Regional Counsel, Northeast

Summary

The incumbent serves as Regional Counsel for the Northeast Region within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, providing leadership, direction, management, and counsel to staff on ICE legal programs and initiatives crucial to the operation of the region.

Duties

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 DHS's chief legal officer and principal legal advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security. As such, the General Counsel is responsible for all of DHS'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) 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 (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and offers litigation support to the U.S. Attorney's Offices and the DOJ Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) 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, DC, OPLA has nine regions nationwide, each led by a Regional Counsel, and maintains 143 office locations. The incumbent of this position oversees OPLA's Northeast Region and must be stationed at an OPLA office within that region. Specific duties and responsibilities include: Serving as a third-line supervisor for a staff of more than 400 attorneys and support personnel, and as one of nine senior advisors to the Associate Principal Legal Advisor for Legal Operations and the Deputy Principal Legal Advisor for Legal Operations. Providing leadership, overall management, and authoritative counsel to staff and clients on legal matters within the designated region, including responsibility for the strategic planning, development, implementation, and administration of agency legal programs and initiatives within the region. These legal programs include, but are not limited to, immigration trial and appellate practice; constitutional and criminal law and procedure; citizenship and nationality law, including naturalization and denaturalization matters; identity and benefit fraud; smuggling; cybercrimes; labor exploitation; child exploitation; human rights violations; national security; customs law; detention issues, including those related to juvenile noncitizens; victim-witness issues; the Violence Against Women Act; immigrant and nonimmigrant visas; and federal sector employment law. Providing leadership regarding litigation and case-management strategies, while ensuring that the highest level of legal competency is applied to the development of the agency's case theory, preparation of witnesses for trial, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, presentation of oral arguments advancing the agency's objectives, negotiation with opposing counsel, and identification of cases warranting appeal or the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. Supervising legal research and the preparation of persuasive memoranda of law advocating agency positions for submission to the EOIR, federal courts, and other tribunals, as well as the preparation of advisory memoranda for United States Attorney's Offices, the DOJ OIL, and ICE officers and agents. Serving as the primary legal advisor to the ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge and ERO Field Office Director in the respective region. This work requires the ability to conceptualize, develop, and recommend legal options to ICE leadership, and to explain and defend decisions based on those options to professional groups, other federal agencies, and high-ranking officials in the private sector.

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: Candidates 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications described above. Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your application package will be further reviewed to determine whether you possess the ECQs and TQs listed above. The ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your 2-page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have their executive qualifications certified by the OPM SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of noncompetitive status, such as current SES status, certification as a QRB-certified Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) graduate, or SES reinstatement eligibility. Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

Required Documents

A complete application includes the items described below. Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION, AS SPECIFIED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION OR MAY NOT RECEIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume LIMITED TO 2 PAGES, i.e., 1 double-sided page or 2 single-sided pages, with 1-inch margins at the top and bottom, 1/2-inch margins on the left and right, and a font NO SMALLER THAN 11 POINTS, showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the SES must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. Please DO NOT use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. Your resume should also include the following information: Your full name, email address, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers. Educational information, including the name, city, and state of each college or university you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. If applicable, your current SES or Candidate Development Program (CDP) certification status, or your reinstatement eligibility to the SES and the dates you held a career SES appointment. Whether you are currently, or have been within the last five years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch. Information about your paid and unpaid work experience related to this position, including job title, series and grade if it was a federal job, and starting and ending dates of employment by month and year. 2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USAJOBS when you apply to this vacancy. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation, if applicable: Current or former SES members must provide your 1) SES appointment Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) and 2) an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SESCDP graduates must provide verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) and OPM SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification. Current federal civil service employees must provide a copy of your SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting that you are a current federal civil service employee. You must possess a professional law degree, e.g., J.D. or LL.B., acquired through graduation from an accredited school of law, and be a 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. You must submit documentation supporting that you meet this qualification when applying to this job opportunity announcement. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS THE ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS MADE IN YOUR RESUME AND ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE. DO NOT submit any documents that are not specifically requested in the vacancy announcement, including: Cover letters DD-214s, Statements of Service, or other veterans' preference documents Separate ECQ or TQ narratives, including prior ECQ/QRB packages or previous SES application materials A resume longer than the 2-page limit Certificates from leadership programs, executive development programs, or other training courses, unless specifically required Project management certifications or similar credentials Cop...

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: Candidates 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).