Attorney Advisor

Executive Office for Immigration Review • Houston, TX

2d

About The Position

The Attorney Advisor works for the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the highest administrative tribunal responsible for interpreting and applying U.S. immigration laws and reviewing orders of Immigration Judges and certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decisions. The BIA also issues published decisions that provide guidance to Immigration Judges, DHS, and others; its decisions bind DHS officers and employees and Immigration Judges unless modified or overruled by the Attorney General.

The Attorney Advisor prepares proposed Board decisions in the most difficult and sensitive cases before the Board, including matters with highly complex legal and factual issues requiring discretion and judgment. The role involves reviewing decisions of Immigration Judges and DHS District Directors, researching and applying relevant law, analyzing administrative records, and developing proposed orders and decisions.

The position requires a J.D. degree, active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction, and qualifying post-J.D. legal or equivalent experience. Minimum experience is 1.5 years for GS-13 and 2.5 years for GS-14. Immigration law advisory, research, or policy experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, and must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test. A two-year trial period applies, and salary payments must be made by direct deposit.

Requirements

• J.D. degree.
• Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
• For GS-13: at least 1.5 years of post-J.D. legal or equivalent experience, or other relevant experience.
• For GS-14: at least 2.5 years of post-J.D. legal or equivalent experience, or other relevant experience.
• U.S. citizen or national.
• Complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
• Meet the DOJ residency requirement: for a total of three years (not necessarily consecutive) during the five years immediately before applying, have resided in the U.S., worked for the U.S. overseas in a federal or military capacity, or been a dependent of a federal or military employee serving overseas.
• Register with Selective Service, if applicable.
• Complete a two-year trial period.
• Receive salary payments by direct deposit to a financial institution.
• Meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Provide a resume that clearly documents required experience and includes employment dates, employer, position title, applicable grade levels, hours worked if less than full time, duties, and details of any part-time experience.
• Provide transcripts or other documentation supporting educational claims; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. accredited education or receive full credit at an accredited U.S. institution, with translated transcripts required.

Nice To Haves

• Legal advisory experience in immigration law.
• Legal research experience in immigration law.
• Legal policy experience in immigration law.

Responsibilities

• Identify factual, procedural, and substantive issues, as well as relevant constitutional, statutory, judicial, and regulatory law, and draft properly supported legal decisions.
• Analyze administrative hearing records to evaluate questions of fact and law and assess adherence to procedural requirements.
• Provide guidance and interpretation on questions involving regulations, practices, and other matters within the Board’s purview.
• Prepare proposed orders reflecting analysis of issues and recommendations for disposition.
• Draft proposed Board decisions in the most complex and sensitive cases before the Board.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree