What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal Specialist position at United States Attorneys' Offices?
Summary
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit www.justice.gov/usao/
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
This position is also being announced under Merit Promotion Procedures under 27-NH-13096118-MS.
Duties
Help
If selected for this position, you will serve as a Paralegal Specialist with the Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office.
Duties Will Include, But Are Not Limited To
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
GS-07: To be eligible at the GS-07 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; reviewing legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; and utilizing various computerized database programs to organize extensive documents.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher level graduate education (18 semester hours or the number of units your school uses to describe one graduate year of academic study) in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.) leading to a master's degree or higher.
OR
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of specialized experience and graduate-level education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours then divide the total number of your graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.)
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: To be eligible, you must have a bachelor's degree or expect to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree within the next 9 months AND possess at least one of the following criteria: class standing in the upper third of the graduating class; an overall GPA of 3.0 OR at least a 3.0 based on courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; a GPA of at least 3.5 based on the average of required courses completed in my major field OR based on the average of required courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: drafting pleadings, motions, orders, subpoenas, or other legal documents and correspondence; preparing and organizing evidence for production as discovery for use in trial; conducting legal research by searching databases, reviewing case files and other sources for information; and entering data into a case management tracking system.
OR
Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.): a master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
Combining Education and Experience: Combination of specialized experience as described above, and graduate-level education as described above in which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of one full year.
GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify issues and/or evidence; conducting legal research concerning past court decisions and precedents; composing legal briefs, summaries of analysis and decisions, and/or pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; and assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits.
OR
Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related.
OR
Combining Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.
A relocation or recruitment incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.
The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Veterans' Preference - If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming by checking the appropriate box in the assessment questionnaire to indicate your preference and submit the required veterans' preference documentation as specified in the, "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Political Appointees (Current or Former): 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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
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.
Help
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our 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.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit www.justice.gov/usao/
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
This position is also being announced under Merit Promotion Procedures under 27-NH-13096118-MS.
Duties
Help
If selected for this position, you will serve as a Paralegal Specialist with the Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office.
Duties Will Include, But Are Not Limited To
- Reviewing and organizing complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials.
- Preparing a variety of substantive legal documents to include extradition requests, grand jury and trial subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony.
- Providing advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents.
- Using tables and citation checking with efficiency.
- Developing and entering various case material into a computer database.
- Preparing charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results.
- Developing, compiling, and maintaining jury instructions in preparing for trial.
- Preparing exhibits for trial, which typically involve a wide range of visual materials.
- Providing litigation case management and organize cases for court presentation.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
- You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
- If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
- You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
GS-07: To be eligible at the GS-07 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; reviewing legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; and utilizing various computerized database programs to organize extensive documents.
OR
Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher level graduate education (18 semester hours or the number of units your school uses to describe one graduate year of academic study) in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.) leading to a master's degree or higher.
OR
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of specialized experience and graduate-level education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours then divide the total number of your graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.)
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: To be eligible, you must have a bachelor's degree or expect to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree within the next 9 months AND possess at least one of the following criteria: class standing in the upper third of the graduating class; an overall GPA of 3.0 OR at least a 3.0 based on courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; a GPA of at least 3.5 based on the average of required courses completed in my major field OR based on the average of required courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: drafting pleadings, motions, orders, subpoenas, or other legal documents and correspondence; preparing and organizing evidence for production as discovery for use in trial; conducting legal research by searching databases, reviewing case files and other sources for information; and entering data into a case management tracking system.
OR
Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.): a master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
Combining Education and Experience: Combination of specialized experience as described above, and graduate-level education as described above in which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of one full year.
GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify issues and/or evidence; conducting legal research concerning past court decisions and precedents; composing legal briefs, summaries of analysis and decisions, and/or pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; and assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits.
OR
Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related.
OR
Combining Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.
A relocation or recruitment incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.
The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Veterans' Preference - If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming by checking the appropriate box in the assessment questionnaire to indicate your preference and submit the required veterans' preference documentation as specified in the, "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Political Appointees (Current or Former): 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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
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.
Help
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our 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.