Legal Administrative Specialist (In-Court Services) (Central Region) Job

Vacancy No. DE-12802975-25-MS Department Executive Office for Immigration Review
Salary $52,205.00 to $82,108.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/18/2025 Close Date 9/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Aurora, CODenver, COChicago, ILIndianapolis, IN


Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U. S. Department of Justice. The Legal Administrative Specialist provides a range of legal support functions to include review and processing of documents, maintenance of case files, and coordination of proceedings for master calendar hearings.

This is a Competitive Service position; additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.

Duties

As a Legal Administrative Specialist (In-Court Services) (Central Region) GS- 0901-9/11, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

  • Organizing case files for Master Calendar Hearings;
  • Generating, assembling and providing required case files to the Immigration Judge;
  • Providing assistance with processing inquiries, legal notices and calendaring processes and procedures;
  • Processing legal correspondence and legal documents;
  • Processing motions, petitions, and other legal documentation;
  • Preparing reports and maintain/edit case related data and information using an automated information system.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required
  • You must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
  • Probationary period will apply.
  • May be required to file a Financial Disclosure.
  • Salary payments must be by direct deposit to a financial institution.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Legal Administrative Specialist (In-Court Services) (Central Region) 0901 -09 (In-court Services) position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:
  • Assisting with processing court related actions during court proceedings by generating, pulling, organizing, assembling, and providing required case files;
  • Processing legal correspondence and legal documents; and
  • Providing assistance in processing inquiries, legal notices, calendaring processes and procedures.
(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience.)

OR

Education: You must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or LL.B. or J.D., that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: Must have a combination of experience and education which totals 100% of the necessary experience and education needed to qualify for this position. (Only graduate education beyond one year, i.e., 18 semester hours, may be combined with experience under this provision.) NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.

In order to qualify for the Legal Administrative Specialist (In-Court Services) (Central Region) 0901 -11 (In-court Services) position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:
  • Processing court related actions during court proceedings by generating, pulling, organizing, assembling, cross-referencing and providing required case files;
  • Analyzing and evaluating administrative legal cases for hearings;
  • Providing assistance in processing inquiries, legal notices, calendaring processes and procedures; and
  • Processing motions, petitions, and other legal documentation.
(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience.)

OR

Education: Must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

(You must submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: Must have a combination of experience and education which totals 100% of the necessary experience and education needed to qualify for this position. (Only graduate education beyond one year, i.e., 18 semester hours, may be combined with experience under this provision.) NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts for verification.


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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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

Education

ARE YOU USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Applicants can verify accreditation by clicking here. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. (Note: If you are selected for this position based on education, an official transcript will be required, prior to your first day.) You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in accredited U.S. education programs; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.

Translated transcripts are required.

Additional information

Alternative work schedule options may be available. Tour of duty may include Saturdays.

Conditions of Employment: Only U.S. Citizens or Nationals are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ applicants, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, whose job location is with the U.S., must meet the residency requirement. For a total of three (not necessarily consecutive years) of the five years immediately prior to applying for a position, the applicant must have: 1) resided in the U.S., 2) worked for the U.S. overseas in a Federal or military capacity; or 3) been a dependent of a Federal or military employee serving oversees.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Note: Multiple selections may be made from this announcement. Salaries listed above are an approximation and are subject to duty station locality adjustment.


Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Applicants applying under Delegated Examining (all U.S. citizens) procedures will be rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. Candidates placed in the "Best Qualified" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager for further review and consideration.Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.NOTE: 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/or specialized experience that is required. Your resume MUST contain your full name, some form of contact information (phone number, email address and/or living address), and the following employment information:

  • Employer name and location for each position held.
  • From and to dates (MM/YY-MM/YY or from MM/YY to "present") for each position held. The month and year is required to fully credit your time.
  • For part-time positions, please include number of hours worked per week, positions that do not include this information will be assumed as full-time (40 hours a week).
  • Grade/levels held for each federal position. (Ex. GS-11; IR-06; FV-G…etc.)
  • Detailed descriptions of experience under each position held. (Applicants must provide specific supporting examples to show that they meet the qualifications of the position shown in the announcement.)
  • Any submitted documents not required or requested for this vacancy will not be considered (i.e. training certificates, case filings, letter of recommendations, etc.).
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Required Documents

Your complete Application Package (containing the above required documents) must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern on the closing date of the announcement.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. (Please see the How You Will Be Evaluated section)
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable to you.

