Immigration Judge

About the role

Full-time, Part-Time and Intermittent work schedules are available. See "Additional Information" for details. Conversion to permanent position is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a probationary period and appointment by the Attorney General.

Additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.

What you will do

• This position is in the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Office of the Chief Immigration Judge.
• EOIR seeks highly qualified individuals to join our team of expert professionals who serve as immigration adjudicators.
• Immigration Judges work with a team that includes attorneys, legal assistants, and other support staff.
• EOIR plays a pivotal role in the administration of the Nation's immigration system.
• EOIR's mission 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 other administrative hearings.
• EOIR consists of three adjudicatory components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of the immigration judges' decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases.
• Immigration Judges preside over formal, quasi-judicial hearings.
• Proceedings before Immigration Judges include but are not limited to removal and bond adjudications, and involve issues of removability as well as applications for relief such as asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status.
• Immigration Judges make decisions that are final, subject to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• In connection with these proceedings, Immigration Judges exercise certain discretionary powers as provided by law and are required to exercise independent judgment in reaching final decisions.
• Immigration Judges may be required to conduct hearings in penal institutions and other remote locations.

How you will be evaluated

Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated to determine those who are best qualified. This determination will be based, in part, on the following Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs): Ability to demonstrate appropriate skills (adherence to the law, temperament, comfort with technology) to serve as a judge.

Knowledge of administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law and/or immigration law. Litigation or adjudication experience, preferably in a high-volume context. Experience handling complex legal issues.

Applicants are required to address each of the four (4) QRFs in narrative form, to the best of the applicant's ability.

A response stating only that the applicant does not have experience will not be considered as addressing the affected QRF. Applicants that do not have experience within a specific factor should instead discuss a similar skill/ability/knowledge/experience for evaluation.

Failure to address each factor at this minimum level will result in an ineligible determination.

The QRFs must be addressed on a separate document which indicates the number of the specific QRF you are addressing. Applicants should be thorough in addressing the QRFs.

For example, applicants addressing QRF #3 (litigation or adjudication experience, preferably in a high-volume context) should discuss the approximate number of cases or matters handled in a given period of time, the applicant's specific role (e.g. adjudicator, first chair, co-counsel, responsible for the written brief only, etc.), and the length of time involved in a given role (e.g. lead counsel in 20 immigration proceedings in 10 years).

Applicants should also include specific examples of the types of cases (asylum application, plea, settlement, bench trial, jury trial, etc.), the number of court and administrative appearances made in those cases, and the case dispositions (ruling on the merits, plea or similar resolution, settlement, trial, jury trial, etc.) Conclusory statements (such as "the applicant has been involved in a substantial amount of litigation") without further elaboration will receive little or no weight in the evaluation of the QRFs.

Documents you must provide

• Your Resume documenting post-licensure litigation or adjudication experience.
• You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following information for each job entry listed in your employment history:-Official position title,-Employer name and contact information,-Start and end dates (including month and year),-Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and-A list of duties performed and accomplishments.
• A complete online Assessment Questionnaire.
• Document(s) addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs).
• (See "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.) Writing Sample demonstrating your ability to author legal documents.
• (One (1) document, not to exceed 10 pages.) Current or former Federal employees must provide copies of their most recent Performance Appraisal and their latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
• Other Supporting Documents, if applicable: Veterans' Preference Documentation: Although the veterans' preference point system does not apply to this position, we accept preference claims and adjudicate such claims per the documentation provided.
• Note: If claiming 5-point veterans' preference, include a DD-214 or statement of service.
• If claiming 10-point veterans' preference, include an SF-15 and documentation required by that form, VA or military letter dated 1991 or later, and DD-214.
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
• Note: 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.
• Failure to submit the documents listed above with your application package will result in your application package being removed from consideration.

What to expect next

We will evaluate the qualifications and eligibility of all applicants, and assess those who meet the minimum qualifications. All candidates who meet all the minimum requirements will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration. We will notify you of the final outcome after all of these steps have been completed.

Additional information

Full-time, part-time or intermittent work schedules are available. Intermittent work schedules may be switched at any time to full-time or part-time work schedule based on agency discretion. You may only select one (1) schedule type for which to be considered.

Work Schedule Discussion: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their work schedule preferences and availability during the interview process. This may include full-time, part-time, or intermittent schedules as appropriate for the position. Final work schedule determinations will be made based on organizational needs and applicant qualifications.

Candidates will need to demonstrate that any future employment with EOIR is not a conflict of interest with other employment opportunities currently held or will be held by the candidate. Additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, applicants must submit a Writing Sample, not to exceed ten (10) pages, demonstrating their ability to author legal documents and a document addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) in order to be considered for this position.

Failure to submit these documents will result in your application package being removed from consideration.

(See "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.) There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to IJ appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in IJ 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.