Summary This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Justice. The Attorney Advisor (ELR) provides legal advice and representation, in formal and informal settings, for EOIR management on various legal matters relating to employment laws and regulations including labor and employee relations, equal employment opportunity, discipline, performance management and related actions. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Represents EOIR as a trial attorney in complex and sensitive cases concerning all facets of federal labor and employment laws before Administrative Judges of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and federal courts. Provides advice on sensitive and intricate legal issues that often present novel issues and complex factual scenarios in an area with evolving case law and the absence of clearly applicable precedents. Establishes case strategy and tactics from the initial complaint or charge through the conclusion of the administrative hearing and appeals processes. Develops guidance and advice on the interpretation and application of employment law decisions for consistent application and implementation throughout EOIR. Provides and prepares oral and written advice and technical legal guidance to management officials, including opinions on extremely complex legal issues or factual questions, often involving conflicting interests. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor (ELR) position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Education: Applicants must possess a LL.B. or a J.D. degree. AND Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) in good standing, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any U.S. 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 equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. For GS-14: Applicants must have three (3) full years (36 months) of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. Qualifying professional legal experience includes: 1) Significant knowledge of federal employment law, including federal employee relations (Title V) and EEO (Title VII); 2) Significant knowledge of federal labor law and procedures; 3) Ability to handle all aspects of representing an Agency in federal litigation (administrative and/or court proceedings), including experience serving as lead attorney (or equivalent) in administrative or judicial hearings; 4) Significant experience with litigation, including handling witness preparation, depositions, and discovery; preparing affidavits; developing trial strategies; conducting direct and cross examination; and aspects of motion practice; 5) Experience advising or representing an agency in collective bargaining and all matters related to federal labor relations; 6) Advising management officials on legal issues surrounding employee performance and conduct; 7) Proven ability to manage complex legal tasks, including litigation, independently or with minimal supervision; 8) Ability to relate well to clients and work collaboratively in a fast-paced legal environment; 9) A customer-service oriented approach to legal practice; 10) Ability to think outside of the box on legal questions; 11) Ability and willingness to lead legal tasks and take on new tasks and responsibilities. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have experience with the following: Experience delivering training sessions to management officials on principles of employment and labor law. Experience advising Senior Agency Officials on litigation risk and settlement options. Experience mentoring/training junior attorneys and other professional staff. 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. Writing Sample: In addition to the above-stated qualifications, applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates their ability to author legal documents to be considered for this position. Only the first 10 pages will be reviewed. This document cannot exceed10 (ten pages). 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. Additional Information Conditions of Employment: Only U.S. Citizens or Nationals are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ applicants, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, whose job location is with the U.S., must meet the residency requirement. For a total of three (not necessarily consecutive years) of the five years immediately prior to applying for a position, the applicant must have: 1) resided in the U.S., 2) worked for the U.S. overseas in a Federal or military capacity; or 3) been a dependent of a Federal or military employee serving oversees. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact EOIR.HRApplicationReview@usdoj.gov You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement. Additional positions maybe filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: 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.
