PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.

Border Patrol Headquarters, Mission Support Directive, Finance Department. Location negotiable after selection.

You must choose one of the following locations: San Diego, CA Tucson, AZ McAllen, TX El Paso, TX Washington, DC New Orleans, LA Miami, FL Detroit, MI Seattle, WA Philadelphia, PA Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Adjudicating complex seizure, penalty, and fine cases by reviewing investigative reports, evaluating evidence and legal issues, and preparing recommendations or draft decisions in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and mitigation guidelines; Conducting in-depth legal research using laws, regulations, precedent decisions, and agency policies to analyze case-specific issues and to support written findings, conclusions, and recommendations; Drafting clear, legally sound correspondence and memoranda, including decision letters and policy or procedure guidance, that explain findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the rationale for case outcomes; Providing technical guidance and training to field and headquarters personnel on case processing requirements, asset forfeiture procedures, and the proper application of agency policies and mitigation guidelines; Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., program offices, field units, legal counsel, and other government agencies) to obtain information, resolve case-related issues, and ensure timely and accurate completion of enforcement-related case actions.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 02/04/2026.

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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity.

During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP.

Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S.

Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S.

government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S.

government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible.

View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. Major Duties:

In this position, you will perform complex legal and analytical work, including reviewing and adjudicating cases, conducting legal research, and preparing recommendations and correspondence.

You will also provide guidance to personnel and stakeholders to help ensure consistent application of applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Your work directly supports the agency's ability to enforce the law fairly and effectively, safeguard government interests, and maintain the integrity of its programs.

This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $$138,370.00 (GS-13 Step 10). Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S.

scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table.

Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

As a Paralegal Specialist, you will be responsible for performing complex legal and analytical work, reviewing and adjudicating cases, conducting legal research, preparing written recommendations and correspondence, and providing guidance to personnel and stakeholders to ensure consistent application of applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Typical duties will include: Providing guidance and analysis to maintain nationwide compliance and uniformity.

Performing legal and analytical work applying knowledge of legal principles and concepts of CBP and general law.

Preparing and drafting memorandums regarding policy or procedure updates to the Seized Asset Management Enforcement Procedures Handbook (SAMEPH) or other DHS national policy documents and recommending improvements to policies and procedures.

Coordinating with CBP and other DHS personnel and stakeholders to ensure timely and proper case processing and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency requirements.