This position is located in the Board of Immigration Appeals in Falls Church, VA. The BIA's primary mission is that of producing authoritative administrative case law in the form of BIA decisions, interpreting the immigration laws and laying down guidelines for the exercise of the Attorney General's delegated administrative discretion. In addition, the BIA has appellate jurisdiction over essentially all decisions of Immigration Judges and certain decisions of DHS officers.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Identifying all factual, procedural and substantive issues, relevant constitutional, statutory, judicial and regulatory law, and drafts properly supported legal decision; Analyzing records of administrative hearings to evaluate Questions of Fact and/or Questions of Law for adherence to procedural requirements; Rendering guidance and interpretation with respect to questions pertaining to regulations, practices or other matters falling within the purview of the Board; Preparing proposed order reflecting analysis of issues and recommendation for disposition; and Drafting proposed Board decisions in the most difficult and sensitive cases arising before the Board, involving extremely complex legal questions and factual issues.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• A two year trial period will be required.
• You must file a Financial Disclosure.
• Salary payments must be by direct deposit to a financial institution.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the ATTORNEY ADVISOR position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B. or a J.D. degree. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your degree and the name of the College or University from which it was conferred/awarded.) AND Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your first license and the State from which it was issued.) AND Required Experience: For GS-13: Applicants must have two (2) full years (24 months) of post J.D. or LL.B professional legal experience. Qualifying professional legal experience includes: Drafting proposed Board decisions in difficult cases, often within short deadlines, where complex legal questions or factual issues are involved. Analyzing records of administrative hearings to evaluate questions of fact and/or questions of law for adherence to procedural requirements, and applicable laws and regulations, identifies all factual, procedural and substantive issues, relevant constitutional, statutory, judicial and regulatory law, and drafts properly supported Board decisions. Conducting legal research to determine if evidence was adequate to sustain findings of fact and if proper discretion was exercised pertaining to removal, deportation, exclusion, visa petitions, fines, bonds, and applications for advance permission to re-enter the United States. For GS-14: Applicants must have three (3) full years (36 months) of post J.D. or LL.B professional legal experience. Qualifying professional legal experience includes: Rendering guidance and interpretation with respect to questions pertaining to immigration regulations, practices, or other related matters. Reviewing extensive records of administrative proceedings to analyze and evaluate whether: the hearing was fair and procedural requirements were observed; applicable statutes, regulations and precedents were properly interpreted and applied; the evidence was adequate to sustain administrative findings of fact; and administrative discretion was properly exercised. Cases may involve the initial administratively determinative interpretation and application of new and amended statutory provisions. Drafting proposed Board decisions in the most difficult and sensitive cases involving extremely complex legal questions and factual issues. Resolving cases involving the interpretation and application of legislation, regulations, decisions, opinions, and other legal documents (which may include treaties and international law), and requires solutions involving a high order of original and creative legal endeavor. Managing the simultaneous effective and efficient resolution of a large caseload that ordinarily involves a broad range of cases and issues. Analyzing administrative records, including the transcription of testimony and pleadings, evaluates facts, and determines questions of law. Drafting decisions that are directly submitted to immigration adjudicators who exercise final authority in such matters. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) For GS-15: Applicants must have four (4) full years (48 months) of post J.D. or LL.B professional legal experience. Qualifying professional legal experience includes: Drafts proposed Board decisions in the most difficult and sensitive cases arising before the Board, involving extremely complex legal questions and factual issues. Reviews extensive records of proceedings arising from decisions of Immigration Judges and DHS District Directors to analyze and evaluate whether hearings were fair and procedural requirements were observed. Furnishes legal counsel, guidance, and advice in difficult matters regarding all phases of immigration law. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) NOTE: Qualifying experience is calculated only after receipt of J.D. or LL.B. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your assessment questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your Resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MM/YYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name, position title, grade level(s) held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full-time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.

Education

ARE YOU USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Applicants can verify accreditation by clicking here. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. (Note: If you are selected for this position based on education, an official transcript will be required, prior to your first day.) You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in accredited U.S. education programs; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Translated transcripts are required. For further information, click here.

Contacts

• Address Board of Immigration Appeals 5107 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22041 US
• Name: Midwest Services Branch
• Phone: 8164265706
• Email: [email protected]