Legal Careers
Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Deputy Counsel)
Falls Church, VA 22041 - United States
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) seeks highly-qualified individuals to join our team of expert professionals in becoming a part of our challenging and rewarding Agency. The primary mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings. EOIR consists of three adjudicatory components: The Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the Immigration Courts where Immigration Judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of these Immigration Judge decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Responsible for defining problems, opportunities, and issues. Will determine and analyze relevant facts; and supervise such task groups that may be formed to facilitate the effective performance of those responsibilities. Represent the agency in communication with principal officials of the Department, staff members and high-level officials of other agencies. Direct the preparation of testimony and presentations, which the Director and other EOIR senior management officials deliver at hearings, Department of Justice functions and other official occasions. Additionally, function as a technical authority in the area of communications and legislative issues. Plan, direct, and execute national campaigns to convey complex information concerning the programs, responsibilities, and litigation activities of the various EOIR components. Will serve as the Agency's liaison with the Department of Justice's Public Affairs Office on release of information germane to the mission and legal activities of the various components of EOIR and establish and maintain effective working relationships with the members of the news media, specialized groups interested in EOIR's programs and field office activities. Arrange for press conferences on litigation matters of concern to the public. Respond to written and oral information requests from news media, specialized and general public inquiries on EOIR's programs. Develop news releases, briefs news media representatives, and prepares written material for dissemination and publication that reflects EOIR's policies and special interests. Develops and edits responses to Congressional inquiries addressing the spectrum of issues pertaining to EOIR program activities. Will supervise a team of Public Affairs Specialists, a Program Specialist and a contracting team of non-government employees. Develops, implements, and refines quality control methods, procedures, and systems for the office staff and contractors. In collaboration with the Chief Counsel for Communications and Legislative Affairs, determines goals and how resources will be used; sets operating policies and guidelines; and plans, develops, manages, and evaluates all operations. Assign work and sets priorities for completion of assignments as necessary. Develop performance standards and evaluates staff's performance. Make recommendation for promotions and awards for staff. Resolve problems and takes disciplinary action when necessary. Develop and provide training for staff and ensures career development. Ensure effective implementation of EEO and safety and health requirements.
Applicants must have a LL.B. or a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of a U.S. state, territory, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia (include the date of your admission to the bar).
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a minimum of four (4) years of post J.D. professional legal experience, to qualify for the position.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by Wednesday, April 27, 2016, the closing date of this announcement.
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov . For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Employment is contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. You must meet all qualification requirements by Wednesday, April 27, 2016, the closing date of this announcement.
A 2-year trial period is required, if not previously met.
A 1-year supervisory probationary period is required, if not previously met.
A financial disclosure statement is required.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You must submit a resume, or any other written format that describes your job qualifications. In addition, you must submit your most current performance appraisal (if applicable), a writing sample not to exceed ten (10) pages and responses to the QRFs. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the vacancy announcement. If you are basically qualified for the position, your name will be referred to the selecting official. Upon further review, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
QUALITY RANKING FACTORS:
Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of your experience.
Applicants are required to address the QRFs. Failure to submit this information may result in your application receiving less favorable consideration.
1. Knowledge principles, practices, methods and techniques of communication to direct operations of the OCLA and to serve as the technical adviser for the development and execution of all EOIR communication and legislative planning and media events.
2. Skill in developing written and other communication materials to develop coordinate and/or participate in a variety of media events and press conferences with national and local media.
3. Knowledge of Immigration issues and associated legislative processes to monitor and respond to pending legislation, inquiries from media and political scrutiny of immigration activists and to develop strategies to clarify opposition and defend immigration/EOIR programs.
4. Skill in supervising and developing a professional staff continuously engaged in a myriad of interactions with varied audiences and media events, and whose work assignments, schedules, and priorities fluctuate frequently.
There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD-214, Certificate of Releases or Discharge from Active Duty and other substantiating documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicant eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF-15, which lists the types of 10-point preference and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF-15 requires supporting documentation associated with services- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pension to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service member submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
Required Documents
Resume, OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) or other format.
DD-214, and if applicable, SF-15, and letter from VA or military, dated 1991 or later.
CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.
Latest performance appraisal and SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), if applicable.
A Writing Sample must be provided (not to exceed ten (10) pages).
All QRFs must be addressed.
WARNING: Failure to submit these documents, or failure to submit them in the required format, may result in your application receiving no further consideration or less favorable consideration.
APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF THEY ARE SUBMITTED BY TELEFAX OR GOVERNMENT-PAID POSTAGE ENVELOPE.
$128,082.00 to $160,300.00 / Per Year
Department Policies
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice 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 documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.