Organizational Location: This attorney position is located in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), in El Paso, Texas. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

Duties

The selectee will provide legal advice and support to ICE activities and programs in the area of Federal sector employment law. The selectee's responsibilities in the position will consist primarily of providing legal advice, training, and support to ICE activities and programs on federal employment law practice, including adverse actions, disciplinary matters, performance issues, prohibited personnel practices, reasonable accommodation, EEO and other issues related to federal employment law practice; and 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. 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.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
• You must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen for federal employment.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Relevant Experience (see Qualifications and Evaluations Tab)
• Requirements by Closing Date: You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Complete Application Package (see How to Apply Tab).
• You may be required to serve a two-year trial period, if the requirement has not been met.

Qualifications

Qualifications by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on 03/22/2024. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification. Applicants must possess superior legal research and writing skills, demonstrated experience advising agency operational components effectively, a proven track record of managing complex legal matters, and strong advocacy skills. Prior experience in labor or employment law, including practice before the administrative and judicial forms 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-12: 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-11 grade level. 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 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 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 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. Bargaining Unit Status: This is not a bargaining position.

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
• Name: MSD OPLA Staffing and Benefits
• Email: [email protected]