General Attorney (Associate Legal Advisor)

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. QUALIFICATION CLAIMS WILL BE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION.

Applicants should be able to efficiently produce quality legal analyses of complex and novel issues, exercise sound legal judgment, prioritize competing assignments, and work effectively independently, as part of a team, and across work units. Applicants should be detail-oriented and have a strong interest in supporting and providing stellar client services to diverse program offices, including law enforcement officers, policymakers, attorneys, and agency senior leadership, and must be able to tailor communications to a particular audience. Applicants should be able to take initiative and work in a reliable, decisive, and professional manner. Applicants should possess the following characteristics and competencies: integrity, sound professional judgment, organizational skills, decisiveness, initiative, stellar client services, the ability to function independently and cooperatively, and superior written and oral advocacy skills.

In addition, applicants for this position should demonstrate experience:

• Advising clients on matters related to general civil litigation, including personal injury and property damage and loss.
• Coordinating with law enforcement clients on the exercise and defense of their authorities.
• Conducting legal research and producing pleadings, responses to discovery requests, legal memoranda, and briefing materials.
• Briefing senior attorneys and clients on legal developments and proposed courses of action.

Bar Membership: You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
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 five years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
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 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. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

EDUCATION

Applicants must be a graduate of an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Please see Required Documents for more information.
A student loan repayment incentive may be available; if such an incentive is available and is authorized, a service agreement will be required.

DUTIES

ICE OPLA DCLD is seeking an attorney for an Associate Legal Advisor position in Washington, D.C. to handle issues relating to the adjudication of administrative tort claims pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 2671-2680, and all aspects of civil 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 habeas “class action” relief. DCLD provides oral and written advice to ICE leadership and employees regarding potential litigation risks and represents ICE’s interests in litigation-related discussions with other agencies and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components. DCLD attorneys are responsible for managing ICE’s production of discovery in federal civil litigation, which includes but is not limited to document collection and review of documents for responsiveness and privilege during discovery.
DCLD primarily provides legal advice to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other ICE components on legal authorities, best practices, and agency policies. DCLD’s work contributes to significant policy decisions integral to ICE’s mission. Assignments within DCLD are fast-paced and involve high-profile work. DCLD attorneys advise, counsel, and train ERO and HSI on legal authorities, best practices, and agency policies on a wide array of issues.
DLCD attorneys work closely with a wide range of ICE program offices, including ERO, HSI, the ICE Office of the Director, ICE Office of Public Affairs, and ICE Office of Congressional Relations. They also work with DHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and other federal agencies and departments. Serving as agency counsel, DCLD attorneys also work closely with U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), including U.S. Attorney’s Offices and DOJ’s Civil Division, including the Office of Immigration Litigation, Appellate Staff, Federal Programs, and Torts Branches.
The selected attorney will immediately be given significant responsibilities and will be expected to craft legally supportable positions to address the needs of agency operational components. The attorney will be expected to routinely provide timely legal opinions to ICE officers and agents, DLCD management, and leadership within OPLA, ICE, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the General Counsel Headquarters. The selected attorney will be required to assess litigation risk and provide litigation support to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
OPLA is the largest legal program in DHS, employing over 1,200 attorneys nationwide. In addition to Headquarters in Washington, D.C., there are 25 OPLA field locations in more than 60 cities throughout the United States. Pursuant to statute, OPLA serves as the exclusive representative of DHS in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review litigating cases involving criminal noncitizens, terrorists, human rights violators, and other priority noncitizens. OPLA also provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices.
OPLA provides legal advice and prudential counsel to ICE personnel on their law enforcement authorities, legal liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act and Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, ethics, and a range of administrative law issues, such as contract, fiscal and employment law. OPLA represents the agency before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Civilian Board of contract Appeals. OPLA attorneys support DOJ in the prosecution of ICE cases and in the defense of civil cases against ICE.
OPLA fosters an environment in which all voices are heard and values the unique perspectives and opinions that inhere among a talented, diverse, and inclusive workforce. Comprising a far more diverse workforce than its private sector counterparts, OPLA is proud to strive to further diversify the experiences, perspectives, and characteristics of its workforce. It is committed to celebrating our differences and embracing practices that foster a fair, safe, and inclusive workplace by promoting equitable access to opportunities. In keeping with this commitment, OPLA will ensure that qualified applicants with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is required for any part of the application process, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.

YOU MUST INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, AS SET FORTH BELOW, WITH YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AS LISTED IN THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING OR MAY AFFECT YOUR OVERALL RATING.

Cover Letter: Your cover letter must discuss your interest in the position; your pertinent knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience; and your personal characteristics and competencies that qualify you for the position as detailed in the Duties and Qualifications sections of this announcement. Your cover letter must also include your full name; home address; home or work e-mail address(es); phone number(s) where we may contact you; name of law school, year of graduation, and year admitted to the bar.
Résumé: Your résumé must include announcement number (PLA-12364168-DE-JP), your education, work experience, training, and any professional awards you have received. For each work experience listed, please include your job title, duties, employer’s name, employer’s telephone number, employer’s address, and starting and ending dates in “MM/YY” form. Please indicate whether we may contact your current supervisor.
Writing Sample: A writing sample demonstrating your legal analytical abilities must be submitted as part of your application package, for which you must be the principal author. It should not exceed 10 double-spaced pages.
Transcript: If you have practiced law for fewer than five years, you must submit a copy of your law school transcript. Your transcript must include your grade-point average or class ranking, where available. If you have practiced law for five years or more, no transcript is required.
Bar Membership/Certificate of Good Standing: Submit a copy of your bar card, certificate of good standing, or other documentary evidence to prove that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
If you are a current or former federal employee: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 that provides, at a minimum, the effective date; name; grade; step; salary; position occupied; and tenure. Do not submit SF-50 for performance awards since these SF-50s do not provide the information needed to verify your eligibility.
If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information about your most recent political appointment: position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency, and beginning and ending dates of appointment.
Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” is preferable. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), “Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference.” If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans’ information.

YOU MUST INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, AS SET FORTH BELOW, WITH YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AS LISTED IN THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING OR MAY AFFECT YOUR OVERALL RATING.

Cover Letter: Your cover letter must discuss your interest in the position; your pertinent knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience; and your personal characteristics and competencies that qualify you for the position as detailed in the Duties and Qualifications sections of this announcement. Your cover letter must also include your full name; home address; home or work e-mail address(es); phone number(s) where we may contact you; name of law school, year of graduation, and year admitted to the bar.
Résumé: Your résumé must include announcement number (PLA-12364168-DE-JP), your education, work experience, training, and any professional awards you have received. For each work experience listed, please include your job title, duties, employer’s name, employer’s telephone number, employer’s address, and starting and ending dates in “MM/YY” form. Please indicate whether we may contact your current supervisor.
Writing Sample: A writing sample demonstrating your legal analytical abilities must be submitted as part of your application package, for which you must be the principal author. It should not exceed 10 double-spaced pages.
Transcript: If you have practiced law for fewer than five years, you must submit a copy of your law school transcript. Your transcript must include your grade-point average or class ranking, where available. If you have practiced law for five years or more, no transcript is required.
Bar Membership/Certificate of Good Standing: Submit a copy of your bar card, certificate of good standing, or other documentary evidence to prove that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
If you are a current or former federal employee: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 that provides, at a minimum, the effective date; name; grade; step; salary; position occupied; and tenure. Do not submit SF-50 for performance awards since these SF-50s do not provide the information needed to verify your eligibility.
If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information about your most recent political appointment: position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency, and beginning and ending dates of appointment.
Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” is preferable. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), “Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference.” If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans’ information.