criminal litigation experience, including federal jury trial experience; (4) experience leading complex investigations, especially in utilizing investigative grand juries; (5) substantial knowledge of federal human trafficking statutes, federal criminal procedure, and constitutional law; (6) judicial clerkship experience; (7) experience working with crime victims or other vulnerable individuals; and (8) experience coordinating with law enforcement agencies and task force partners. Other preferred qualifications include law review, moot court, clinical experience, experience with trafficking-related civil, administrative, or immigration proceedings, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people such as witnesses, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, task forces, and other federal or state governmental agencies. Education You must possess a JD. 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. Additional Information Equal Employment Opportunity: The DOJ is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement. Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs. Suitability and Citizenship: 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. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. FAIR CHANCE TO COMPETE FOR JOBS: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee has violated your rights under the Fair Chance Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly with the DOJ component hiring office listed in the job opportunity announcement. For more information visit USAJOBS Help Center - What are criminal history inquiries?