
Job Description
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Chief Counsel, located in San Francisco, CA.
Duties The Office of Chief Counsel is one of the Government's largest and oldest legal offices. OCC attorneys work on cutting-edge legal issues and provide critical legal guidance across the CBP portfolio, including trade enforcement, search and seizure, immigration, and government ethics. They also represent the agency in labor and employment matters and provide litigation support to the Department of Justice. This position starts at a salary of $183,120.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $195,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10). This position is that of an Assistant Chief Counsel. The Office of Chief Counsel provides legal guidance to, and legal representation of, CBP management in matters relating to the activities and functions of CBP. The Office is also responsible for reviewing proposed actions to ensure compliance with legal requirements, preparing formal legal opinions, preparing or reviewing responses in all court actions, civil or criminal, involving CBP, and developing, implementing, and evaluating nationwide programs and procedures within its functional areas. The Office of the Chief Counsel has both a Headquarters and a field structure. The Headquarters office is located in Washington, D.C. and its activities are divided broadly into three functional areas: Ethics, Labor and Employment; Enforcement and Operations; and Trade and Finance, under the supervision of Associate Chief Counsels. The field structure consists of Associate and Assistant Chief Counsels located in major cities across the United States and who advise CBP field managers in their geographic areas. Typical work assignments include: Serving as the senior principal attorney to all operating components of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) including, the Office of Field Operations, the ports under that office, the Office of Regulatory Audit, the Border Patrol and the Office of Air & Marine; Responding to and providing legal guidance to clients on the interpretation of Customs, Immigration and related laws, the scope of authority of CBP officials, the legal implications of their actions, and litigation affecting CBP, both criminal and civil; Reviewing cases for possible appeal where a decision is unfavorable to the government, handling appeals or portions thereof including preparation of motions and briefs and the presentation of oral arguments at the request of the Department of Justice, and directing the representation of CBP before other forums such as state courts and administrative agencies; Managing the legal office, planning and implementing a legal program; and Supervising and training attorneys and support staff, reviewing work assignments, and making recommendations on hiring, promotion and awards. Salary- $183,120 - $195,200/year