Organizational Location: This announcement will be used to fill an Employment Law General Attorney position in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) field location Miami, FL. The salary range listed in this announcement is the base salary rate only. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages. While this position is telework eligible, it is not eligible for remote reporting.

Duties

OPLA is the largest legal program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employing over 1,000 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 abusers, 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 Contract Board of Appeals. OPLA attorneys support the Department of Justice in the prosecution of ICE cases and in the defense of civil cases against the 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 and is committed to celebrating our differences and embracing practices that foster a fair, safe, and inclusive workplace by promoting equitable access to opportunities. OPLA is seeking an attorney who will provide assistance and support to ICE activities and programs on Federal employment law. Your responsibilities in the position will consist primarily of: Providing legal advice, training, and support to ICE activities and programs on federal employment law, including adverse actions, disciplinary matters, prohibited personnel practices, EEO and issues related to federal administrative law practice that affect the management and operation of the agency; Serving as agency counsel in proceedings before administrative and judicial forums, including arbitration, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, and the U.S. Federal Courts.

Requirements

• You must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen for federal employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must have relevant Experience (see How You Will Be Evaluated and Qualifications tabs).
• You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• You may be required to serve a two-year trial period, if the requirement has not been met.
• You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed in connection with this position.
• Current OPLA attorneys must have completed two years of service with OPLA by the announcement closeout to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on 10/19/2023. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification. Applicants must possess superior legal research and writing skills, demonstrated experience advising clients effectively, a proven track record of managing complex legal matters, and strong advocacy skills. Prior experience in federal sector employment law, including practice before the administrative and judicial forums listed above, is preferred. Applicants must also 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. To qualify for the GS-13: You must be a graduate from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member in good standing and have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. To qualify for the GS-14: You must be a graduate from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member in good standing and have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Bar Membership: You must be 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. 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, 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/or 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.

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 inform

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

Contacts

• Address OPLA FIELD LEGAL OPS 8222 N Beltline Rd IRVING, TX 75063 US
• Name: MSD OPLA Staffing and Benefits
• Email: [email protected]