Organizational Location: This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies at OPLA Field Office locations. Although the announcement is advertised for multiple locations, it is not intended to convey that vacancies will be filled at all locations. The salary range listed is the base salary rate; locality pay is not included in this figure. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
Summary
Organizational Location: This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies at OPLA Field Office locations. Although the announcement is advertised for multiple locations, it is not intended to convey that vacancies will be filled at all locations. The salary range listed is the base salary rate; locality pay is not included in this figure. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
ICE is the investigative arm of DHS, and our attorneys help enforce the immigration and customs laws of the United States. The responsibilities of the position consist primarily of representation of the United States Government in removal proceedings before Immigration Judges, frequently involving applicants for asylum or for other forms of relief under immigration laws. Additional duties include providing legal advice and support to the other ICE components and litigation support to United States Attorney's Offices in immigration and/or customs matters. The position also involves appellate advocacy before the Board of Immigration Appeals, including the preparation of briefs and other pleadings.
Applicants must possess the following characteristics and competencies: integrity, judgment, organizational skills, communication skills, reliability, perseverance, decisiveness, initiative, professionalism, the ability to function independently and as part of a team, interpersonal relationship skills, and outstanding written and oral advocacy skills. The selectees will be required to have or be able to obtain a security clearance at the Secret level.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
Must pass background investigation and drug screen for federal employment
Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
Relevant Experience (see Qualifications and Evaluations Tab)
Complete Application Package (see How to Apply Tab)
Qualifications
Applicants with fewer than five (5) years of experience practicing law must submit a copy of their law school transcript and grade point average or class ranking as part of the application package.
Qualifications by Cut-off Dates: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time by the cut off dates listed in the "How You Will be Evaluated" section order to be considered for that cut-off period. 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.
Additional information
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
E-Verify: 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.
Suitability: 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.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, 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 Public Trust 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.
Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this position is GS-14. Management may select at any of the grade levels announced (GS-11, GS-12, GS-13 or GS-14) for which an applicant is qualified. Applicants selected below the full performance level of GS-14 will have promotion opportunity to the full performance level without further competition when the incumbent is eligible and recommended by management for promotion. 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.
Trial Period: New attorneys to the Federal government will be required to serve a trial period of 2 years.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
Notice to Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the Excepted Service; however, the OPLA considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and 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 from the Office of Personnel Management Website 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements
This Open Continuous announcement allows acceptance of applications through the closing date. The intent of this announcement is to establish a standing register of qualified candidates and refer them for job consideration when vacancies occur. Applicants will be considered for a maximum of three (3) locations as indicated on the occupational questionnaire. The first cut-off date for receipt of applications to be considered will be November 16, 2018; subsequent cut-off dates will be April 1, 2019; July 1, 2019; and September 30, 2019.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Your resume, cover letter, and other applicant information should reflect the breadth of your experience, expertise, demonstrated ability, and/or training.
All the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. You must include the documentation below (in addition to specific information requested elsewhere in the vacancy announcement) to receive consideration for this position. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Resume: A resume that includes announcement number, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Transcript: You must submit a copy of your transcript and grade-point average or class ranking, to prove that you possess a Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar (ABA)-accredited law school if you graduated within the past five years. If you have five years or more practicing law, your transcript is not required.
Bar Membership: You must submit proof of your current membership (card or other documentary evidence) or certificate of good standing from the bar to which you are licensed. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Certificate of Good Standing: If you are selected, before you enter on duty you must submit proof that you are a 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 you do not have a bar card or other documentary evidence as proof of your current membership, you must submit a certificate of good standing. The proof must be dated within six months of the date this application is submitted.
Writing Sample: A writing sample must be submitted as part of your application package. It should not exceed ten (10) double-spaced pages. Please do not submit attachments. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Cover Letter: You must submit a cover letter detailing the skills, legal experience, and interests that qualify you for the position with your application package. In your cover letter, please list the locations [a maximum of three (3)] you are applying to as indicated on the occupational questionnaire in order of preference. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
It must contain the following information:
your full name;
home address;
home and work e-mail addresses;
home, work, and cell telephone numbers;
name of the law school, year of graduation, and year admitted to the bar
Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows competitive service appointment, tenure group, and salary.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) by the cut-off dates listed in order to be considered for that cut-off period.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by that cut-off date, you will not be considered until the following cut-off date. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. Applicants must apply online. If you need further assistance, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL LEGAL ADVISOR
7701 N Stemmons Freeway
DALLAS, TX 75247
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, and a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or if you were referred to the hiring official for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. You must include the documentation below (in addition to specific information requested elsewhere in the vacancy announcement) to receive consideration for this position. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Resume: A resume that includes announcement number, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Transcript: You must submit a copy of your transcript and grade-point average or class ranking, to prove that you possess a Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar (ABA)-accredited law school if you graduated within the past five years. If you have five years or more practicing law, your transcript is not required.
Bar Membership: You must submit proof of your current membership (card or other documentary evidence) or certificate of good standing from the bar to which you are licensed. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Certificate of Good Standing: If you are selected, before you enter on duty you must submit proof that you are a 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 you do not have a bar card or other documentary evidence as proof of your current membership, you must submit a certificate of good standing. The proof must be dated within six months of the date this application is submitted.
Writing Sample: A writing sample must be submitted as part of your application package. It should not exceed ten (10) double-spaced pages. Please do not submit attachments. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Cover Letter: You must submit a cover letter detailing the skills, legal experience, and interests that qualify you for the position with your application package. In your cover letter, please list the locations [a maximum of three (3)] you are applying to as indicated on the occupational questionnaire in order of preference. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
It must contain the following information:
your full name;
home address;
home and work e-mail addresses;
home, work, and cell telephone numbers;
name of the law school, year of graduation, and year admitted to the bar
Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows competitive service appointment, tenure group, and salary.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) by the cut-off dates listed in order to be considered for that cut-off period.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by that cut-off date, you will not be considered until the following cut-off date. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. Applicants must apply online. If you need further assistance, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL LEGAL ADVISOR
7701 N Stemmons Freeway
DALLAS, TX 75247
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, and a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or if you were referred to the hiring official for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
