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To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire  https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10925801 and submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below by 11:59pm, October 23, 2020

*NOTE: This job will close when we have received 150 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.


Duties


Organizational Location: This Pathways Student Intern position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Immigration and Customs Office of the Principle Legal Advisor (OPLA) in Newark, NJ.

**This position is a Internship Not To Exceed 1-year appointments with the option of yearly extensions.


Responsibilities

  • As a As a Student Trainee (Legal Assistant) (Office Automation), you will perform the following duties:
  • Perform a variety of complex support for a staff of attorneys involved in immigration law practices and court proceedings;
  • Provide data gathering and analysis support for a variety of legal processes;
  • Operate word-processing software and computer hardware to produce, store, and retrieve drafts of a variety of documentation types;
  • Provide general support to attorneys in all areas of docket management or motion and appeal preparation; and
  • Assist attorneys in preparing relevant documents for use in court proceedings.

Travel Required

  • Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status
  • No
Promotion Potential
  • None


Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.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 or possession of drugs.Selective Service registration required.A pre-employment drug test will be required.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.DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.Bargaining Unit Position: NoComplete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.Must be 16 years or older at the time of appointment.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.

Qualifications

  • BASIC ELIGIBILITY: In order to be eligible as a Student Intern under the ICE Pathways Program, you must be enrolled in a qualifying educational institution (on at least a half-time basis) pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate. A qualifying educational institution is a public high school whose curriculum has been approved by a state or local governing body; a private school that provides secondary education as determined under state law; a homeschool that is allowed to operate in a state; and educational institutions or curricula accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. This includes technical or vocational schools; 2- and 4-year colleges or universities; graduate and professional schools (e.g. law school or medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Candidates must also:
  • Must remain in good academic standing as defined by the school, generally at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) for undergraduate programs (cumulative) and a 3.0 GPA for advanced degree programs.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be maintained throughout the entire internship appointment.
  • Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the ICE Qualification Standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted.
  • Meet the ICE developed qualifications standards prior to appointment and any physical, suitability, security requirements and if applicable medical clearance.
  • If selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Program Participant Agreement.

  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • GS-5: Completion of 4 full academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. VeteransPeace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

  • PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION:
  • Interns may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the internship program. Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1 to 4 years in duration) appointment without further competition.

  • To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:
  • - Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program.
  • - Complete degree requirements within one year of your internship appointment date.
  • - Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted.
  • - Must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire internship appointment.
  • - Perform their job successfully.
  • - Agencies may waive up to 320 of the required 640 hours of work for Interns who demonstrate high potential as evidenced by outstanding academic achievement and exceptional job performance.
  • - In addition, students working in agencies through third-party intern providers may count up to 320 of the hours they work toward the 640 hour requirement.
  • - Time spent under previous Internship Program appointments may count towards required work experience hours.

Education

  • When using 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

  • Non-Competitive Conversion Eligibility: Candidate(s) selected from this announcement may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the competitive service provided that all terms of the Internship Program are met, and there is an available position. However, conversion is not guaranteed. Additional information on the ICE Pathways Program can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/careers/pathways
  • Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement from your command if currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

  • 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.

  • 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 for Public Trust 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.

  • 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.


How You Will Be Evaluated

  • You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
  • You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:
  1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
  2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis
  3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
  • If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link:  https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10925801.

  • The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Veteran preference eligibles will receive selection consideration before non-preference eligibles within each quality category.
  • Interview Requirement: Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

  • Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.


Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Drug test required
  • Yes
  • Required Documents
  •  Help

Required Documents

  • To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
  1. Resume showing relevant experience, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor.
  2. Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcript from an accredited educational institution (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed. Prior to appointment, an official college transcript will be required. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
  3. Enrollment: Official documentation from your school that verifies current or projected enrollment must be provided prior to appointment to the position. (Documents that show school enrollment in a previous semester do not provide evidence of current enrollment and therefore are not acceptable for this purpose).
  4. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):
  5. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found herehttps://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
  6. Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
  7. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  • Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

  • 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.



How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire  https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10925801 and submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.

  • The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/23/2020.

  • PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application. The application process is as follows:

  • 1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
  • 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
  • 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date
  • 4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
  • 5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements
  • 6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account .

  • To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

  • To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ .

  • Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail, email, or fax. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

  • Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire


Agency contact information

 Tammi DeBerry

Phone
Email
  • Tammi.N.DeBerry@ice.dhs.gov
Address
  • OPLA FIELD LEGAL OPS
  • 7701 N Stemmons Freeway
  • DALLAS, TX 75247
  • US



Next steps

  • Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration

  • In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

  • Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

  • Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

  • Once you submit your application and complete all assessments, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

  • Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.