This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Immigration Law Division (IMM). The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal advice, litigation support, and occasional training for DHS headquarters activities and programs in the area of immigration law, with respect to both immigration enforcement and immigration benefits. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Basic Requirements: GS-14 / GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. Specialized Experience: The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application. You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal government. Specialized experience for this position is providing legal advice and support on a wide range of immigration enforcement and benefits issues, including family- and employment-based immigration; non-immigrant classifications; asylum and refugee resettlement; naturalization and nationality; arrest, detention, and removal; E-Verify and worksite enforcement; Visa Waiver Program; grounds of inadmissibility and deportability (including criminal and terrorism-related grounds) and related waiver and exemption authorities; inspection and border enforcement authorities; administrative and federal court litigation of immigration cases; and constitutional law relating to noncitizens and immigration (e.g., Fourth and Fifth Amendments, federal preemption). An Attorney Advisor for Immigration is responsible for addressing exceptionally complex and difficult legal and policy questions relating to immigration and nationality, spanning the full range of immigration enforcement and benefits matters; drafting legal opinions; interpreting and applying judicial and administrative decisions; drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, regulations, decisions, and other legal instruments; and coordinating legal positions with DHS component counsel offices (e.g., U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection). This position requires excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills (including knowledge of canons of statutory construction and primary immigration statutes, regulations, and case law), and demonstrated progressive responsibility. Advanced understanding of administrative law principles is preferred but not required. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
As an Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-14/15, your typical work assignments may include: Researching, reviewing, and analyzing court decisions, legislation, regulations, correspondence, field guidance, congressional reports, and congressional testimony; drafting legal memoranda, memoranda of agreement and understanding, and other legal documents. Providing oral and written legal advice to OGC leadership and DHS headquarters clients on a wide range of immigration law issues, including family- and employment-based immigration; non-immigrant classifications, asylum and refugee resettlement; naturalization and nationality; arrest, detention, and removal; E-Verify and worksite enforcement; Visa Waiver Program; grounds of inadmissibility and deportability (including criminal and terrorism-related grounds) and related waiver and exemption authorities; inspection and border enforcement authorities; administrative and federal court litigation of immigration cases; and constitutional law relating to noncitizens and immigration (e.g., Fourth and Fifth Amendments, federal preemption). Coordinating and collaborating with attorneys in other OGC divisions (e.g., Legal Counsel Division, Regulatory Affairs Law Division, Operations and Enforcement Law Division) and with DHS component counsel (especially U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of the Chief Counsel). Providing litigation support to ICE (e.g., significant appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals or the Attorney General) and the Department of Justice (significant federal court litigation) in immigration matters. Representing DHS in discussions, negotiations, briefings and consultations with other Executive Branch agencies (e.g., Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor), Congress, and international organizations regarding legal matters of interest. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.