GENERAL ATTORNEY (FOIA) Job in Camp Springs, MD

Vacancy No. COU-12633407-CIS PJN Department Citizenship and Immigration Services
Salary $117,962.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 13 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/6/2024 Close Date 12/20/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Camp Springs, MD


Summary

Do you desire to be a part of the vibrant United States immigrant admission process, to protect American interests and to secure our nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS), and its Office of the Chief Counsel are calling!

The Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC), is seeking an attorney for an Associate Counsel position with the Commercial and Administrative Law Division (CALD) located in Camp Springs, MD.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens

Duties

The selectee for this vacancy will serve as a senior attorney providing advice to the Chief of the Commercial and Administrative Law Division (CALD), the Chief Counsel, the National Records Center (NRC) in Lee's Summit, MO, and USCIS officials in USCIS Headquarters. The attorney would report to the Deputy Chief of the Commercial and Administrative Law Division. This position has a particular focus on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), disclosure, and records law, and the Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA) and Bivens. Among other duties, this position involves supporting the United States Attorney's Office and other Department of Justice attorneys in federal district court FOIA/Privacy Act (PA) litigation (e.g. drafting declarations and Vaughn indices, preparing and/or reviewing court pleadings, etc.), responding to administrative appeals of FOIA/PA requests, advising the NRC and USCIS Headquarters program offices on FOIA, records, and other disclosure issues, and responding to federal, state, and administrative court subpoenas . This position also involves supporting federal court district court FTCA and Bivens litigation (e.g. preparing litigation reports, drafting declarations, preparing and/or reviewing court pleadings) and responding to administrative tort claims under the FTCA). This position involves substantial written work product and requires outstanding writing and editing skills. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills and excel at managing multiple priorities, meeting difficult deadlines, and working cooperatively with both attorneys and non-attorneys. The attorney will provide oral and written legal advice and develop and conduct training. The attorney will also need to demonstrate the ability to represent and advocate for USCIS interests in federal court litigation. An attorney with demonstrated experience in FOIA, records, and disclosure law and FTCA and Bivens is highly desirable. Additionally, knowledge of and experience with Touhy matters is also desired. In addition to the other required documents specified below, applicants must submit a writing sample related to the FOIA and/or the FTCA.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship: Candidate must be a United States Citizen and present proof of citizenship, if selected.

Qualifications by Closing date: You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Background Security Investigation: A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

A Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (SF-450) will be required for certain positions. You may be asked to complete the necessary Financial Disclosure Report to meet that requirement.

Drug Testing: If position has been identified as a Testing-Designated position under DHS's Drug-Free Workplace Plan, any individual tentatively selected will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Selective Service Registration: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, will be required to certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position(s);

  • resided in the United States; or
  • worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity; or
  • been dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.
Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination.

Examples of state-side coverage information include:
  • the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located,
  • the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program,
  • the church records for the applicant's overseas church mission,
  • and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Applicants must be able to provide information at a later date if deemed necessary.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-13 level if you: are currently an attorney in federal employment with the equivalent of being a GS-12 and at least one year experience at that level, or if not a federal employee and you have at least one year of post-J.D. professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

You qualify at the GS-14 level if you: are currently an attorney in federal employment with the equivalent of being a GS-13 and at least one year experience at that level, or if not a federal employee and you have at least two years of post-J.D. professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

You qualify at the GS-15 level if you: are currently an attorney in federal employment with the equivalent of being a GS-14 and at least one year experience at that level, or if not a federal employee and you have at least three years of post-J.D. professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an ABA-accredited law school or serve a legal apprenticeship in California, Virginia, Vermont, or Washington and pass the bar exam in order to be permitted to practice law in one (1) of those jurisdictions.

Bar Requirement GS-13 thru GS-15: Be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction).

Prior to entering on duty, all selected attorneys must provide a Certificate of Good Standing in holding an active Bar License to practice law in any state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

All applicants will be rated against the following factors:
  • Ability to resolve questions and provide accurate legal advice to both attorneys and non-attorneys on complex legal matters.
  • Ability to handle a heavy workload and meet deadlines.
  • Legal aptitude as reflected in the resume provided.
  • Quality of writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
  • Quality of the cover letter addressed to OCC summarizing interest in the position not to exceed 1 page.
  • Quality of recommendations provided (No more than 3 recommendations total).
To preview the job questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12633407.

Additional information

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position. The candidate selected will be required to obtain a "Secret" clearance and continued employment is contingent on being able to maintain at least a "Secret" clearance.

Probationary Period: The candidate selected is required to serve a probationary trial period of two (2) years.

Promotional Potential: This position starts at the 13/14/15, depending on such factors as the selectee's experience and current salary, and has promotion potential to the GS-15/10. When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Telework: USCIS provides voluntary telework opportunities for eligible employees serving in positions conducive to working at an alternate work site in accordance with agency policy. Please Note: You may be required to telework from your personal residence or another location due to the needs of an office or an emergency situation such as severe weather, natural or manmade disasters or for public health, safety or emergency preparedness measures.

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.

You will be evaluated based upon your resume, citing qualifications and work experience, your writing sample, and, if selected for interview, your responses provided during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

All information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through means, such as the interview process. The verification could occur at any stage of the application process. An exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or firing you after you begin work.

Required Documents

In addition to completing an online questionnaire, the following supporting documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement:

  • A cover letter addressed to the Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) no more than 1 page in length summarizing your background and interest in the position not otherwise evident from the other required documents.
  • Resume.
  • A writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
  • No more than 3 optional recommendations total.
  • A declaration under penalty of perjury that the applicant is a member in good standing with the bar of a state, territory of the U.S., the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and that his or her fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney have never been challenged in any jurisdiction, OR if either has been challenged, a sworn declaration concerning the facts and circumstances together with any explanation the applicant may deem appropriate. This notarized sworn statement must be dated within 3 months of the date the application is submitted.
  • If you are or have been a FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, please submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Actions, Form SF-50, which shows tenure group, promotion potential and salary, and your most recent or last performance appraisal.
Recommendations must be scanned and uploaded into the system along with other supporting documents and addressed to the Office of the Chief Counsel.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS accounts, 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.It is your responsibility to ensure that your correct documents are uploaded and received. Please only submit documents listed in the Required Documents section.

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

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

Your application must be received by 11:59PM EST on 12/20/2024. To begin, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section.

Applications will NOT be accepted by mail, email or fax.

Relocation expenses will NOT be reimbursed for this position.

Agency contact information

Latanya Jacobs
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. If you are among the candidates found minimally qualified, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.


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


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