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-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 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 (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 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: examining and processing a variety of legal documents; conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to complex or sensitive requests; drafting briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; document findings and preparing recommendations; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

Education: Possess a Master's or equivalent degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law, Political Science, etc.); OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR an LLB or J.D.

Education must be obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position; Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements.

To calculate your percentage of education, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages.

The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

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 and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing legal motions and 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: Possess a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law, Political Science, etc.); OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M., if related.

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

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements.

To calculate your percentage of education, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages.

The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

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/.

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/.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) -VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce.

To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service.

If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Special Employment Consideration - Persons with disabilities, veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the armed forces, and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for non-competitive appointments.

For further information, click on the links provided below .

You must specify in your online questionnaire under what authority you wish to be considered and submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities Links: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-of-Appointments Major Duties:

Overview of the United States Attorney's Office - District of New Mexico With a talented workforce of over 100,000 people, the mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights.

You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty and the property of citizens. The U.S.

Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of New Mexico is one of 94 USAOs in the nation. But our office is unique. New Mexico is home to 23 tribes and pueblos, 4 military bases, and 2 national labs.

New Mexico is the fifth biggest state of the union in size, shares a border with Mexico, and is a major international and economic corridor.

The USAO is primarily responsible for prosecuting federal crime occurring in the District of New Mexico.

The USAO partners with tribal, state, county, city, and foreign governments to ensure our communities are safe and prosperous. The mission of the U.S.

Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico is to uphold the rule of law, keep New Mexico and the nation safe, and to protect civil rights.

The Office earns the public trust by following the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor.

The Office adheres to the highest standards of excellence and ethical behavior, interested not in winning cases but in ensuring justice is done.

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for 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.

Typical work assignments will include: Reviewing and organizing complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials.

Utilizing specialized software to process and manage case evidence in electronic and hard copy formats for production in discovery and for use in each stage of litigation.

Performing legal research to locate case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, policies, procedures, legal periodicals, and other legal authorities that are relevant to case issues identified by attorney(s).

Evaluating and analyzing a variety of specialized legal topics and points of law.

Preparing a variety of substantive legal documents to include legal briefs, motions, oppositions to defense motions, technical correspondence, and other documentation relevant to the prosecution of cases.

Cite-checking legal briefs to ensure validity of cited authority and accuracy of legal citations. Developing and preparing jury instructions and related pleadings in preparation for trial.

Organizing data and developing trial exhibits containing images, audio and video recordings, statistical charts, graphs, and timelines to be presented in court as corroborative evidence.

Developing and entering various case data into computer databases. Providing administrative support to assigned attorneys.

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