Director (CSTL)
What you'd do
The Director in the Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation Section of the Torts Branch is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position in the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice. For more information on the Torts Branch - CSTL Section, visit https://www.justice.gov/civil/constitutional-specialized-tort-litigation-section.
Major duties
CSTL consists of three groups: Constitutional Torts; the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP); and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program. The Constitutional Torts Staff defends federal employees at all levels of government in cases seeking money damages against them personally for actions taken as part of their official duties. The RECA Program is an administrative law platform that adjudicates claims from individuals who suffered from radiation exposure during the early days of the Atomic Age. The VICP establishes a no-fault compensation system which provides a safety net for persons injured by routine pediatric vaccines in the event of rare adverse events and litigates petitions for compensation. The Director of CSTL supervises subordinate staff, which includes Assistant Directors and SES Deputy Directors. Analyzes proposed legislation and Executive Orders which may affect the work of the Torts Branch. In managing Constitutional Torts, the Director: personally reviews difficult and precedent-setting cases of unusual complexity; applies the facts in each situation to regulatory criteria in deciding requests for representation; handles legal issues arising out of the provision of individual capacity representation by DOJ to federal employees, as well as issues arising out of the implementation of the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act of 1988. consults with leadership on litigation strategy, settlement, and appellate prospects in high-profile and sensitive policy-driven cases; approves the hiring of consultants and experts and approves litigation expenses; and oversees the Civil Division's Private Counsel Program. In managing the RECA Program, the Director: has executive level oversight for the outcome in every claim, either to approve or deny compensation in accordance with statutory criteria; presents to the designated RECA Appeals Officer cases on appeal from the denial of monetary compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; approves referral to Office of the Inspector General when there is suspicion of fraud on behalf of a claimant. In managing VICP litigation, the Director: has executive level oversight of the staff; reviews sensitive, medically and legally complex moving papers and brief at the trial and appellate level; approves settlements; advises Department leadership on policy-based issues; and plans for additional staff funding and resource allocation to accommodate expanding litigation demands.
What you need to qualify
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of their demonstrated leadership ability by addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided) **Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position. 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 to the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Director. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess. ECQ1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. ECQ5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. For this position, the following Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) have been established and should be addressed within the resume application. MTQ1 - Demonstrated legal experience and expertise that includes defending government employees personally in federal court from constitutional, common-law tort, and state or federal statutory damage claims, as well as the activities involved in assigned programs. MTQ2 - Demonstrated experience in planning and oversight of the activities of a legal organization, including developing legal strategies in U.S. courts and providing sound and timely legal counsel.
Before you apply
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