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Posted March 24, 2024

General Attorney

Customs and Border Protection
Indianapolis, IN Full Time
Reference: CustomsandBorderProtection777331100

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Chief Counsel,...

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Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Chief Counsel, located in Indianapolis, IN. Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. This position starts at a salary of $73,218.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $160,315.00 (GS-14, Step 10) with promotion potential to $$160,315.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

In this position, you will become a key member of the legal team for The Office of The Chief Counsel. Typical work assignments include:
  • Providing legal advice to, and legal representation of, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offices located in Indianapolis and throughout the United States, including CBP's Financial Accounting Division; Revenue Division; Procurement Directorate; Office of Facilities and Asset Management, including its Environmental and Energy Division; Office of Trade; Office of Field Operations; and U.S. Border Patrol;
  • Providing legal advice on a wide variety of fiscal and trade issues to clients and other counsel offices, and performing legal research into laws, regulations, decisions and other precedents bearing on legal issues involving CBP, particularly in the areas of federal appropriations, bankruptcy, collections (primarily customs duties, liquidated damages, fees and charges), contracts, construction, employment, environmental, international trade, real property, and tort law;
  • Assisting the Department of Justice in civil actions involving CBP by preparing litigation reports, affidavits, and other pleadings, and participating in discovery, motion drafting, settlement discussions, and providing litigation support in a variety of matters such as complex trade cases generally involving the collection of revenue, actions brought under federal statutes such as the False Claims Act, procurement disputes filed in federal courts, and condemnation actions. Also directly representing CBP in various third-party administrative hearings involving matters such as employee discipline and adverse actions, arbitrations, EEO discrimination complaints, Merit Systems Principles Board (MSBP) appeals, contract and travel/relocation disputes before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, bid protests before the Government Accountability Office, and employee overpayment hearings;
  • Advocating, identifying and pursuing affirmative claims and counterclaims on behalf of the Government and providing legal opinions, negotiations assistance, and advice concerning resolution of claims filed against the Government arising out of CBP operations; and
  • Training, developing, and providing formal legal instruction and presentations to both client offices and other counsel colleagues.
Applicant must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Specialized Education: Recent law school graduates may be appointed to attorney positions at the GS-11 level with the following additional qualifications: rank in the top 1/3 of graduating class; participation on the school's official Law Review; membership in the Order of the Coif; or winning of a moot court competition. An interim appointment of 14 months may be made pending the selectee's admission to the bar. Selectee will be required to provide admittance and standing to the Bar and must provide a copy of their official law school transcript.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 05/20/2024.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

This listing expired on May 20. Applications are no longer accepted.

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