Immigration Judge.

Executive Office for Immigration Review; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Federal salary payments by direct deposit

Job summary

A U.S. government agency is seeking highly qualified candidates for the role of Immigration Judge. The position requires a law degree and active membership in the bar, along with relevant litigation and adjudication experience. Immigration Judges will adjudicate immigration cases, preside over court proceedings, and exercise independent judgment in decision-making. The role is integral to the immigration system, requiring an understanding of laws and the ability to work with various legal professionals. Additional qualifications apply.

Qualifications

• Must possess a law degree and be an active member of the bar.
• Experience in litigation or adjudication post-bar admission is required.
• Candidates must file a financial disclosure statement.

Responsibilities

• Preside over formal immigration court proceedings.
• Make decisions on removability and applications for relief.
• Exercise independent judgment in reaching final decisions.

Skills

Legal writing

Litigation and adjudication experience

Ability to interpret laws

Independent judgment

Education

LL.B., J.D., or LL.M. degree

Job description

Responsibilities

Duties: This position is in the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Office of the Chief Immigration Judge. EOIR seeks highly qualified individuals to join our team of expert professionals who serve as immigration adjudicators. Immigration Judges work with a team that includes attorneys, legal assistants, and other support staff.

EOIR plays a pivotal role in the administration of the Nation's immigration system. EOIR's mission is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and other administrative hearings.

EOIR consists of three adjudicatory components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of the immigration judges' decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases.

Immigration Judges preside over formal, quasi-judicial hearings. Proceedings before Immigration Judges include but are not limited to removal and bond adjudications, and involve issues of removability as well as applications for relief such as asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status.

Immigration Judges make decisions that are final, subject to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. In connection with these proceedings, Immigration Judges exercise certain discretionary powers as provided by law and are required to exercise independent judgment in reaching final decisions. Immigration Judges may be required to conduct hearings in penal institutions and other remote locations.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Employment is contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Security clearance may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• Moving and Relocation Expenses are not authorized.
• Relevant experience (see qualifications below.)
• Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• You must file a financial disclosure statement in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• For Full time employment only – Conversion to permanent position is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a probationary period and appointment by the Attorney General.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Immigration Judge position, applicants must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

Education

• Applicants must possess a LL.B., J.D., or LL.M. degree. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your degree and the name of the College or University from which it was conferred/awarded.)

Licensure

• Applicants must be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your first license and the State from which it was issued.)

Experience

• Applicants must possess qualifying post-licensure litigation or adjudication experience. Qualifying trial experience includes experience litigating cases in which a complaint was filed with a court or administrative agency, or a charging document (e.g., indictment, notice of violation, or information) was issued by a court, administrative entity, grand jury, or appropriate military authority.
• Qualifying experience conducting administrative hearings or adjudicating administrative cases includes relevant experience handling cases in which a formal procedure was initiated by a governmental administrative body.

NOTE: Qualifying experience is calculated only after bar admission.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your assessment questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MM/YYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name; position title; Federal grade level(s) held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.

Additional Requirements

Candidates will need to demonstrate that any future employment with EOIR is not a conflict of interest with other employment opportunities currently held or will be held by the candidate.

Additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, applicants must submit a Writing Sample, not to exceed ten (10) pages, demonstrating their ability to author legal documents and a document addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) in order to be considered for this position. Failure to submit these documents will result in your application package being removed from consideration.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.