ATTORNEY- ADVISER (GENERAL)

About the role

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an Open Continuous announcement used to fill multiple vacancies. This announcement will remain open until the closing date.

Applicant lists will be generated every two weeks with the first cut-off date of 10/15/2026. Additional cut-off dates will occur every two weeks thereafter. Applicants who apply after a cut-off date will be considered for the next referral.

What you will do

• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, and legal precedents to resolve legal issues and develop recommendations supporting Department programs and operations.
• Providing legal advice, guidance, and recommendations on matters involving immigrant children, including unaccompanied children, program officials, managers, and other stakeholders regarding the interpretation and application of laws, regulations, policies, and agency authorities to support program operations and decision-making.
• Preparing and reviewing legal opinions, memoranda, regulations, notices, policy guidance, correspondence, briefs, motions, and other legal documents to ensure legal sufficiency and compliance with applicable laws and Department policies.
• Assisting with or providing legal support for administrative proceedings and litigation by preparing legal research, pleadings, briefs, affidavits, memoranda, and other litigation documents, and by coordinating with the Department of Justice and agency officials, as appropriate.
• Collaborating with Department leadership, program officials, attorneys, and external stakeholders to resolve legal issues, provide regulatory guidance, support negotiations, and advance agency priorities.
• Participating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of legal, regulatory, and policy initiatives by providing legal analysis, identifying legal risks, and recommending solutions that support Department objectives and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• DUTIES FOR OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: The level of responsibility and complexity of assignments will vary by grade and may include: Provides legal representation to unaccompanied alien children (UAC) in complex immigration matters and proceedings.
• Managing complex immigration cases involving UAC, including conducting client interviews; researching and analyzing immigration statutes, regulations, case law, and administrative precedent.
• Providing authoritative legal advice and guidance on matters affecting UAC and other ORR-served populations, and coordinates with ORR officials, Federal agencies, legal service providers, and other stakeholders to address complex legal issues involving immigration proceedings, access to legal services, and the care and custody of unaccompanied children.

Education

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments. Resume Requirement Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.

Basic Qualification Question (If Applicable) As part of the application process, you must answer a question addressing whether you meet the Basic Requirement for this position, as described in this announcement.

Minimum Qualification Question As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement. Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume.

If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified.

Assessment Process USA Hire Technical Assessment You are required to complete a USA Hire technical assessment to evaluate the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position.

HR Resume Review Human Resource (HR) Specialists will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience. Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.

You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position. ategory rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates.

The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified - Applicants who have experience that is almost identical to those required by the position.

Well Qualified - Applicants who have experience that is very similar to those required by the position. Qualified - Applicants who meet minimum qualification requirements, but do not identify any additional qualifying experience or skill. Candidates in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

Veterans' Preference - *** You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Legal Research Legal, Government and Jurisprudence Oral Communication Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Written Communication To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: ***

Documents you must provide

• Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement.
• Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
• Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application.
• You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes: Your Resume.
• Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length.
• Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
• Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration.
• Other Supporting Documents Other Supporting Documents, as applicable: College transcript, if qualifying all or in part based on your education.
• Veterans' Preference: Discharged Veterans: 5 point preference: copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status 10 point preference: Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with the application package PRL Documentation: Candidates must submit all documents required to demonstrate that they meet the qualifications of the position If separated due to Reduction in Force (RIF): Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level SF-50 showing Separation - RIF.
• If not available, submit official documentation of Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice Latest performance rating showing rating score If separated due to Compensable Injury: Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level SF-50, which shows separation, or SF-50 showing acceptance of position at a lower grade or pay level in lieu of separation Notification from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, that injury compensation benefits have ceased or will cease Latest performance rating and rating of record (if separate documents) showing rating score CTAP/ICTAP RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement SF-50, showing positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to be placed through RPL, etc Latest performance appraisal including rating Documentation from your agency showing current promotion potential Military Spouse Documentation Overseas Military Spouse: Copy of Military sponsor's PCS orders and a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage.
• If applicable, a copy of most recent SF-50 Certain Military Spouse: For all categories below, a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage.
• Additional supporting documentation requirements differ for each category Spouse of a service member on active duty, you are required to submit a copy of the service member's current orders or a Statement of Service letter.
• The Statement of Service must be signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of the service member's unit or higher headquarters, AND the Statement of Service letter must include dates of active-duty service.
• For current federal employees, submit a copy of the most recent SF-50 Spouse of a service member who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active duty service, you are required to submit a copy of your spouse's DD-214 and a copy of documentation from the Department of Veteran's Affairs or the Department of Defense indicating the service member has a disability rating of 100% due to a service connected disability Spouse of a service member who was killed while on active duty, submit a copy of the spouse's DD-1300 documenting the service member was killed while on active duty and a statement certifying that you have not remarried Official documents are not required at this time; copies are sufficient; may be requested upon selection.

What to expect next

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

When the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) completes its selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with other federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared for consideration of employment with additional agencies.

There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements. Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.

The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.). HHS has a Critical Preparedness and Response Mission: we protect the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilize public health programs with domestic and international partners.

HHS' 24/7 Secretary's Operations Center (SOC) unites highly trained experts, well established processes, and state-of-the-art technology to coordinate resources and information as HHS responds to emergencies worldwide.

Every HHS employee has a role in supporting public health emergency management, whether through voluntary temporary assignments to emergency responses or sustaining other HHS programs and activities while colleagues respond.

In addition to their everyday work, HHS offers employees the opportunity to contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. Bargaining Unit Position: NO Research position: NO Drug Screening Required: NO Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

USA Hire Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: *** Priority Reemployment List (PRL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the PRL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified.

PRL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.