General Attorney - US Department of Homeland Security : Job Details

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

This position is with the Office of Associate Chief Counsel, Long Beach, CA. The Office of Chief Counsel 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 $86,199.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $188,733.00 (GS-14, Step 10) with promotion potential to $188,733 (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:

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; winning of a moot court competition; or membership on a moot court team representing their law school in inter-law school competitions. An interim appointment of 14 months may be made pending the applicant's admission to the bar. The applicant will be required to provide proof of bar admission and a copy of their official law school transcript.

Experience includes paid and unpaid work, volunteer work through programs like Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, and other organizations. Volunteer work helps develop critical skills and can be credited as relevant experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, by 09/11/2025.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers to certain political appointees. If you have been a political appointee within the last 5 years, disclose this to the HR Office.

All applicants must undergo a thorough background check to ensure integrity and suitability for the role. This includes questions about criminal convictions and drug use. For more info, see the background investigation and e-QIP process.

Applicants not currently employed by CBP must have resided in the U.S. or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may be granted for certain circumstances, such as government service, study abroad, or supporting the U.S. government abroad.