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-ILS-12846670-MS.

GS-09: 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 conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to financial, complex, or sensitive legal issues; drafting briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence; reviewing investigative and financial reports and other documents presented by client agencies; and searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

OR 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 LL.B.

or J.D.); 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 demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

OR Combining Education and Experience: Combination of experience and education which combined equal 100% of the requirements for this position.

(Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year is creditable.) 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/. Major Duties:

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team and serve as a Paralegal Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Illinois in the Financial Litigation Unit.

Typical work assignments will include: Performing a wide range of technical support duties involving the processing of cases within the financial litigation function, to include preparation and filing of pleadings, as well as running and analyzing reports.

Using a variety of automated systems to conduct research, initiate documents for debt collection actions, and track debtor accounts.

Developing, analyzing, and evaluating information regarding debtors' financial assets. Reviewing and analyzing claims for legal merit and compliance with the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act.

Working closely with attorneys and other support staff in making recommendations concerning financial litigation matters.

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