General Counsel

Summary

The incumbent's responsibilities include directing the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Program, the Attorney Discipline Program, the Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program, the Employee/Labor Relations Unit, the Ethics Program, and the Immigration Unit.

Duties

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) seeks highly qualified individuals to join our team of expert professionals in becoming a part of our challenging and rewarding Agency. The primary mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings. EOIR consists of three adjudicatory components: The Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the Immigration Courts where Immigration Judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of these Immigration Judge decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. NOTE: The General Counsel position is designated as SES General and may be filled by either a Career or Noncareer Senior Executive Service member. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Directs the Immigration Unit, which handles a variety of immigration related issues for EOIR. Ensures the program provides litigation support to the Office of the Solicitor General, Offices of the U.S. Attorneys, the Office of Immigration Litigation, and the Civil Division's Torts Branch. Directs the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act program for the agency. This includes overseeing attorneys and other staff who respond to FOIA requests; ensuring that all processing of records is conducted in accordance with applicable laws and polices; and maintaining data tracking systems and preparing reports concerning same. Directs the Attorney Discipline Program. Responsible for the development of rules and procedures governing the program, and ensures that the program investigates alleged misconduct associated with attorneys practicing before EOIR. Serves as the Deputy Designated Ethics Official for the agency, directing the agency's ethics program. Directs and supervises the Employee and Labor Relations Unit, which advises on employee matters, such as performance and disciplinary issues and accommodation requests. Represents the various components of EOIR on personnel matters with the Office of Professional Responsibility, the Inspector General, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Merit Systems Protection Board. Ensures that resources are effectively and efficiently utilized, including both personnel and budgetary resources. Oversees, conducts, and assists in all litigation matters to which EOIR is a party or is otherwise involved.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the General Counsel 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, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of a U.S. state, territory, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia (include the date of your admission to the bar). -AND- Experience: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must have practiced as an attorney, post-bar admission, for a minimum of seven (7) years at the time the application is submitted with at least 1 year of experience at a level equivalent to the GS-15 in the Federal service. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicant resumes must be limited to two (2) pages and must clearly provide evidence of relatable supervisory, managerial or professional experience. 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. In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, you must possess the following Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications: Executive Core Qualifications: Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed). Current or former SES members must submit an SF-50 and/or QRB Certification of ECQs to show current or former service in the SES. OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Services Qualifications provides detailed information on the 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 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. -AND- Mandatory Technical Qualifications: Applicants must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed).. MTQ 1: Ability to interpret cases, statues and administrative regulations and apply them to an organizations mission. MTQ 2: Comprehensive knowledge of immigration law and procedure, with particular expertise in administrative and judicial case law and regulations. MTQ 3: Ability to represent an organization in administration hearings and proceedings, and at labor negotiations. MTQ 4: Demonstrated decision-making, problem- solving, and legal writing skills. MTQ 5: Ability to create a customer-service driven organization.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. The information in your Application Package will be compared with your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you possess the minimum qualifications listed above. ECQs and MTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/08/2026, which includes: 1. Your Resume showing relevant legal experience (limited to two (2) pages); cover letter optional. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must address each of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) within the two (2) page resume. 2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire. 3. Must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee. 4. Current or former SES members must submit an SF-50 and/or QRB Certification of ECQs to show current or former service in the SES. 5. All applicants must address each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) within the two (2) page resume. Note: Please ensure 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 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.

How to Apply

You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/08/2026, the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact EOIR.HR_Application_Review@usdoj.govYou must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement.

What to Expect Next

You will be notified of your application status during the hiring process, as applicable. You may check your application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking "Application Status". The process may take up to 6 weeks. The four points of notification are: Application Received or Application Incomplete Minimum Qualification Requirement Met/Not Met Eligible (Application Referred) or Eligible (Application Not referred) Selected or Not Selected If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.

Additional Information

Location will be in a non-detained Immigration court in the continental United States. 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. Note: Veterans' preference does not apply to this position. 5 USC 2108(3), which defines "preference eligible," indicates this does not include applicants for, or members of, the Senior Executive Service.

In order to qualify for the General Counsel 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, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of a U.S. state, territory, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia (include the date of your admission to the bar). -AND- Experience: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must have practiced as an attorney, post-bar admission, for a minimum of seven (7) years at the time the application is submitted with at least 1 year of experience at a level equivalent to the GS-15 in the Federal service. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicant resumes must be limited to two (2) pages and must clearly provide evidence of relatable supervisory, managerial or professional experience. 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. In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, you must possess the following Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications: Executive Core Qualifications: Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed). Current or former SES members must submit an SF-50 and/or QRB Certification of ECQs to show current or former service in the SES. OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Services Qualifications provides detailed information on the 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 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. -AND- Mandatory Technical Qualifications: Applicants must clearly demonstrate the ability to meet the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) within their two (2) page resume (any experience exceeding 2 pages will not be reviewed).. MTQ 1: Ability to interpret cases, statues and administrative regulations and apply them to an organizations mission. MTQ 2: Comprehensive knowledge of immigration law and procedure, with particular expertise in administrative and judicial case law and regulations. MTQ 3: Ability to represent an organization in administration hearings and proceedings, and at labor negotiations. MTQ 4: Demonstrated decision-making, problem- solving, and legal writing skills. MTQ 5: Ability to create a customer-service driven organization.