Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

The Attorney Advisor will be responsible for:

• Providing legal services in the interpretation and application of U.S. immigration law and applicable statutes, executive orders, directives, regulations, administrative rulings, and court decisions in accordance with Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the United States Code (U.S.C.), and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Researching legal issues, preparing opinions, recommendations, and legal documents within area of responsibility, advising officials and preparing draft orders for Administrative Law Judge, Immigration Judge, or Appellate Immigration Judge review.
• Exercising independent discretion and judgment in the preparation of necessary legal documents and the development of conclusions and recommendations.
• Monitoring and examining formal filings for legal sufficiency and reviewing submissions from party representatives to ensure procedural requirements are met.
• Developing and preparing interpretive and administrative documents to implement the statutes and regulations applicable to various aspects of immigration law.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Employment is contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Security clearance may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• A two year trial period will be required.
• Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Moving and Relocation Expenses are not authorized.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B. or a J.D. degree. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your degree and the name of the College or University from which it was conferred/awarded.)

AND

• Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your first license and the State from which it was issued.)

AND

Experience:For the GS-12 Level:

Applicants must have one year (12 months/52 weeks) of post J.D. or LL.B. professional legal experience that includes the following:

Qualifying professional legal experience includes: (1) Monitoring and examining formal filings for legal sufficiency and reviewing submissions from party representatives to ensure procedural requirements are met; (2) Developing and preparing interpretive and administrative documents under relevant statutes and regulations; and (3) Demonstrating a commitment to personal and organizational success.

NOTE: Qualifying experience is calculated only after receipt of J.D. or LL.B.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

If your resume does not support your assessment questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your Resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MMYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name, position title, grade level(s) held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.

Writing Sample: In addition to the above-stated qualifications, applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates their ability to author legal documents to be considered for this position. Only the first 7 pages will be reviewed.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualification requirement, your application will be identified for referral to the hiring manager for further review and consideration.

There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g. the DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions.

Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10- point preference must submit Standard From SF-15, Application for 10- Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of the SF-15, which list the types of 10- point preferences and the required supporting document (s). Applicants should note that SF-15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of non-service connected disabilities pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch or Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retirement list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more.)

In order to be rated as meeting the minimum qualifications, we must be able to determine from your application package that you have the education and experience that is required. Applicants who have qualifying experience performed on less than a full-time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/28/2025, the closing date of this announcement, which includes:

1. Your Resume showing post J.D. or LL.B. professional legal experience; cover letter optional. You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

• Official position title,
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (including month and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.3. Writing Sample only the first 7 pages will be reviewed.4. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable:

• Veterans' Preference documentation (DD-214 (Member 4 copy), dated VA Letter, SF-15)
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

Note: Ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your Resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MMYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name, position title, grade level(s) held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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