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. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-CO-12929233-MS.

GS-7: To be eligible at the GS-7 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-5 level.

Experience drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence; performing basic research; reviewing incoming documents and ability to determine the need for additional information; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; and utilizing various automated database programs to organize, store, retrieve, and track documents and/or information.

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) leading to a master's degree OR bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.

Superior academic achievement is defined as follows: standing in the upper third of your graduating class or major subdivision, OR membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies, OR obtaining a sufficient grade point average, defined as the following.

Applicants must have a grade point average of: (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

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 combined education and experience, candidates must demonstrate a combination of specialized experienced and graduate-level education that equals 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.) GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 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-7 level.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a basic knowledge of legal research and the ability to interpret legal decisions.

Examples of specialized experience may include the following: performing paralegal or legal work such as conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to requests; composing a variety of legal documents and correspondence; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources to extract information related to specific issues; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; and utilizing various automated database programs to organize, store, retrieve, and track documents and/or information.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g Criminal Justice, Law): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LLB or J.D., if related); OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must require graduates to have 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.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE (1) 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 ; conducting legal research; 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., if related.

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.

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/. Major Duties:

If selected for this position, you will join our Civil Division.

The incumbent provides routine legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in a variety of specialized litigative activities related Civil.

Typical work assignments will include: Performs legal research on particular issues and cases identified by attorney(s) such as researching cases, law, statutes, regulations, court rules, policies, procedures, legal periodicals and other authorities relevant to the particular issues.

Following established USAO (United States Attorneys Office) precedents, drafts initial legal and administrative briefs, motions, oppositions to defense motions and correspondence for AUSA ( Assistant United States Attorneys) review.

Prepares and organizes documentation and evidence for production as discovery and for use in trial. Coordinates production of administrative records and responses to requests for discovery.

Participates in pre-trial witness conferences, noting any deficiencies in case materials (e.g., missing documents, conflicting statements) and additional issues or other matters requiring investigation prior to trial.

Drafts initial legal and administrative briefs, USAO (United States Attorneys Office) motions, oppositions to defense motions and correspondence for AUSA ( Assistant United States Attorneys) review Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.