Summary
This position is located in the U. S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review/Office of the General Counsel. The OGC staff responds to all Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests and is the designated point of contact regarding Standards of Conduct and other ethics guidance for all agency employees.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens and Nationals
Duties
About the Office
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice on a wide variety of matters involving
the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and its employees in the performance of their official duties. OGC serves as the principal point of contact and agency counsel for EOIR with other Department of Justice (DOJ) offices and government agencies on all EOIR-related legal matters. The Employee/Labor Relations (ELR) Unit of OGC advises agency managers on labor and employment matters, defends EOIR in all phases of employment-related litigation, monitors investigations conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility in the DOJ, and defends against unfair labor practices charges. The OGC staff responds to all Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests and is the designated point of contact regarding Standards of Conduct and other ethics guidance for all EOIR employees. OGC also administers the Records Information Management and Privacy Programs, Reasonable Accommodations, Attorney Discipline Program and the Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program.
Job Description
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is seeking an Attorney who will act as the Supervisory Attorney Advisor in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters. The Supervisory Attorney directs staff activities and administers and provides legal counsel and advice to the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel on matters pertaining to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and other laws.
Additionally, the Supervisory Attorney Advisor (FOIA) performs duties such as but not limited to:
- Develops guidelines and establishes procedures concerning implementation of the agency FOIA and Privacy Act (PA).
- Serves as the agency's primary legal authority on FOIA and Privacy Act statutes, providing guidance on all matters related to requests for Bureau records under these laws.
- Directs coordination with intra-agency FOIA matters with other DOJ components, and
interagency consultations in conjunction with other Attorneys for FOIA Litigation.
- Advises staff regarding policies, procedures, and directives of higher-level management.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- You must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
- A two-year trial period may be required.
- 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 Supervisory Attorney Advisor (FOIA) position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B or a J.D. degree.
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
Required Experience:
- Applicants must have four (4) full years (48 months) of post LL.B or J.D. professional legal experience.
(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)
Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have the following experience:
- Providing technical and administrative supervision over attorneys and professional staff within an organization.
- Planning and assigning work to subordinate attorneys based on priorities and difficulty of the assignment.
- Providing input and advice to Senior Officials on policy decisions
- Coordinating with other government offices and/or agencies on legal matters.
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-MM/YYYY 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.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
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. Translated transcripts are required. For further information, click here.
Additional information
This position may have a remote option with management approval.
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.
Additional positions maybe filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
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.
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.
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.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.).
(ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION PRIOR TO FINAL SELECTION.)
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by the closing date of this announcement, which includes:
- Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional
- Copy of J.D., or equivalent degree (official transcript with conferred status is acceptable)
- Other supporting documents (submit if applicable to you):
- A writing sample that demonstrates the candidate's ability to author legal documents. This document cannot exceed 10 (ten pages)
- Bar Certificate - in Good Standing
- Most recent SF50 (if applicable)
- A statement indicating whether you are or have been a political appointee in the past five (5) years (if applicable)
- Veterans' documentation: DD-214 Member 4 copy, dated VA Letter, SF-15 (If Applicable)
Note: Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. 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-MM/YYYY 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.
How to Apply
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/02/2026, the closing date of the announcement.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the assessment questionnaire, which can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12966262.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
- It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- 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.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact weston.v.sperbeck@usdoj.gov. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement.
Next steps
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 Eligible (Application Not referred)
- Selected or Not Selected
If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.