General Attorney

Overview

Launch a prestigious career as an Attorney with ICE's Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). Join a legal team dedicated to defending the nation's immigration laws and safeguarding the United States with expertise and integrity. Recruitment and retention benefits may be available.

OPLA is now accepting applications for General Attorney positions at over 96 locations nationwide including its anticipated Montgomery, Alabama location. You can apply online through USAJobs.gov, by searching keyword "General Attorney (OPLA Field Locations – Nationwide)." For more information, please visit Office of the Principal Legal Advisor | ICE and America Needs You | ICE.

OPLA is the most dynamic legal program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expanding to over 3,000 attorneys nationwide. Pursuant to statute, OPLA serves as the exclusive representative of DHS in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, litigating cases involving criminal aliens, terrorists, human rights violators, and other aliens. OPLA also provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices, including by providing legal expertise in the areas of commercial and administrative law, labor and employment, ethics, and information and privacy law.

Responsibilities

After going through a robust training program, the selected attorney will immediately be given significant responsibilities and will be expected to craft supportable legal positions to address the needs of agency operational components. The attorney will be expected to routinely provide timely legal advice to ICE officers and agents.

Working as an OPLA attorney is a dynamic way to evolve your career while serving the public interest as a U.S. government employee.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorneys must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LLM degree.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Successfully pass a background investigation and a drug screen for federal employment.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. This job is neither remote nor telework eligible. Occasional travel may be required.
• Current or former federal employee may submit a copy of the most recent SF-50; writing samples, cover letters, and / or performance appraisals may be requested.

Benefits & Additional Information

The salary range is the General Schedule (GS) base rate. Click the information to access the GS locality pay tables. A comprehensive federal benefits package is available to employees and their families.

Incentives : This position may offer up to $50,000 in signing and retention bonuses to eligible candidates, with a service agreement. A student loan repayment incentive may also be available, with a service agreement.

If you would like to learn more about working with OPLA, please visit the informational page.

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