Lead Paralegal Specialist

Full Job Description

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia mission is to enforce the criminal laws of the United States and the District of Columbia, represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, and respond to the public safety needs of the community by leading an effective, well-coordinated law enforcement effort that contributes to the overall goal of improving the quality of life in the District of Columbia.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying: To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (4) of the (6) duties listed below: Researching and analyzing case files and legal material in preparing substantiative legal documents; Researching and developing presentations in preparation for trial; Communicating with co-workers, attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement, court personnel, victims and other agencies during the criminal process; Providing advice on work methods, practices, and procedures in providing on-the-job training; Evaluating methods to improve process, effectiveness, workflow and performance in reaching the sections goals, objectives, and procedures as determined by management; Preparing, monitoring and reviewing documents for accuracy and timeliness in organizing case files.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR 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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-11 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade.

No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases).

All applicants will be reviewed to ensure they meet minimum qualification and eligibility requirements before carrying out the rating and ranking process.

Applicants will not be further considered who will not meet within 30 days after the closing date of the vacancy announcement all qualification and eligibility requirements.

NOTE(s): Experience: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.

If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire.

If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Major Duties:

This Lead Paralegal Specialist provides support in the analysis of criminal matters, case preparation, investigation support, and case charges.

The incumbent is also responsible for the flow of accurate case information to Matrix, Superior Court Division (SCD) computerized case management system, as well as overall management of case jackets and files.

On a daily basis, the incumbent will monitor the case flow and assignments of cases ready for indictment, assisting with retrieval and preparation of cases in the Investigations Unit.

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team responsible for providing support in the analysis of criminal intake matters, case preparation, trial support and case disposition in the Grand Jury Unit in the General Crimes Section in Superior Court Division (SCD) in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Typical work assignments will include: Plans and organizes the functions, work, and projects assigned to paralegal and legal support staff, by communicating the organizations' goals, objectives, procedures and methodology when assigning work and projects to the unit staff.

Prepares, organizes, and maintains a variety of substantive legal documents to include motions, Findings of Fact, warrants, indictments and unindicted referrals.

Maintains inventory of materials produced pursuant to subpoena or search warrant and prepares an outline or other summary of substantive documents/materials produced pursuant to grand jury subpoena or search warrant.

Reviews assignments for completeness and accuracy and performing any appropriate redactions, based on a thorough understanding of requirements of the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the local rules, any protective orders, and any relevant court ruling.

Secures evidentiary material and documents throughout the Grand Jury process. Initiates and completes a variety of legal tasks in support of the grand jury and court processes.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.