Attorney Advisor GS-0905-13/14

United States Department of Justice; Houston, Falls Church (TX, VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) in Houston, TX seeks Attorney Advisors to draft and analyze Board decisions in highly complex immigration cases. The role requires substantial post-J.D. experience, active bar status, and U.S.

citizenship or national status. Both GS-13 and GS-14 paths are available with detailed qualifications and preferred but not required immigration law experience.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree required and must be actively admitted to the bar.
• Minimum post-J.D. legal experience as specified (1.5 years for GS-13, 2.5 years for GS-14).
• U.S. citizenship or national status is required.

Responsibilities

• Identify factual, procedural, and substantive issues and draft supported legal decisions.
• Analyze administrative hearing records for factual and legal questions.
• Provide guidance on regulations, practices, and Board operations.
• Prepare proposed orders reflecting analysis and disposition recommendations.
• Draft Board decisions in complex, sensitive immigration matters.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical reasoning

Attention to detail

Education

J.D. Degree

Active bar member (US jurisdiction)

U.S. citizenship or National

Job description

Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)

Hiring Office

Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

DE-13104439-27-AL

Location

Houston, TX

Houston, TX
Falls Church, VA
United States

Application Deadline

Thursday, April 29, 2027

About the Office

***All U.S. Citizens Applications will be reviewed after the following cut-off dates: December 1, 2026, December 31, 2026, January 29, 2027, March 1, 2027, March 30, 2027, April 29, 2027.***

The primary mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws.

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative tribunal charged with interpreting and applying the immigration laws of the United States. The Board is responsible for applying the immigration and nationality laws uniformly throughout the United States. Accordingly, the Board has been given nationwide jurisdiction to review the orders of Immigration Judges and certain decisions made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and to provide guidance to the Immigration Judges, DHS, and others, through published decisions. The Board also has appellate review/authority over various decisions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) District Directors, including all decisions involving carrier fines and penalties, familial visa petitions, and requests for advance permission to enter the United States. The Board's decisions are binding on all officers and employees of the DHS and on Immigration Judges in the administration of the Immigration and Nationality Act, except as they may be modified or overruled by the Attorney General.

Job Description

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is seeking Attorney Advisors that will be responsible for the preparation of proposed Board decisions in the most difficult and sensitive cases arising before the Board, involving extremely complex legal questions, factual issues, discretion, judgment, and other issues arising from decisions of Immigration Judges and DHS District Directors. The major duties include:

• Identifying all factual, procedural and substantive issues, relevant constitutional, statutory, judicial and regulatory law, and drafts properly supported legal decision.
• Analyzing records of administrative hearings to evaluate questions of fact and/or questions of law for adherence to procedural requirements.
• Rendering guidance and interpretation with respect to questions pertaining to regulations, practices or other matters falling within the purview of the Board.
• Preparing proposed order reflecting analysis of issues and recommendation for disposition.
• Drafting proposed Board decisions in the most complex and sensitive cases arising before the Board, involving extremely complex legal questions and factual issues.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Attorney Advisor position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Required Experience:

For GS-13:

• Must possess a J.D. Degree
• Must be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Must have at least 1.5-years post-J.D. legal (or equivalent), or other relevant experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or National.

For GS-14:

• Must possess a J.D. Degree
• Must be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Must have at least 2.5-years post J.D. legal (or equivalent), or other relevant experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or National.

(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)

Preferred Experience: Legal advisory, legal research, and legal policy experience in immigration law is preferred but not required.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

ARE YOU USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Applicants can verify accreditation by clicking here . All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. (Note: If you are selected for this position based on education, an official transcript will be required, prior to your first day.) You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in accredited U.S. education programs; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Translated transcripts are required. For further information, click here .

$121,785 - $188,573 per year

Number of Positions

many vacancies

Travel

Not required

Relocation Expenses

No

This and othervacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships . The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.