Fact Witness Coordinator / Paralegal II Supporting the US Attorney's Office

• Provide witness management assistance prior to, during, and after both grand jury proceedings and trials.
• Typical assignments include:
  • work directly with witnesses, aid, and support to ensure appearance for court, pre-trial conferences, and grand jury.
  • Receive visitors, field phone calls, questions and other inquiries from witnesses seeking information pertaining to court, pre-trial conferences, grand jury appearances and expense reimbursement.
  • Obtain pertinent information for files and documents necessary to arrange witness travel and reimbursements.
• Coordinate the Grand Jury witness program by scheduling witness appearances, notifying witnesses, coordinating logistics, and ensuring witnesses receive appropriate travel instructions and reimbursement information. Use judgment to determine when AUSA should be notified of special circumstances or needs of witnesses. When needed, confers with AUSA concerning witness appearance and special circumstances regarding witnesses (special authorizations, international witnesses, military/federal employee witnesses, or hostile witnesses). Complete and submit proper documentation for special authorizations and obtain prior approval before proceeding with travel arrangements.
• Prior to witness' appearance, ensure all travel documents and appearance date and time have been provided to witness. Make necessary arrangements for witness travel and lodging according to Department of Justice and USAO policies and procedures.
• Meet with witnesses upon arrival to designated proceeding or pre-trial conference, offer, and perform courtroom orientation, accompany witness to court, ensure a safe waiting area is available, and collect necessary documentation and signatures for witness reimbursement documents.
• Prepare and submit documentation for witness reimbursement, i.e. witness vouchers and other required documentation. Furnish requested information concerning pending and completed witness vouchers to payment center in a timely fashion. Maintains organized files and gathers required documentation reconciles Government Travel Accounts.
• Obtain information, confer, and coordinate with the Court, Probation, Pretrial, U.S. Marshals Service, investigative agencies, and other counterparts, when necessary.
• Complete variable aspects of recurring documents in conformance with the rules governing their style and format. Compose original letters that do not require legal interpretations but require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology relevant to fact witness laws and regulations.
• Perform general office procedures pertaining to witness management, including, but not limited to: establish and maintain a variety of witness files, documents and databases; assemble documents and other information for witness file material and retention in accordance with established procedures and Department of Justice regulations; if requested, establish and maintain calendar and/or database of active and pending witness appearances; track hearings, trial dates, grand jury and scheduling conferences; perform other administrative and logistical witness management related duties as required/assigned.

Qualifications:

• The Witness Coordinator must possess a high school diploma.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and thorough knowledge of legal research tools. Communication skills are extremely important.
• Works and interacts professionally, cooperatively, and effectively with all levels of staff.
• Ability to meet established deadlines and work as a team player in a professional office.
• Skill in meeting and dealing with people in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Demonstrated ability to review a wide variety of documents, both legal and non-legal documents, including motions and briefs, and a variety of legal correspondence.
• Ability to consistently produce accurate work while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.