Attorney Advisor

Summary This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U. S. Department of Justice. Incumbent serves as Attorney Advisor (General) performing duties regarding management of federal litigation, researching and analyzing federal immigration law and policy, such as the Immigration and Nationality Act, and other Immigration Law Unit duties. Additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Serves as agency counsel for federal court litigation against the agency that relates to immigration law and policy matters, including individual and class action matters, and provides substantive assistance to DOJ counsel in order to: accurately represent the agency's equities and manage all aspects of litigation, including developing litigation strategy, coordinating agency resources, drafting pleadings, responding to discovery, negotiating settlements and attending hearings to support DOJ counsel, as needed. Oversees guidance related to and implementation of any federal court orders resulting from judicial and administrative proceedings against EOIR. Researches, analyzes and provides legal interpretation of a wide range of federal statutes including, but not limited to, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the U.S. Constitution and other applicable laws, to provide counsel to senior officials regarding immigration proceedings and/or operating procedures. Determines requirements for compliance with these statutes and regulations and disseminates guidance to agency officials. Advises Supervisory Attorney Advisor, Deputy General Counsel, and General Counsel on extremely complex and controversial matters before EOIR, which often critically affect the operations of the agency. Undertakes extensive legal research, drafts legal opinions and analysis responding to the questions raised and emphasizing key legal issues, and coordinates with other components within EOIR to address legal issues. Develops and recommends agency positions seeking further review of federal court decisions on immigration litigation matters. Advises the agency on what changes should be made to regulations related to immigration proceedings and agency operations so that these regulations will be legally correct and withstand judicial scrutiny. Reviews proposed changes in immigration laws and regulations, solicits comments, and formulates EOIR positions for presentation to Congress and/or regulatory agencies. Advises on matters affecting EOIR's legislative proposals and prepares the legal position of EOIR in response to requests by other government and private stakeholders. Provides legal assistance to other components within EOIR's Office of the General Counsel. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor (General) position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B., LL.M., 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-14: Applicants must have three (3) full years (36 months) of post J.D., LL.M., or LL.B professional legal experience. Qualifying professional legal experience includes: Managing litigation matters, including developing litigation strategy, coordinating agency resources, drafting pleadings, responding to discovery, and negotiating settlements; Researching, analyzing and providing oral and written legal interpretation of a wide range of federal statutes including, but not limited to, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the U.S. Constitution and other applicable laws related to immigration proceedings and/or operating procedures of a federal agency; Reviewing proposed changes to laws and regulations, soliciting comments, and formulating agency positions; Preparing oral and written legal opinions and analysis responding to the legal and policy questions raised and emphasizing key legal issues; and, Strong oral communication and negotiation skills in order to build effective working relationships with all levels of agency personnel, as well as the ability to represent the agency and persuade individuals, attorneys, government officials and others to accept legal decisions, or changes in policy, procedures, laws and regulations. For GS-15: Applicants must have four (4) full years (48 months) of post J.D., LL.M., or LL.B professional legal experience. Qualifying professional legal experience includes: Managing litigation matters, including developing litigation strategy, coordinating agency resources, drafting pleadings, responding to discovery, and negotiating settlements; Researching, analyzing and providing oral and written legal interpretation of a wide range of federal statutes including, but not limited to, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the U.S. Constitution and other applicable laws related to immigration proceedings and/or operating procedures of a federal agency; Reviewing proposed changes to laws and regulations, soliciting comments, and formulating agency positions; Preparing oral and written legal opinions and analysis responding to the legal and policy questions raised and emphasizing key legal issues; and, Strong oral communication and negotiation skills in order to build effective working relationships with all levels of agency personnel, as well as the ability to represent the agency and persuade individuals, attorneys, government officials and others to accept legal decisions, or changes in policy, procedures, laws and regulations. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have experience with the following: Managing federal litigation, including drafting complex legal pleadings, coordinating discovery and representing clients in settlement negotiations. Providing legal counsel on a variety of complex legal issues affecting agency operations and legal compliance, including by written and oral presentations. Providing legal recommendations to senior officials in order to assess litigation and policy risks. Drafting and reviewing regulatory changes in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Working with other government offices to achieve positive outcomes in litigation, policy and operational matters. NOTE: Qualifying experience is calculated only after receipt of J.D., LL.M. or LL.B. 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. 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 an accredited U.S. education program; 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 This position is open to Competitive Merit Promotion, Non-Competitive, and Special Hiring Authority eligibles. You must meet the requirements for one of the following categories to be eligible. 1. A current permanent competitive service employee; former Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service; or former Federal employee who served on a career conditional appointment without achieving career status in the competitive service who was separated less than three years ago. You must submit an SF-50 that reflects career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1). 2. A Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge. To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. NOTE: Current career/career conditional federal employees applying under VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show they meet time-in-grade. 3. A 30% or more Disabled Veteran: You must submit your DD214, a completed SF-15, and letter from the VA dated 1991 or later. 4. Military spouses are eligible if their active duty military spouse: 1) receives a Permanent Change of Station move; 2) has a 100% disability rating; or 3) died while on active duty. Please submit supporting documentation. 5. Schedule A: The DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal opportunity to be hired and advanced based on merit. 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. 6. A Former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers Appointment. Please submit documentation to be considered. 7. Other non-competitive authorities (please see announcement language for applicable authorities). 8. A current or former Land Management Bureau employee who has served at least 24 months under a time-limited competitive appointment who is eligible for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.