General Attorney

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Chief Counsel in New York, NY; Baltimore, MD; and Boston, MA seeks attorney candidates who are graduates of ABA-accredited law schools and active bar members.

This role involves handling legal matters affecting CBP programs and enforcement at multiple sites. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements (including education) by 09/23/2026, and recent graduates may be hired at GS-11 level with top-quartile class ranking, Law Review

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate from an ABA-accredited School of Law and an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, DC or Puerto Rico.
• Recent law school graduates may be appointed at GS-11 if they rank in the top 1/3 of their class, participate on Law Review, win a moot court competition, or serve on a moot court team representing their school.
• Recent graduates must be admitted to the bar within 14 months of appointment.
• Volunteer work and other qualifying experience, paid or unpaid, will be credited.
• You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, by 09/23/2026.

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Bar admission in state/territory/DC/PR

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:

• Baltimore, MD
• Boston, MA
• New York, NY

Applicants should note their desired location(s) 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 09/23/2026.

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, manufacturing, and other aspects. 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