Do you desire to be a part of the vibrant United States immigrant admission process, to protect American interests and to secure our nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and its Office of the Chief Counsel are calling!
Summary
Do you desire to be a part of the vibrant United States immigrant admission process, to protect American interests and to secure our nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and its Office of the Chief Counsel are calling!
As part of both USCIS and the Office of the General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will work with other highly talented attorneys and colleagues on a rich array of intellectually challenging, critically important, cutting edge legal issues. Working along-side other components of DHS, USCIS strives to administer immigration benefit applications fairly, efficiently, and in keeping with the law, while simultaneously safeguarding our borders, our cyber space, and other elements of our nation's security. This vital mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join, OCC, USCIS, and DHS!
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of the Chief Counsel, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is seeking recent and soon-to-be law school graduates who will have graduated on or after January 1, 2020 for multiple entry-level attorney positions. There are multiple locations available for these entry-level attorney positions with duty stations at USCIS facilities throughout the country.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing legal advice to USCIS personnel on issues involving immigration related adjudications, inadmissibility and deportability grounds, family-based and employment-based issues, citizenship, refugee and asylum issues, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and national security. USCIS Associate Counsel are also responsible for writing visa petition appellate briefs and providing litigation support to the U.S. Attorney's office on cases arising from USCIS adjudications.
The placements for this announcement include, but are not limited to, the following USCIS office locations nationwide and negotiable after selection: - Camp Springs, MD (multiple positions at this HQ location) - Baltimore, MD - Arlington, VA - Seattle, WA - Montgomery, AL - Las Vegas, NV - Lee's Summit, MO - Overland Park, KS - Houston, TX - Dallas, TX (multiple positions at this location) - Charleston, SC - Atlanta, GA - Laguna Niguel, CA
Note: The actual salary will be dependent upon location of the position.
This announcement has been amended to state the following: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree obtained from an ABA-accredited law school on or after January 1, 2020, or be on track to obtain such a degree no later than July 1, 2022.
Applicants must have a strong academic law school record.
Job offers under this announcement are contingent upon the candidate obtaining a "Secret" security clearance, and continued employment is contingent on being able to maintain at least a "Secret" clearance.
Job offers under this announcement are also contingent upon the candidate obtaining a JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school before entry on duty (EOD). Continued employment for a candidate selected under this job announcement is contingent upon the applicant becoming a member of a Bar in good standing of a state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico within one year after entry on duty (EOD).
Full COVID vaccination as required by Executive Order 14043
U.S. Citizenship: Candidate must be a United States Citizen and present proof of citizenship, if selected.
Qualifications by Closing date: You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.
Background Security Investigation: A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
A Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (SF-450) will be required for certain positions. You may be asked to complete the necessary Financial Disclosure Report to meet that requirement.
Drug Testing: If position has been identified as a Testing-Designated position under DHS's Drug-Free Workplace Plan, any individual tentatively selected will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
Selective Service Registration: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, will be required to certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position(s);
resided in the United States; or
worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity; or
been dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.
Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination.
Examples of state-side coverage information include:
the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located,
the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program,
the church records for the applicant's overseas church mission,
and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Applicants must be able to provide information at a later date if deemed necessary.
Qualifications
You qualify at the GS-12 level if you: have graduated from law school and are licensed by your state’s Bar or will soon graduate from law school no later than July 1, 2022 and expect to be licensed by your state’s Bar within one year of law school graduation.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree obtained from an ABA-accredited law school on or after January 1, 2020, or be on track to obtain such a degree no later than July 1, 2022.
All applicants will be rated against the following factors:
Ability to resolve questions and provide accurate legal advice to both attorneys and non-attorneys on complex legal matters.
Ability to handle a heavy workload and meet deadlines.
Legal aptitude as reflected in the official law school transcript provided.
Quality of writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
Additional information
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position. The candidate selected will be required to obtain a "Secret" clearance and continued employment is contingent on being able to maintain at least a "Secret" clearance.
Probationary Period: The candidate selected is required to serve a probationary trial period of two (2) years.
Promotional Potential: This position starts at the GS-12 level, and has promotion potential to the GS-15/10. 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.
Telework: USCIS provides voluntary telework opportunities for eligible employees serving in positions conducive to working at an alternate work site in accordance with agency policy. Please Note: You may be required to telework from your personal residence or another location due to the needs of an office or an emergency situation such as severe weather, natural or manmade disasters or for public health, safety or emergency preparedness measures.
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.
As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.
You will be evaluated based upon your resume, citing qualifications and work experience, your writing sample, and, if selected for interview, your responses provided during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.
All 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 means, such as the interview process. The verification could occur at any stage of the application process. An exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or 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.
In addition to completing an online questionnaire, the following supporting documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
(1) A law school transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted).
(2) A writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
(3) Three (3) letters of recommendations (recommendations must be scanned and uploaded into the system along with other supporting documents and addressed to the Office of the Chief Counsel)
(4) A cover letter indicating your interest in being an entry-level attorney with USCIS. If there is a specific deadline by which you would need a decision, please indicate that in your cover letter.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS accounts. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides the Announcement Status and a “You applied on” date. This information does not confirm the agency application status. Use the “Track this Application” link for additional information regarding the agency application status, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. For information on what each Announcement Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your correct documents are uploaded and received. Please only submit documents listed in the Required Documents section.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
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.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM EST on January 31, 2022. To begin, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the office listed below at least one day prior to the closing date for instructions.
Applications will NOT be accepted by mail, email or fax.
Relocation expenses will NOT be reimbursed for this position.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
5900 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, Maryland 20588
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. If you are among the candidates found minimally qualified, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in an agreed upon number of days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In addition to completing an online questionnaire, the following supporting documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
(1) A law school transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted).
(2) A writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
(3) Three (3) letters of recommendations (recommendations must be scanned and uploaded into the system along with other supporting documents and addressed to the Office of the Chief Counsel)
(4) A cover letter indicating your interest in being an entry-level attorney with USCIS. If there is a specific deadline by which you would need a decision, please indicate that in your cover letter.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS accounts. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides the Announcement Status and a “You applied on” date. This information does not confirm the agency application status. Use the “Track this Application” link for additional information regarding the agency application status, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. For information on what each Announcement Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your correct documents are uploaded and received. Please only submit documents listed in the Required Documents section.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
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.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM EST on January 31, 2022. To begin, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the office listed below at least one day prior to the closing date for instructions.
Applications will NOT be accepted by mail, email or fax.
Relocation expenses will NOT be reimbursed for this position.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
5900 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, Maryland 20588
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. If you are among the candidates found minimally qualified, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in an agreed upon number of days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