  • Transcripts, if qualifying based on education. (Must include your name, college name and address, courses, dates attended, major and degree, cumulative grade point average (GPA), any honors received, and date the degree was awarded/conferred.)
  • CTAP/ICTAP documents (Please see the Additional Information section)
  • Veterans' Preference and documents: (DD214 MEMBER-4 copy, SF-15, and required documentation that is acceptable proof of your claim for preference.) If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you claim on your resume. You must submit a DD214 Member-4 Copy,"Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and separation under honorable conditions. If you are entitled to veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, award of the Purple Heart, or derived preference, you must submit an SF15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference," and required documentation that is acceptable proof of your claim for preference. (e.g. An official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying the veteran's service-connected disability and combined disability rating.) For more information on Veterans' Preference click here.
  • Schedule A: To be considered for a Schedule A appointment, you must submit proof of your disability. This proof may be in the form of documentation obtained from licensed medical professionals, state or private vocational rehabilitation specialists, or any Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits. You must submit valid documentation regardless of the date of determination of your disability. Proof of disability documentation needs to specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history or need for accommodation. To view sample Schedule A proof of disability letters click here.The Schedule A letter must be separate from any Veterans' Preference documentation.
  • Veterans eligible for a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA). You must submit a copy of your DD-214. NOTE: VRA only applies to positions at the GS-11 level and below.
  • Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
  • Active Duty Service Members expected to be released or discharged from active duty service may submit a written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Without this documentation, you will not receive tentative veterans' preference and your application will be evaluated based on the job application materials submitted. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment.

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

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Occupational questionnaire can be previewed here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12802975
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Agency contact information

EOIR HR Services
Address
Office of the Chief Immigration Judge
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
US

Next steps

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

You will be notified of your application status during the hiring process, as applicable. You may check your application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking "Application Status". The process may take up to 6 weeks. The four points of notification are:

  • Application Received or Application Incomplete
  • Minimum Qualification Requirement Met/Not Met
  • Eligible (Application Referred) or Ineligible (Application Not referred)
  • Selected or Not Selected
*Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview. You will receive notice via email once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).

Additional Locations

  • Louisville Immigration Court Louisville, KY
  • Baton Rouge Immigration Court Baton Rouge, LA
  • LaSalle Immigration Court Jena, LA
  • New Orleans Immigration Court New Orleans, LA
  • Oakdale Immigration Court Oakdale, LA
  • Fort Snelling Immigration Court Fort Snelling, MN
  • Kansas City Immigration Court Kansas City, MO
  • Omaha Immigration Court Omaha, NE
  • Otero Immigration Court Otero County, NM
  • Memphis Immigration Court Memphis, TN
  • Conroe Immigration Court Conroe, TX
  • Dallas Immigration Court Dallas, TX
  • El Paso Immigration Court El Paso, TX
  • Fort Worth Immigration Court Fort Worth, TX
  • Harlingen Immigration Court Harlingen, TX
  • Houston Immigration Court (Jefferson Street) Houston, TX
  • Houston Immigration Court (Greenspoint Park ) Houston, TX
  • Houston Immigration Court (S. Gessner Road) Houston, TX
  • Laredo Immigration Court Laredo, TX
  • Pearsall Immigration Court Pearsall, TX
  • Port Isabel Immigration Court Port Isabel, TX
  • San Antonio Immigration Court San Antonio, TX
  • Salt Lake City Immigration Court Salt Lake City, UT


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


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