Duties

Summary

The position is located in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Headquarters (HQ). The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) is the legal arm of ICE, the largest investigative agency of DHS, and, as such, provides expert mission-critical legal services, counsel and training to support ICE initiatives and programs vital to protecting U.S. national security.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Principal Legal Advisor for FLO and is primarily responsible for assisting in the oversight and management of OPLA's 25 field locations. The duties of the position include: (1) Headquarters oversight and management of the OPLA field locations with respect to their leadership of attorney and support staff; (2) direct supervision of assigned OPLA Chief Counsel, including several who are members of the Senior Executive Service; (3) tracking of significant cases and initiatives; (4) direction and oversight of the client services and litigation efforts of field attorney staff, including closely working with other OPLA Headquarters divisions; (5) reviewing executive correspondence for Senior Leadership, members of Congress, and outside stakeholders; (6) representation of FLO in meetings and as liaison with DHS stakeholders, including the private bar, non-governmental organizations, EOIR and other government agencies; (7) oversight of field metrics provided internally and to DHS, including the preparation and presentation of various reports on FLO metrics and activities to Senior Leadership; (8) representation of DHS at various high level government and public sector meetings; (9) management of financial resources, including budget formulation and execution; (10) application of Collective Bargaining Agreements in conformity with federal labor law; (11) the planning and execution of training programs for managers, attorneys, and support staff; and (12) overall strategic planning for OPLA Headquarters and the field.

The incumbent provides guidance and support in connection with matters that may include highly controversial or sensitive issues, or previously undecided questions where adverse decisions would negatively affect ICE operations. The incumbent oversees the provision of crucial litigation support and advice to U.S. Attorneys' Offices and OIL in the prosecution and defense of cases before the federal courts on matters related to the operations of DHS and ICE. The incumbent will also advise and represent ICE in special interest and other sensitive cases, including terrorism, human rights violator, and national security matters.


The work requires the ability to conceptualize, develop, and recommend courses of action, and the ability to explain ICE programs and policies to the Department, Congress, professional groups, other Federal agencies, and high-ranking officials in the private sector. You will direct the provision of a full range of legal advice and services and participate in the development of ICE policies, directives, and procedures. You will ensure they are consistent with the intent of the law and are administratively sound, efficient, and economical in operation.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• You must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• You may be required to undergo periodic drug testing.
• You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
• Selectee will be required to complete form OGE-278, Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Form.
• Must have a J.D Law Degree

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualification(s) and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Technical Qualification(s) listed below. We recommend that your résumé and ECQ responses emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions.

The application process used to recruit for this position is the Traditional-Method, Therefore, provide separate narrative responses, not to exceed two (2) pages for each of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and no more than two (2) pages for each of the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

**If you are a current or reinstatement eligible Career SES member or a graduate of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and your ECQs have been previously certified by OPM's Qualifications Review Board, you are not required to address the ECQs. However, you MUST provide separate narrative responses addressing all mandatory TQs. Current and reinstatement eligible SES members, please include with your application a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) documenting your career appointment to the SES. SESCDP graduates, please include a copy of your OPM certificate. **

Executive Core Qualifications - Mandatory

You will be evaluated on the following Executive Core Qualifications:

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, and Vision

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, and Team Building

ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high- quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, and Technical Credibility

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, and Technology Management

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, and Influencing/Negotiating

These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.

A sample executive resume and ECQ narratives can be viewed on this OPM link (resume indexed on pages 30-39 and ECQ narratives indexed on pages 9-22) http://www.opm.gov/ses/reference/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf

Detailed information on the Executive Core Qualifications is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/qualify.asp

Technical Qualifications - Mandatory

You will be evaluated on the following Technical Qualifications:

TQ-1: Expertise in providing legal advice and oversight of legal services relating to a wide range of complex issues (e.g., litigation, immigration, advice to law enforcement authorities, etc.) and in providing advice to senior officials on the internal administration of a large, diverse organization.

TQ-2: Demonstrated management abilities involving both legal and administrative matters in an agency. Demonstrated ability to work with legal and policy professionals to evaluate and develop agency objectives, authorities and programs.

FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Education

This position has a basic education requirement.
A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution is required for this position.

You must possess a law degree from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and must not be under any order of any court suspending, enjoining, retraining, disbarring, or otherwise restricting you in the practice of law.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, if selected, you will be required to 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 more information on credential evaluation, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/workrecog.doc .

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Employee Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. ( https://www.opm.gov/news/releases/2016/08/newly-established-leave-policy-gives-disabled-veterans-more-time-to-address-medical-issues-1/)

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/SCIclearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitivity position. This review includes 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.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's Preference does NOT apply to the SES positions.

Relocation expenses may be paid depending on funding availability.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U. S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to 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.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments and experience. Your resume, ECQ and TQ narrative statements will be evaluated by an SES rating and ranking panel, and afterwards highly qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official. The DHS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority where final interviews and reference checks may occur. Unless you have already been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) in the past, your ECQs must be certified by an OPM/QRB before appointment can occur.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

Your Resume should not exceed five (5) pages. Exceeding the specified page limits may result in lost consideration.

Your responses to the Executive Core Qualifications - Written narratives addressing each ECQ generally not to exceed 2 pages per ECQ for a total of no more than 10 pages. NOTE: If you are graduate from an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program or are a current or former Career Senior Executive Service member, you do not need to respond to the ECQs.

Your responses to the Mandatory Technical Qualifications - Written narratives addressing the Mandatory Technical Qualification(s) (MTQ) not to exceed two (2) page for each MTQ.

Are you a current or a former career Senior Executive Service (SES) member? You must provide a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing their current status or reinstatement eligibility.

Are you a current or a former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility? You must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your position, title, series, grade, and eligibility.

Are you a graduate from an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program? - Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their certification. Your status must be clearly stated in your resume.

A complete online Occupational Questionnaire.

Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? You must submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
- Agency
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.