General Attorney

Citizenship and Immigration Services; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Paid federal holidays

Leave days

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services seeks attorneys at GS-13/14/15 levels to support the Office of the Chief Counsel. The role focuses on complex immigration-law issues, delivering timely, accurate guidance to internal and external stakeholders.

Candidates must hold a J.D. or LL.M. from an ABA-accredited school, be active in the bar, and show capacity to manage heavy workloads, meet deadlines, and produce high-quality writing and recommendations.

Qualifications

• J.D. or LL.M. degree from ABA-accredited law school is required.
• Active bar membership in any jurisdiction is required.
• Ability to manage heavy workload and meet deadlines while producing high-quality legal work.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate legal advice to attorneys and non-attorneys on complex immigration law matters.
• Handle a heavy workload and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate strong legal aptitude and produce a concise writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) and a well-crafted cover letter.

Skills

Legal analysis

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Time management

Client counseling

Education

J.D. or LL.M. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Job description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. Do you desire to be a part of the vibrant United States immigrant admission process, to protect American interests and to secure our nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS), and its Office of the Chief Counsel are calling!

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 09/08/2026.

You qualify at the GS-13 level if you: are currently an attorney in federal employment with the equivalent of being a GS-12 and at least one year experience at that level, or if not a federal employee and you have at least one year of post-J.D. professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

You qualify at the GS-14 level if you: are currently an attorney in federal employment with the equivalent of being a GS-13 and at least one year experience at that level, or if not a federal employee and you have at least two years of post-J.D. professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

You qualify at the GS-15 level if you: are currently an attorney in federal employment with the equivalent of being a GS-14 and at least one year experience at that level, or if not a federal employee and you have at least three years of post-J.D. professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Applicants must possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an ABA-accredited law school or serve a legal apprenticeship in California, Virginia, Vermont, or Washington and pass the bar exam in order to be permitted to practice law in one (1) of those jurisdictions.

Bar Requirement GS-13 thru GS-15: Be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction).

All applicants will be rated against the following factors:

• Ability to resolve questions and provide accurate legal advice to both attorneys and non-attorneys on complex legal matters.
• Ability to handle a heavy workload and meet deadlines.
• Legal aptitude as reflected in the resume provided.
• Quality of writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.
• Quality of the cover letter addressed to OCC summarizing interest in the position not to exceed 1 page.
• Quality of recommendations provided (No more than 3 recommendations total).