Attorney Advisor (Contracts)

Closing Date: 5th August, 2026

Description:

Summary:
This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Justice. The incumbent serves as an Attorney Advisor (General) performing duties in support of the Office of the General Counsel's Law Unit.

Duties:
The Attorney General of the United States, through the Department of Justice (DOJ) has delegated to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) those aspects of his/her authority that involve the administration and interpretation of the immigration laws of the United States, to include the review of immigration hearings and allegations of employment discrimination, document fraud, and employer sanctions. The primary mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice on a wide variety of matters involving the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and its employees in the performance of their official duties. OGC serves as the principal point of contact and agency counsel for EOIR with other Department of Justice (DOJ) offices and government agencies on all EOIR-related legal matters. The Employee/Labor Relations (ELR) Unit of OGC advises agency managers on labor and employment matters, defends EOIR in all phases of employment-related litigation, monitors investigations conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility in the DOJ, and defends against unfair labor practices charges. The OGC staff responds to all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act requests and is the designated point of contact regarding Standards of Conduct and other ethics guidance for all EOIR employees. OGC also administers the Records Information Management and Privacy Programs, Reasonable Accommodations, Attorney Discipline Program and the Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program.

The Attorney Adviser serves as Counsel to Contracting Officers (COs), Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) and Program Managers regarding the full acquisition lifecycle, from acquisition planning to contract closeout, along with any related litigation.

• Providing legal counsel to internal stakeholders regarding the full acquisition lifecycle, along with any related litigation.
• Drafts and/or reviews briefs in Federal-contract bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Court of Federal Claims (COFC).
• Provides technical assistance and legal counsel to agency components regarding the federal procurement process, including acquisition planning, award determinations, protests, contract administration, and claims resolution.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• A two-year trial period may be required.
• Salary payments must be by direct deposit to a financial institution.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• A financial disclosure may be required.

Qualifications:
In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: Applicants must possess an LL.B. or a J.D. degree. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your degree and the name of the College or University from which it was conferred/awarded.)
• 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 any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your first license and the State from which it was issued.)
• AND

For The GS-13 Level:

• Specialized Experience: Applicants must have two full years (24 months) of professional legal experience that includes the following:
• Analyzing complex legal questions and factual immigration issues for use in the review, interpretation, and application of immigration law;
• Drafting policies, procedures, training, or other highly complex legal work products involving the analysis and application of existing, new, or amended regulations, legislation, and other changes in law; AND
• Using effective oral and written communication and negotiation skills to communicate assessments to administrative adjudicators or other subject matter experts, understanding and acting upon detailed oral and written instructions, and demonstrating a commitment to personal and organizational success.

For The GS-14 Level:

• Specialized Experience: Applicants must have three full years (36 months) of professional legal experience that includes the following:
• Evaluating and identifying potential rulemaking or other large-scale policy initiatives that promote agency policy objectives and address operational concerns, legal cases or other impacts to the activities of the agency;
• Conducting comprehensive legal reviews of draft regulations, policy directives, and operational concepts in order to provide substantive and procedural advice that will resolve impediments to the agency's ability to lawfully execute its mission; AND
• Providing sound recommendations in response to a wide range of questions of immigration law and policy involved in the operations of the Agency and the effect of such operations on other activities, Government agencies, industry, and the general public

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your assessment questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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; Federal 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.

Additional Information:
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must claim their status when completing their application in the online application process and attach supporting documentation. (See "Required Documents" section.)

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.

Additional Information:
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: