General Attorney

ICE OPLA Commercial and Administrative Law Division (CALD) is seeking an attorney for an Associate Legal Advisor position in Washington, D.C. to handle issues relating to:

• Advising and assisting ICE officials (including the Head of Contracting Activity and Chief Financial Officer) in carrying out ICE responsibilities with respect to acquisition programs and inquiries involving fiscal and appropriations law.
• Providing oral and written legal advice on all stages of the acquisition process, including acquisition planning, solicitation, and award, as well as contract administration;
• Litigating and representing ICE in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and claims before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals;
• Assisting Department of Justice counsel in all aspects of bid protest and claims litigation before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims;
• Providing legal counsel and representation in a variety of practice areas, including, but not limited to, federal procurement law, fiscal law, appropriations law, suspension and debarment, general administrative law, contract and fiscal issues related to medical and health law, and intellectual property law.

CALD primarily provides legal advice to the Head of Contracting Activity and Chief Financial Officer. CALD'S work contributes to significant policy decisions integral to ICE's mission. Assignments within CALD are fast-paced and involve high-profile work. CALD attorneys advise, counsel, and train ICE programs on legal authorities, best practices, and agency policies on a wide array of issues.

CALD attorneys work closely with a wide range of ICE program offices, including Management & Administration, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Homeland Security Investigations. They also work with components within DHS, and other federal agencies and departments.

The selected attorney will immediately be given significant responsibilities and will be expected to craft legally supportable policies to address the needs of agency operational components. The attorney will be expected to routinely provide timely legal opinions to ICE officers and agents, CALD management, and leadership within OPLA, ICE, and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the General Counsel Headquarters. The selected attorney will be required to assess litigation risk and provide litigation support to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

OPLA is the largest legal program in DHS, employing over 1,200 attorneys nationwide. In addition to Headquarters in Washington, D.C., there are 25 OPLA field locations in more than 60 cities throughout the United States. 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 noncitizens, terrorists, human rights violators, and other priority noncitizens. OPLA also provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices.

OPLA provides legal advice and prudential counsel to ICE personnel on their law enforcement authorities, legal liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act and Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, ethics, and a range of administrative law issues, such as contract, fiscal and employment law. OPLA represents the agency before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. OPLA attorneys support DOJ in the prosecution of ICE cases and in the defense of civil cases against ICE.

OPLA fosters an environment in which all voices are heard and values the unique perspectives and opinions that inhere among a talented, diverse, and inclusive workforce. Comprising a far more diverse workforce than its private sector counterparts, OPLA is proud to strive to further diversify the experiences, perspectives, and characteristics of its workforce. It is committed to celebrating our differences and embracing practices that foster a fair, safe, and inclusive workplace by promoting equitable access to opportunities. In keeping with this commitment, OPLA will ensure that qualified applicants with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is required for any part of the application process, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.

• Providing legal counsel and representation in a variety of practice areas, including but not limited to federal procurement law, fiscal law, suspension & debarment, general administrative law, and intellectual property law;
• Conducting extensive research, analysis, and evaluation and providing oral and written advice; experience in one or more of the following is highly preferred: appropriation and fiscal law, suspension & debarment and contract matters to include formation, administration, claims, disputes, terminations, appeals, and litigation;
• Possessing well-developed written advocacy skills, organizational skills, communication skills, the ability to function both independently and as part of a team, interpersonal relationship skills, a strong work ethic, and an ability and willingness to learn new areas of the law;
• Drafting legal opinions that contain complex legal analysis while balancing policy considerations.