The Attorney assists with cases that are filed under the Vaccine Act, and may involve complex scientific issues of causation, and potentially complex issues involving damages if an individual is found to be entitled to compensation.

Duties

General Attorneys with the Vaccine Litigation staff are involved in cases that address complex scientific issues of causation, and potentially complex issues involving damages if an individual is found to be entitled to compensation. 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. The Vaccine Section 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. General Attorneys conduct factual and legal research and analysis, review medical records, and draft briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents relating to cases filed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. General Attorneys work closely with the Trial Attorneys in the office who represent the Secretary in Vaccine Act cases filed before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, with docket management and other case activities. General Attorneys will not appear in court. General Attorneys also assist in cases where entitlement to damages has been decided, including evaluating damages requests, coordinating with life care planners, economists, damages experts, and structured settlement specialists to assist in determining compensation that is reasonable and necessary based on the vaccine-related injury, as well as assisting with negotiated settlements of cases to the benefit of the client agency. General Attorneys may also assist with cases on appeal, including legal research and drafting appellate briefs. General Attorneys may also engage with representatives of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders on matters related to legal issues relating to the Vaccine Act.

Requirements

• • 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.
• • 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.
• • May require a Top Secret security clearance depending on organizational assignment /duty location.

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 and a half years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; and have at least two and a half years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should have excellent legal research, writing, and interpersonal skills and exhibit good judgment. You must also be a U.S. citizen.

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.

Contacts

• Address Civil Division 1100 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20530 US
• Name: Sherly Voltaire
• Email: [email protected]