Attorney Advisor

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U. S. Department of Justice. Incumbent serves as an Attorney Advisor (General) performing duties in support of the General Counsel's different units, including Immigration Law Unit, General Law Unit, Employee and Labor Relations Unit, Fraud Prevention Unit, Attorney Discipline Unit, Ethics Unit, and Freedom of Information Act Unit.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Researches, analyzes, and provides legal interpretation on a wide range of federal statutes, including, but not limited to, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the U.S. Constitution, and other applicable laws, to provide counsel to senior officials regarding immigration proceedings and/or operating procedures.
• Provides counsel and guidance to explain legal considerations and analysis affecting component program operations, as required for compliance with federal law, including but not limited to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
• Determines requirements for compliance with these statutes and regulations and disseminates guidance to agency officials.
• Develops and recommends agency position on immigration litigation matters.
• Reviews proposed changes in applicable laws and regulations, solicits comments, and formulates proposed EOIR positions for presentations to senior agency officials, Congress, the Executive, and/or regulatory agencies
• Represents EOIR as a trial attorney in complex and sensitive cases concerning all facets of federal labor and employment laws before Administrative Judges of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merits Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and federal courts. Coordinates the development and presentation of agency representation from initial complaint or charge until conclusion of the administrative process.
• Provides advice and legal guidance to management officials, and opinions on extremely complex legal issues of factual questions, often involving conflicting interest, including employee disciplinary actions, performance management, grievances, equal employment opportunity issues and labor relations matters.
• Reviews available evidence, determining whether attorney complaints have prima facie merit and identifying the rules of professional conduct that may have been violated. Drafts written inquiries to the subject practitioners regarding prima facie meritorious complaints to obtain the practitioner's response to the allegations.
• Evaluates a practitioner's response to the allegations, if any, and recommending the appropriate course of action to resolve a complaint. Resolutions may include dismissing the complaint, issuing confidential discipline in the form of warning letter or informal admonition, or initiating formal disciplinary proceedings. Drafting disposition letters for dismissals or confidential discipline.
• Engages in litigation related to summary disciplinary proceedings for practitioners who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses or who have been suspended or disbarred, or while a disciplinary investigation or proceeding is pending, have resigned from a Federal court or the highest court of any state, possession, or territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Litigation-related work includes drafting or reviewing petitions for immediate suspension or notices of intent to discipline to be filed with the BIA, and when necessary, drafting responses to pleadings filed by subject practitioners.
• Performs other related ad hoc duties as assigned, including matters relating to ethics, FOIA, privacy, fraud, and employee relations.

Salary

• $102,415 - $187,093/year

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• A two year trial period will 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.
• Employment is contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Security clearance may be required.
• Moving and Relocation Expenses are not authorized.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B. or a J.D. degree. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your degree and the name of the College or University from which it was conferred/awarded.)

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:

For GS-12: Applicants must have one (1) full year (12 months/52 weeks) of post J.D. or LL.B professional legal experience that includes the following:

• Monitoring and examining formal filings for legal sufficiency and reviewing submissions from party representatives to ensure procedural requirements are met;
• Developing and preparing interpretive and administrative documents under relevant statutes and regulations; AND
• Demonstrating a commitment to personal and organizational success.

For GS-13: Applicants must have two (2) full years (24 months) of post J.D. or LL.B professional legal experience that includes the following:

• Drafting legal memoranda, opinions, decisions, briefs, or other legal documents issues with other components;
• Providing legal advice, analysis, and recommendations on complex legal matters;
• Reviewing and evaluating cases, records, or legal documents for legal sufficiency; AND
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, and agency policies

For GS-14: Applicants must have three (3) full years (36 months) of post J.D. or LL.B professional legal experience that includes the following:

• Managing litigation matters, including developing litigation strategy, coordinating agency resources, drafting pleadings, responding to discovery, and negotiating settlements;
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, and policy with significant programmatic or legal impact;
• Preparing oral and written legal opinions and analysis responding to the legal and policy questions raised and emphasizing key legal issues; AND
• Representing or serving as lead counsel for the agency or program in legal proceedings, hearings, appeals, or negotiations.

Writing Sample: In addition to the above-stated qualifications, applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates their ability to author legal documents to be considered for this position. Only the first 10 (ten pages) pages will be reviewed. This document cannot exceed10 (ten pages).

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

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. Translated transcripts are required. For further information, click here. Other Information 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. Incumbent serves as an Attorney Advisor (General) performing duties in support of the General Counsel's different units, including Immigration Law Unit, General Law Unit, Employee and Labor Relations Unit, Fraud Prevention Unit, Attorney Discipline Unit, Ethics Unit, and Freedom of Information Act Unit. It is expected that the successful applicants will be primarily assigned to one of the previously mentioned units based upon the needs of the Agency, taking into account the applicants' preferences If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact EOIR.HR_Application_Review@usdoj.gov You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement. 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. Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by the closing date of this announcement, which includes:

1. Your Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional.

You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following information for each job entry listed in your employment history:
-Official position title,
-Employer name and contact information,
-Start and end dates (including month and year),
-Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
-A list of duties performed and accomplishments.
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. 3. Writing Sample (only the first 10 pages will be reviewed. Not to exceed ten (10) pages)
4. Other supporting documents (submit if applicable to you):

• Veterans' documentation (DD-214 (Member 4 copy), dated VA Letter, SF-15)
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.

Note: If selected for an interview, you may be asked to provide SF-50 and most recent performance appraisal, if applicable. 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 (EST) on 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 occupational questionnaire, which can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12882663.
* 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.