Deputy Principal Legal Advisor for Legal Operations

Summary

The incumbent of this position is one of the senior executive assistants to the Principal Legal Advisor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigration and customs related legal activities, providing mission-critical legal services, counsel, and training to support ICE initiatives and programs vital to protecting U.S. national security, public safety, and the integrity of the immigration system.

Duties

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The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) protects the homeland by diligently litigating cases while adhering to the highest standards of professional conduct, providing timely and accurate legal advice, and optimizing resources to advance the missions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. OPLA is part of the Office of the General Counsel within DHS. The General Counsel, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, serves as the Department's chief legal officer and principal legal advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security. As such, the General Counsel is responsible for all of the Department's legal determinations and for overseeing all of its attorneys.

OPLA serves as the principal legal representative for DHS/ICE in various forums, including representing DHS before the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) under 6 U.S.C. § 252(c). OPLA provides legal advice to ICE officers and agents in Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations, and offers litigation support to U.S. Attorney's Offices and the DOJ Office of Immigration Litigation on federal court matters related to ICE operations. OPLA handles complex, high-profile immigration and customs enforcement issues that require creative legal solutions to balance national security and individual liberties. Additionally, OPLA represents DHS in Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Federal Labor Relations Authority hearings; provides ethics counsel; and manages commercial and administrative law matters. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., OPLA has nine regions nationwide, each led by a regional counsel, and maintains 143 office locations.

The incumbent of this position oversees OPLA's nine Regions across 140+ offices nationwide. The preferred duty location for this position is Washington, DC. However, other duty stations may be considered as deemed appropriate by management with regular travel to Washington, DC.

The duties of the Deputy Principal Legal Advisor for Legal Operations position include:

• Overseeing the provision of legal advice and assistance on matters concerning the enforcement of the nation's immigration and customs laws; overseeing the prosecution and litigation of cases before the EOIR Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals in removal proceedings against aliens alleged to be in the United States in violation of the law; and overseeing the prosecution of criminal cases and the defense of civil cases before the U.S. District Courts and U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals by ICE attorneys.
• Providing guidance and support in connection with matters that may include highly controversial or sensitive issues, or previously undecided questions where adverse decisions could negatively affect ICE operations; overseeing the provision of crucial litigation support and advice to the DOJ U.S. Attorneys' Offices and OIL in the prosecution and defense of cases before the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States on matters related to the operations of DHS and ICE; and advising and representing ICE in special interest and other sensitive cases, including those involving terrorism, human rights violators, and national security matters.
• Assisting the Principal Legal Advisor (PLA) and Executive DPLA (EDPLA) in developing and planning legal operations and ensuring continuity of administration for the legal functions of ICE. This includes implementing the various strategic plans of DHS, ICE, and OPLA; directing legal activities in connection with highly significant problems; directing the provision of a full range of legal advice and services; participating in the development of ICE policies, directives, and procedures; and ensuring they are consistent with the intent of the law and are administratively sound, efficient, and economical in operation.
• Responding to Congressional inquiries; reviewing and analyzing proposed legislation and case law; preparing, reviewing, and approving official documents and letters for signature by the Director, Deputy Director, and other senior management officials; and attending conferences with, and as appropriate, rendering legal opinions to the Director, Deputy Director, Principal Legal Advisor, and other senior managers of ICE, senior officials of the Department and other government departments, and outside private sector organizations.
• Serving under the general direction of the PLA and EDPLA; performing duties with broad authority, which carries wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. Other than on matters of unusual significance, decisions and judgments are not reviewed. Exercising sound judgment in determining whether particular matters should be brought to the attention of the PLA, EDPLA, or other senior officials.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• File a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• You must possess a professional law degree, e.g., J.D. or LL.B., acquired through graduation from an accredited school of law.
• You must be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the federal government, passionate about the ideals of the American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume, WHICH MUST NOT EXCEED TWO PAGES. Resumes over the two- page limit will NOT be reviewed beyond page two and may be disqualified.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is no requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the ECQs or TQs.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the TQs.

• TQ 1: Candidate must have experience that demonstrates (1) an expert knowledge of immigration law and procedures; (2) a strong litigation background, particularly with regard to immigration, national security, and criminal prosecution; (3) service-minded leadership; (4) a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with operational elements in implementing, coordinating, and prosecuting enforcement initiatives; (5) a demonstrated ability to structure and lead major projects and initiatives, and to coordinate teams effectively; (6) a demonstrated ability to operate effectively during transition, and to master the changing structure and functions of a legal program; and (7) a demonstrated ability to work independently and decisively.
• TQ 2: Candidates should have demonstrated management abilities involving both legal and logistical matters in an agency, law firm, or other organization. Candidates should have an ability to work with legal and policy professionals to evaluate and develop agency objectives, authorities and programs and have excellent legal writing skills that demonstrate clear and concise analysis.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the TQs listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.

• ECQ 1 (Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding): This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
• ECQ 2 (Driving Efficiency): This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
• ECQ 3 (Merit and Competence): This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
• ECQ 4 (Leading People): This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
• ECQ 5 (Achieving Results): This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

IF YOUR TWO-PAGE RESUME DOES NOT REFLECT DEMONSTRATED EVIDENCE OF THE ECQs AND TQs, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION FOR THE POSITION.

Note: If you are 1) a current member of the SES, 2) have been certified through successful participation in a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or 3) have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you must submit proof of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES, such as an SF-50 or certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited toward qualifications. Applicants' resumes and supporting documentation should reflect only education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency, which is a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs, with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage.

Additional information

Duty Location: The incumbent of this position oversees OPLA's nine Regions across 140+ offices nationwide. The preferred duty location for this position is Washington, DC. However, other duty stations may be considered as deemed appropriate by management with regular travel to Washington, DC.

Relocation Expense Reimbursed: Relocation expenses may be authorized for this position. Approval is subject to management discretion and will be made in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and agency policy.

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

• Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
• FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
• SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information.

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficienc