Attorney-Advisor (Labor)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Office of the Solicitor's Division of Employment and Training Legal Services and is assigned to the Immigration Programs Counsel area, which provides legal services to the Department's Office of Foreign Labor Certification and Office of Immigration Policy.

We invite you to apply! To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B.

or J.D.); be a member in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the U.S.; and have acquired the amount of experience indicated below for each grade level.

Qualifying specialized experience for GS-13 includes: two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level.

Qualifying specialized experience for GS-14 includes: three (3) years of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level.

At least one year of qualifying experience, at this level, must be specialized experience as defined below.

Specialized experience, for both grade levels, is defined as experience engaging in federal rulemaking, conducting federal and/or administrative litigation, or experience researching and analyzing legal issues involving federal immigration programs.

Note: An LL.M may be substituted for a maximum of one year experience. Major Duties:

Begin a challenging career with the Department of Labor! The Office of the Solicitor is looking for a talented and motivated attorney to join the Immigration Programs Counsel Area in the Division of Employment and Training Legal Services. The Division provides legal assistance to:

the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) in its administration of the foreign labor certification programs, the Federal-State unemployment compensation program, the national workforce investment and employment service programs, Job Corps, and apprenticeship programs.

the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) in its administration of employment and training programs for veterans and separating service members, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and the provisions of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 relating to the enforcement of Federal executive branch veterans' preference laws; and

the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) with regard to all international labor activities of the Department, including with regard to its efforts to eradicate child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking and to negotiate and enforce strong labor rights provisions in trade agreements.

The individual selected will primarily provide legal advice, rulemaking, and litigation services to ETA's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) and to the Department's Office of Immigration Policy (OIP) on matters related to the Department's administration of foreign labor certification programs under the INA, including, but not limited to, the H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, CW-1, and PERM programs, which are designed to assure that the admission of foreign workers into the United States on a permanent or temporary basis will not adversely affect the job opportunities, wages, and working conditions of U.S.

workers.

Specifically, the individual selected will engage in the following duties: 1) representing OFLC in administrative litigation before the Department's Office of Administrative Law Judges in connection with appeals of denials and other actions taken by OFLC with regard to employer applications for temporary and permanent labor certifications that are necessary to obtain visas to employ foreign workers in the United States; 2) assisting the Department of Justice in federal court litigation involving the programs administered by OFLC; 3) working collaboratively with OFLC to develop and implement regulations governing the programs administered by OFLC; and 4) providing formal and informal legal advice to OIP and to OFLC on all matters concerning its administration of the foreign labor certification programs.

As needed, the individual selected may be required to assist and provide legal advice, rulemaking, and litigation services on matters related to the other ETA programs, VETS, or ILAB.

This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, a strong dedication to public service, and a background in litigation.

Knowledge of the programs administered by OFLC, knowledge of and experience with Federal administrative law, and experience in the Federal rulemaking process is preferred.

The selected attorney will be expected to exercise sound judgment and discretion in the discharge of duties, including providing advice directly to DOL officials and staff, subject to the overall supervision of Division management.

The selected attorney will from time-to-time meet with Federal officials in other Federal agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State.