General Attorney (District Court Litigation Division)

General Attorney (District Court Litigation Division) Summary Join the fast-paced federal litigation practitioners of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor's (OPLA) District Court Litigation Division (DCLD) and leverage your legal experience to protect the homeland. These positions are located in Washington, D.C. NOTE: Applicants currently serving in attorney positions for ICE cannot use this announcement for reassignment. Duties OPLA is the largest legal program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employing over 3,000 attorneys nationwide. OPLA provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices, including legal advice and prudential counsel to ICE personnel. Selected attorneys will primarily serve as DHS's agency counsel by representing agency interests in civil litigation by coordinating with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) who represents the agency in court, and through the direct adjudication of administrative tort claims. DCLD attorneys work closely with the DHS Office of the General Counsel Headquarters (OGC HQ), other DHS component legal offices, and DOJ entities, such as Civil Division, including the Office of Immigration Litigation, Torts Branch, as well as U.S. Attorney's Offices throughout the nation. DCLD attorneys manage civil litigation against ICE and cases that otherwise impact ICE equities or its personnel by coordinating with DOJ who represents ICE as trial counsel. This includes assisting ICE personnel, OGC HQ, and DOJ in all aspects of federal civil litigation, such as: • Development of legal strategy and arguments • Motion practice • Discovery • Settlement negotiations • Trials, and appeals in cases ranging from common-law torts suits, lawsuits under and Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), and suits seeking injunctive or declaratory relief under the Constitution, including class actions. DCLD attorneys also adjudicate administrative claims for personal injuries and property damage pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ [redacted]. Additional responsibilities include: • Conducting training regarding litigation risk • Representing ICE's interests in litigation-related discussions with other agencies and DHS components • Respond timely and thoroughly to agency taskings • Drafting and providing opinions and comments on legislative proposals The selected attorney(s) will immediately be given significant responsibilities and will be expected to research and craft persuasive, legally supportable positions to address the needs of agency operational components. They will routinely provide timely oral and written guidance to ICE officers and agents, division management, and senior leadership within OPLA, ICE, and OGC HQ. Requirements Conditions of employment • You must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen for federal employment. • If you are a male born after 12/31/59, you must certify registration with the Selective Service. • You must have relevant experience (see How You Will Be Evaluated and Qualifications tabs). • You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement. • You may be required to serve a two-year trial period, if the requirement has not been met. • You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Qualifications Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on 11/30/2026. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification. In light of the nature of DCLD's work, attorney assignments are fast-paced, high-profile, and need to be addressed in real-time. The attorneys selected in response to this announcement will be given significant responsibilities on an immediate basis. Selectees must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, characteristics, and competencies: adept at prioritizing multiple assignments, exercising sound legal and practical judgment, efficiently producing quality legal analyses of complex and novel legal issues, and working effectively in a fast-paced environment both individually and as part of a team. Applicants should also demonstrate the ability to take initiative and work in a reliable, decisive, and professional manner. Bar Membership: You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 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. Education Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LLM degree. Please see Required Documents for more information. A student loan repayment incentive may be available; if such an incentive is available and is authorized, a service agreement will be required. Additional information Promotion Potential: This position has promotion potential to the GS-15. When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. Bargaining Unit Status: This is a non-bargaining position. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the Excepted Service; however, OPLA considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment. Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you must complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo a background investigation and successfully obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and tax obligations, and a review of certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.