Supervisory Attorney Advisor (FOIA)

About the role

This position is located in the U. S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review/Office of the General Counsel.

The OGC staff responds to all Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests and is the designated point of contact regarding Standards of Conduct and other ethics guidance for all agency employees.

What you will do

• About the Office The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice on a wide variety of matters involvingthe 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 and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) 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.
• Job Description The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is seeking an Attorney who will act as the Supervisory Attorney Advisor in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters.
• The Supervisory Attorney directs staff activities and administers and provides legal counsel and advice to the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel on matters pertaining to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and other laws.
• Additionally, the Supervisory Attorney Advisor (FOIA) performs duties such as but not limited to: Develops guidelines and establishes procedures concerning implementation of the agency FOIA and Privacy Act (PA).
• Serves as the agency's primary legal authority on FOIA and Privacy Act statutes, providing guidance on all matters related to requests for Bureau records under these laws.
• Directs coordination with intra-agency FOIA matters with other DOJ components, andinteragency consultations in conjunction with other Attorneys for FOIA Litigation.
• Advises staff regarding policies, procedures, and directives of higher-level management.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement).

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

Applicants can verify accreditation by clicking here. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. (Note: If you are selected for this position based on education, an official transcript will be required, prior to your first day.) You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Special Instructions for 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 accredited U.S. education programs; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Translated transcripts are required. For further information, click here.

How you will be evaluated

If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualification requirement, your application will be identified for referral to the hiring manager for further review and consideration.

There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.

Applicants eligible for veteran's preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g. the DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions.

Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10- point preference must submit Standard From SF-15, Application for 10- Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, *** for a copy of the SF-15, which list the types of 10- point preferences and the required supporting document (s).

Applicants should note that SF-15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of non-service connected disabilities pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch or Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retirement list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more.)In order to be rated as meeting the minimum qualifications, we must be able to determine from your application package that you have the education and experience that is required.

Applicants who have qualifying experience performed on less than a full-time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.Your resume MUST contain your full name, some form of contact information (phone number, email address and/or living address), and the following employment information: Employer name and location for each position held.

From and to dates (MM/YY-MM/YY or from MM/YY to "present") for each position held. The month and year is required to fully credit your time. For part-time positions, please include number of hours worked per week, positions that do not include this information will be assumed as full-time (40 hours a week).

Grade/levels held for each federal position. (Ex. GS-11; IR-06; FV-G. etc.) Detailed descriptions of experience under each position held.

(Applicants must provide specific supporting examples to show that they meet the qualifications of the position shown in the announcement.) Any submitted documents not required or requested for this vacancy will not be considered (i.e. training certificates, case filings, letter of recommendations, etc.).

(ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION PRIOR TO FINAL SELECTION.)

Documents you must provide

• Your Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional.
• A complete Assessment Questionnaire.
• JD Transcripts Proof of Bar Status Other Supporting Documents, if applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation (DD-214 (Member 4 copy), dated VA Letter, SF-15) 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-MMYYY 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.
• Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Benefits

DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: *** EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

More information can be found here: *** DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly.

Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: ***

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

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 positions maybe filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment.

If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to Weston Sperbeck at ***.

Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act. Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider 1) your performance and conduct; 2) the needs and interests of the agency; 3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and 4) whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Supervisory Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider 1) your performance and conduct; 2) the needs and interests of the agency; 3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and 4) whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. This is a non-bargaining unit position. -- Continued in the Benefits Section --