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General Clerk III at Bowhead / UIC Technical Services

Bowhead / UIC Technical Services Newark, NJ $22+/hour

Job Description

Overview GENERAL CLERK III (ICE-NJ-8): Bowhead seeks a General Clerk III to provide Document Management Support Services to the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). OPLA requires case management support and administrative services for the execution of their broad and diverse mission of providing a full range of legal counsel and services to all ICE offices and programs. OPLA's responsibilities include representing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in proceedings before the Immigration Courts, representing DHS in appellate proceedings before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and providing support and direction to the Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation, as well as to the U.S. Attorney's Offices nationwide. The Chief Counsel's office handles confidential and high-level documentation. This position is full-time, benefits eligible at an hourly rate of $22.72 plus $5.09 H&W (Health and Welfare) rate per local wage determination. The location is in Newark, NJ. Responsibilities The duties primarily include maintaining and organizing files, mail management, scanning of documents, enter/upload data into PLAnet (OPLA's electronic alien file repository), conducting research, and drafting documents. General Clerk III follows detailed procedures in performing repetitive tasks in the same sequence. Other general clerical duties include: Mail Management, including paper and electronic correspondence and packages Receive, open date stamp, sort, and distribute in-bound mail Interfile correspondence in case files Shelve/re-shelve files as appropriate Utilize the RAILS automated file system to locate files and for internal and external file transfers Assist with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests Per local office procedures, route or file materials that concern legal or specialized matters (e.g., briefs, correspondence, exhibit packets) Comply with ICE and NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) General Records Schedule document retention standardization policy and procedures Enter/upload data into PLAnet (OPLA's electronic alien file repository), including but not limited to the recording of receipt of motions, notices of appeal, briefing schedules, court decisions Qualifications High School Diploma or equivalent required. Minimum of one (1) year experience in an administrative office environment required. Extensive computer/PC knowledge required including; spreadsheet software, word processing software and knowledge of MS Office Suite. Must be able to successfully pass a federal background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. Federal background investigation includes, but is not limited to, citizenship status, residency information, work experience, education, credit history, criminal record check, and fingerprints. Physical Demands: Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED: Must be able to obtain a security clearance at the DHS ICE T2 level.

$46k is right at market for Office Clerks, General nationally

National salary averages
$46k
↑ 5% vs typical mid-level
Entry
Mid
Senior
This job
$29k Market range (10th-90th percentile) $64k

Hot hiring, constrained wages

Employers are hiring actively, but pay hasn't caught up with demand. Focus on competing offers and non-salary benefits.

Hiring leverage
Lean candidate
Wage leverage âš  Disconnect
Constrained
Mobility
High mobility
Durability
High fragility

Why this market feels harder than it looks

This market is hiring aggressively, but compensation hasn't caught up and most openings are backfilling churn, not expansion. Employers are filling roles, but not bidding wages up.

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Senior candidates with options
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Watch out for

Wage disconnect: Hiring is active but pay hasn't responded—negotiate on other terms.

Don't let hiring headlines mislead you—focus on concrete offers. Your leverage may be less durable than it appears—move decisively.

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
Stable but flat

Steady work, but limited growth in both jobs and pay.

-7%
10yr growth
Most openings come from retirements and turnover, not new positions.
282,400 openings projected annually—mostly replacing retirees and turnover.
Typical: High school diploma or equivalent

Consider building adjacent skills to stay marketable.

Labor data: BLS 2024