Paralegal Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Board of Immigration Appeals (Board), Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Justice.

The Paralegal Specialist provides assistance to the Appellate Immigration Judges (AIJs) and Attorney Advisors in case adjudications by performing legal research and analysis; drafting documents; and creating and maintaining case files.

In order to qualify for the Paralegal Specialist 0950-09 position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Drafting judicial papers or responses to motions, such as, subpoenas, change of venue, or motions to terminate.

Evaluating judicial orders, decisions, bond proceedings, or legal documents for case law compliance. Entering data into case management systems according to proper data entry requirements.

Obtaining factual information or research through face-to-face meetings with legal support personnel.

(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) -OR- Education: Have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR I have an LL.B.

or J.D., in a directly related field. (Must provide transcripts.) NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of the above-described graduate education and specialized experience such that they total 100% of the stated minimum qualifications for the GS-09 level.

Only graduate education beyond the first year (18 semester hours) may be used when combining education and experience for this option.

NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Writing analyses and/or legal memoranda regarding the results of research.

Performing legal research into laws, legislative history, precedent setting cases, decisions or opinions. Creating user defined reports relating to ongoing legal matters.

Advising or explaining factual information or research to general public through face-to-face meetings. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) -OR- Education: Have a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR I have an LL.M. in a directly related field.

(Must submit transcripts.) NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Must have a combination of experience and education which totals 100% of the necessary experience and education needed to qualify for this position.

(Only graduate education beyond one year, i.e., 18 semester hours, may be combined with experience under this provision.) NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR 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.

NOTE: In order to be rated as meeting the minimum qualifications, we must be able to determine from your application package that you have the education and/or specialized experience that is required.

Your resume MUST contain your full name, some form of contact information (phone number, email address and/or living address), and the following employment information: Employer name and location for each position held.

From and to dates (MM/YY-MM/YY or from MM/YY to "present") for each position held. The month and year is required to fully credit your time.

For part-time positions, please include number of hours worked per week, positions that do not include this information will be assumed as full-time (40 hours a week).

Grade/levels held for each federal position. (Ex. GS-11; IR-06; FV-G...etc.) Detailed descriptions of experience under each position held.

(Applicants must provide specific supporting examples to show that they meet the qualifications of the position shown in the announcement.) Any submitted documents not required or requested for this vacancy will not be considered (i.e.

training certificates, case filings, letter of recommendations, etc.). (ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION PRIOR TO FINAL SELECTION.) Major Duties:

This is a Competitive Service position; additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.

As a Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-9/11, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision: Screening and reviewing case files to identify and record legal issues; processing and moving screened cases based upon review thereof.

Performing extensive and thorough legal research into laws, legislative history, precedent setting cases, decisions, and opinions that may be applicable.

Drafting administrative decisions to be reviewed by AIJs; drafting responses to motions, and notice letters to parties before the Board.

Providing technical support to staff members, attorneys, managers, and AIJs during various stages of case processing and adjudication, and timely responds to inquiries regarding the status and processing of cases.

Preparing memoranda and reports, and compiling data and other information relating to ongoing immigration matters. Monitoring the case management system for judicial and internal deadlines.

Responding to time-sensitive phone calls and email inquiries from the public and the Department of Homeland Security concerning motions for stay of removal; assisting attorneys and AIJs in preparing the case file for review in adjudicating the motions for stay of removal.