Paralegal Specialist

Full Job Description

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

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: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing a variety of analytical paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing legal briefs, summaries of analyses and decisions, and pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; and preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): 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.

Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.

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/. Major Duties:

This position is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The incumbent provides substantive legal support to Assistant U.S.

Attorneys in a variety of specialized litigated activities related to Affirmative Civil Enforcement.

The work requires discretion and independent judgement in the application of specialized knowledge of particular laws, regulations, precedents or agency practices and directly affected the outcome of cases.

Typical work assignments will include: Reviewing and evaluating referrals to determine the need for additional evidence and information, and planning a comprehensive approach to obtain this information and evidence.

Advising the attorneys regarding the merits and weaknesses of affirmative civil enforcement referrals based upon applicable law, evidence of liability and damages, potential defenses, and recommends for or against commencement of judicial proceedings.

Assist attorneys in pre-trial preparations by preparing, scheduling, reviewing and organizing discovery, notifying, interviewing, and managing witnesses, and researching case law.

Supports attorneys in court proceedings by briefing attorney on pertinent facts, issues, and case law, and by compiling, organizing and indexing exhibits.

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