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General Attorney

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jul 5, 2022
Duties

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) is seeking an attorney for a position within the District Court Litigation Division (DCLD) in Washington, D.C. DCLD attorneys serve as part of a dynamic team whose work contributes to activities that are integral to ICE's overall mission.

The incumbent of this position will directly support the missions of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, and other ICE components charged by Congress to enforce the immigration and customs laws of the United States.

Assignments within DCLD typically are fast-paced and involve work of a high-profile nature. DCLD defends ICE's operational prerogatives and activities, its people, and its budget by zealously representing agency interests in civil litigation and through the adjudication of "administrative tort claims". DCLD's attorneys serve as agency counsel and manage federal civil litigation against ICE, including reviewing documents for responsiveness and privilege during discovery, and cases that otherwise impact ICE equities. DCLD attorneys work closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Headquarters Office of General Counsel and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) entities, including U.S. Attorney's Offices, the Office of Immigration Litigation, and the Torts Branch. DCLD assists ICE personnel and DOJ in all aspects of federal litigation, including the development of legal strategy and arguments, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, in cases ranging from common-law tort suits, lawsuits under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents , 403 U.S. 388 (1971), and claims seeking injunctive or declaratory relief, including "class action" habeas corpus relief.

DCLD also provides oral and written advice to ICE leadership and employees regarding potential litigation risks, represents ICE's interests in litigation-related discussions with other agencies and DHS components, and adjudicates administrative claims for personal injuries and property damage pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2671-2680. The selected applicant will be given significant responsibilities on an immediate basis.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen for federal employment.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
  • Relevant Experience. Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Complete Application Package (see How to Apply Tab).
  • You may be required to serve a two-year trial period, if the requirement has not been met.
  • You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, and be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have the following experience and/or skills:
  • Knowledge of immigration, customs, constitutional, or tort law and experience handling federal court matters, including discovery, is preferred;
  • Demonstrating superior legal research, analysis, and evaluation skills; providing legal oral and written advice; drafting legal opinions that contain complex legal analysis while balancing policy consideration; possessing well-developed written advocacy, organizational, and communication skills;
  • Possession of strong interpersonal relationship skills and the ability to work independently in a fast pace, high profile environment, and willingness to learn new areas of the law are essential;
  • SPECIAL NOTE: While litigation experience is not required, it is highly preferred.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Education

Applicants must be a graduate of a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If qualifying based on your education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html .

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

Additional information

E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.

Promotion Potential: This position has promotion potential to the GS-15. When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.

Notice to Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the Excepted Service; however, OPLA considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.

Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must attach supporting documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their submissions. Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF-15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting documents, is available at https://www.opm.gov/

Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment.

Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you must complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment , and sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for Top Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 C.F.R. § 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. All applicants tentatively selected for employment are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative result.

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