Supervising Staff Attorney, Immigration

Position Summary

$184,950 (CL 31) San Francisco, CA Please submit applications by September 16, 2026

The Office of Staff Attorneys (OSA) is accepting applications for the position of Supervisory Immigration Attorney. The Immigration Supervisor reports to the Chief Staff Attorney and is responsible for providing leadership within the office, managing immigration casework, and supervising immigration attorneys.

About the Office of Staff Attorneys:

OSA is the central legal staff for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and is a highly collegial environment. OSA has subject area teams of attorneys who focus on civil, immigration, criminal, or habeas matters.

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and seek a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov.

About the Position:

We’re looking for a strong communicator with strong ethics and solid judgment, who is comfortable operating in a fluid, complex environment, and with using new technology. The ideal candidate will be practical, flexible, and creative. The candidate will be both big picture and detail-oriented, able to understand and prioritize institutional needs, while fostering a positive workplace culture with clear expectations and benchmarks. To be successful in this position, the candidate must be adept at managing tight timelines and making decisions with a high level of personal accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Representative Duties:

• Manage, assign, and track OSA’s immigration case work

• Develop and lead efforts to improve immigration case processing

• Supervise immigration staff attorneys

• Maintain substantive knowledge of legal issues

• Participate in hiring, training, and office administration

• Collaborate and liaise with office leadership and other court units

Qualifications and Prior Experience

Position Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school

• Minimum of 8 years post-JD legal work experience, including significant immigration experience, with significant supervisory experience.

• Federal court experience

• Proof that you are licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and an active member of the bar in good standing.

How to Apply

Total Rewards

• Salary: $184,950 (CL 31)

• Time Off: 13 vacation days; 13 sick leave days; 11 paid holidays

• Benefits: Employer subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental, vision, flexible spending account, long-term care plans available. Employer sponsored pension plan and supplemental retirement contribution plans with employer match.

• Other Perks: Telework opportunities, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, mass transit subsidy, reasonable work hours, team environment, creative people, and enhanced tenure-based vacation accrual.

How to Apply:

Via the Career Portal, please submit a single pdf application packet that includes a cover letter, resume, and three references. Priority will be given to applications received by September 16, 2026.

Next Steps:

Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified. Unsuccessful candidates will not receive notice. Applicants scheduled for interviews should advise the Human Resources department if any accommodation is needed for the interview. Travel and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.