Attorney-Advisor (General) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. DE-12631611-25-OGC Department DHS Headquarters
Salary $142,488.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 14 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/2/2025 Close Date 1/23/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Immigration Law Division (IMM).

The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal advice, litigation support, and occasional training for DHS headquarters activities and programs in the area of immigration law, with respect to both immigration enforcement and immigration benefits.

Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

As an Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-14/15, your typical work assignments may include:

  • Researching, reviewing, and analyzing court decisions, legislation, regulations, correspondence, field guidance, congressional reports, and congressional testimony; drafting legal memoranda, memoranda of agreement and understanding, and other legal documents.
  • Providing oral and written legal advice to OGC leadership and DHS headquarters clients on a wide range of immigration law issues, including family- and employment-based immigration; non-immigrant classifications, asylum and refugee resettlement; naturalization and nationality; arrest, detention, and removal; E-Verify and worksite enforcement; Visa Waiver Program; grounds of inadmissibility and deportability (including criminal and terrorism-related grounds) and related waiver and exemption authorities; inspection and border enforcement authorities; administrative and federal court litigation of immigration cases; and constitutional law relating to noncitizens and immigration (e.g., Fourth and Fifth Amendments, federal preemption).
  • Coordinating and collaborating with attorneys in other OGC divisions (e.g., Legal Counsel Division, Regulatory Affairs Law Division, Operations and Enforcement Law Division) and with DHS component counsel (especially U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of the Chief Counsel).
  • Providing litigation support to ICE (e.g., significant appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals or the Attorney General) and the Department of Justice (significant federal court litigation) in immigration matters.
  • Representing DHS in discussions, negotiations, briefings and consultations with other Executive Branch agencies (e.g., Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor), Congress, and international organizations regarding legal matters of interest.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
  • You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • You must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
  • Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

GS-14 / GS-15:
  1. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND
  2. Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.
Specialized Experience:
The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application.

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal government.

Specialized experience for this position is providing legal advice and support on a wide range of immigration enforcement and benefits issues, including family- and employment-based immigration; non-immigrant classifications; asylum and refugee resettlement; naturalization and nationality; arrest, detention, and removal; E-Verify and worksite enforcement; Visa Waiver Program; grounds of inadmissibility and deportability (including criminal and terrorism-related grounds) and related waiver and exemption authorities; inspection and border enforcement authorities; administrative and federal court litigation of immigration cases; and constitutional law relating to noncitizens and immigration (e.g., Fourth and Fifth Amendments, federal preemption).

An Attorney Advisor for Immigration is responsible for addressing exceptionally complex and difficult legal and policy questions relating to immigration and nationality, spanning the full range of immigration enforcement and benefits matters; drafting legal opinions; interpreting and applying judicial and administrative decisions; drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, regulations, decisions, and other legal instruments; and coordinating legal positions with DHS component counsel offices (e.g., U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

This position requires excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills (including knowledge of canons of statutory construction and primary immigration statutes, regulations, and case law), and demonstrated progressive responsibility. Advanced understanding of administrative law principles is preferred but not required.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Additional information

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

This position may be filled at the GS-14 or GS-15 grade level. If selection is made at the GS-14 level, promotion to the next higher level may occur without further competition.

You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this non-critical sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

This is a permanent appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period, unless already completed. Upon successful completion of the required trial period, this position will be permanent. This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job:

  1. Ability to conduct and direct complex legal research, engage in extensive legal analysis, and present the analysis and recommendations in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner, both in writing and orally, often in the face of a substantial volume of work, tight deadlines, and changing priorities.
  2. Knowledge of the areas of law and policy as related to a wide range of immigration enforcement and benefits issues and of administrative law.
  3. Ability to act as an effective advisor and counsel to high-level officials of the Office of the General Counsel and the Department. Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and be able to collaborate effectively with colleagues in other Office of the General Counsel divisions and in DHS component counsel offices and to present cogent arguments regarding the Department's position in an effective, diplomatic manner to other Federal agencies and the Executive Office of the President.
If you are the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12631611

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will evaluate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. OGC will consider relevant skills and experience, education and training, performance, and awards.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration, or your score may be lowered.

Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Homeland Security considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD form 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.

Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Required Documents

  1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held.
  2. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12631611
  3. A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. In addition, a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official transcript for both college and law school.
  4. A legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
  5. Proof that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  6. Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s.
  7. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference. The member 4 copy of your DD214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
  8. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
    • Position title,
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
    • Agency
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  9. If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Agency contact information

Lori Pollacci
Address
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within several weeks after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

DHS 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.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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