General Attorney

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Chief Counsel, located in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN.

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 or attorneys with a year or less of licensed practice may be appointed at the GS-11 level if they meet the following additional qualifications: rank in the top 1/3 of graduating class; participation on the school's official Law Review; winning a moot court competition; or, membership on a moot court team that represents their law school in inter-law school competition.

Recent law school graduates must be admitted to the bar within 14 months of their appointment.

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 01/23/2026.

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 Major Duties:

This position is with the Office of Associate Chief Counsel, Trade and Finance, Washington, DC, or Indianapolis, IN.

The Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) is one of the Government's largest and oldest legal offices.

OCC attorneys work on cutting-edge legal issues and provide critical advice across the CBP portfolio, including trade enforcement, search and seizure, immigration, and government ethics.

They also represent the agency in labor and employment matters and provide litigation support to the Department of Justice.

This position starts at a salary of $74,678.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10) with promotion potential to $163,514 (GS-14, Step 10).

In this position, you will become a key member of the legal team of The Office of Chief Counsel.

Typical work assignments include: Providing legal guidance on agency procurement actions, to include pre-solicitation and pre-award reviews for legal sufficiency; Representing CBP in administrative proceedings, including bid protests before the U.S.

Government Accountability Office and contract claims before the U.S.

Civilian Board of Contract Appeals; Preparing litigation reports and assisting the Department of Justice in defending suits against the United States filed in the U.S.

Court of Federal Claims related to the award or administration of government contracts; Advising the agency client on matters arising under fiscal and appropriation laws, such as the permissible use of appropriated funds and the preparation of CBP's annual budget request; advising on legal questions that arise during performance of government contracts, including legal issues presented by contractors asserting claims against the government; and advising agency officials on compliance with the laws, regulations, and precedent of relevant courts and boards related to the award and administration of government contracts; and Assisting agency leadership with any other matters, such as reviewing draft legislation to assess impact on and with an eye toward furthering CBP's interests, assisting with interpretation of international agreements and obligations thereunder, advising on agency and third-party intellectual property rights, and issuing advice on the application of Freedom of Information Act and the Federal Tort Claims Act.