Mail & File Clerk (OA)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking staff for the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) Legal Operations. Positions are nationwide and involve supporting agency counsel in immigration litigation and related duties, in a non-bargaining unit environment.

Responsibilities include handling mail, maintaining files, and assisting with legal documentation and coordination across multiple offices. Applicants must meet basic federal qualifications and pass background checks.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required to apply.
• Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
• Typing proficiency 40 words per minute with minimal errors.

Responsibilities

• Process a variety of incoming and outgoing mail; update distribution patterns.
• Perform general office duties to support staff; sort mail, reroute, date stamp.
• File and route incoming materials and briefs related to legal matters.
• Maintain suspense files and communicate with staff on overdue correspondence.
• Support federal litigation and immigration proceedings as required.

Skills

Typing proficiency 40 wpm

General office experience

Education

Two years of education above high school

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Summary

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) Legal Operations (Legal Ops) throughout the country.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Note

One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Duties

ICE OPLA is the largest legal department within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with more than 3,000 attorneys and 500 support staff working nationwide in 143 offices located within nine Regions throughout the United States. Pursuant to statute, OPLA serves as the exclusive representative of DHS in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review litigating cases involving criminal aliens, terrorists, human rights violators, and other priority aliens. OPLA also provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices.

Responsibilities

Legal Operations (Legal Ops) paralegals assist OPLA attorneys who serve as agency counsel before the DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review, in federal litigation, and on a robust and diverse client services portfolio. Legal Ops attorneys serve as the exclusive representatives of the U.S. Government in immigration proceedings before the 73 immigration courts and three adjudication centers nationwide, as well as the Board of Immigration Appeals. Legal Ops attorneys and paralegals support the U.S. Attorney's Offices nationwide in handling federal litigation pending in the U.S. District Courts, including petitions for writs of habeas corpus, motions for injunctive relief, and class action lawsuits. At the full performance level, OPLA Legal Ops paralegal responsibilities include:

• Process a variety of incoming and outgoing mail in accordance with agency and postal service requirements; update old and establish new distribution patterns and codes and maintain suspense files.


• Perform general office duties in support of office staff; such as sort bulk mail, reroute misdirected mail, date stamp mail, and screen for priority items.


• File and route incoming materials, briefs and correspondence that concern legal and specialized matter.


• Maintain suspense files for communication with staff on overdue correspondence.


• Work requires walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, standing and carrying moderately heavy boxes.


• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.


• You must successfully pass a background investigation.


• You must successfully pass a drug screen.


• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.


• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.


• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.


• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.


• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.


• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

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

Do not

copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Legal Ops

Minimum Qualifications for GS-04

One (1) year of general experience equivalent to the GS-03 level in the federal service that includes experience such as:

• Receive, sort and distribute incoming mail;


• Prepare outgoing correspondence or packages;


• Maintain files and records;


• Retrieve and organize documents;


• Perform routine clerical support duties

OR

Education Substitution:

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required to qualify for the GS-04 level. To qualify based on education you must have successful completion of two (2) years above the high school level in any field from an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university for experience at the GS-04 grade level.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial/official transcripts submitted with your application.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-05:

One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-04 grade level in the federal service that includes experience such as:

• Independently maintain office files and records;


• Apply filing systems and records procedures;


• Sort, process and distribute incoming and outgoing mail;


• Refer office calls and visitors to appropriate sources;


• Perform routine clerical support duties

OR

Education Substitution:

You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial/official transcripts submitted with your application.

Typing Proficiency

In addition to the above minimum qualification requirements, applicants must be able to type at least 40 words per minute based on a 5-minute sample, with three or fewer errors.

Current or Former Political Appointees:

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.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience):

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.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

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 an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional Information

This announcement is to create an inventory of qualified applicants. Due to the high volume of applicants, the first 75 applicants will receive first consideration. Additional applicants, beyond the first 75, may be considered, upon management 's request.

Promotion Potential:

When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Salary:

The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

E-Verify:

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Suitability:

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation:

To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Benefits:

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; telework; 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,