General Attorney (RECA)

Hiring Organization
Civil Division (CIV)
Hiring Office
Civil Division, Torts Branch, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Program
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
AT-12864515-26-SW

Location:
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530, DC 20530 - United States

Application Deadline:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
About the Office

The Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation (CSTL) Section is the largest section of the Torts Branch in the Civil Division, Department of Justice. CSTL includes three groups: Civil Division, Torts Branch, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program

Job Description
The RECA Program administers claims under a statute providing compensation to individuals who developed illnesses from radiation exposure while mining, milling, or transporting uranium ore for defense purposes, or from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing during the Cold War. In July 2025, the Act was expanded to cover additional geographic areas, more workers, and injuries connected to the Manhattan Project.

Staff in the RECA Program represent the Attorney General's interests throughout the claims process, including investigation, adjudication, and appeal. The program handles complex legal and factual issues involving substantial monetary claims and serves as a key component of the Department's efforts to provide restitution to affected individuals.

As a General Attorney, the incumbent:
Conducts research and analysis concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, and regulations regarding complex issues that arise in connection with the RECA Program and matters within purview of T-CSTL;
Reviews the administrative record in claims under RECA with complex factual and legal questions;
Works to develop additional evidence in support of determinations of entitlement to compensation and the amount of such compensation;
Works closely with federal, state, and local agencies to collect evidence relevant to the Department's position;
Evaluates claims for fraud and litigative risk and provides recommendations of entitlement.
Drafts associated correspondence, memoranda, and documents relating to claims;
Works closely with DOJ trial attorneys representing the United States in RECA Program matters that end up before the courts.
Drafts legal pleadings and other documents that may be needed in defense of decisions made under the Act; and
Participates in meetings and discussions with opposing counsel, collaborating agencies, state and local stakeholders regarding all aspects of claims and other matters related to the RECA Program.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.

Qualifications

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. Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience.
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants with experience or interest in administrative law, workers compensation systems, and benefits administration are preferred. The ideal applicant demonstrates capability to manage multiple assignments with short deadlines to reliable, well-supported outcomes in a high-volume and dynamic setting.

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.

Application Process

Applicant resumes will be reviewed regularly and issued to hiring officials on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying, it is recommended that you do so early. Multiple positions will be filled from this announcement. We will accept applications through April 29, 2026. Candidate lists will be generated every two weeks and eligible applications received by the cutoff date will be sent to the selecting official. The cutoff dates to be referred to the selecting official are as follows: 02/04/2026, 02/18/2026, 3/04/2026, 03/18/2026, 4/01/2026, 04/15/2026, 4/29/2026.

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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.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Salary

$121,785 to - $197,200 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 13 - 15