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. his position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-NYS-12875279-MS.

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: 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: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B.

or J.D. Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: 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 one full year.

To be eligible at the GS-11 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-9 level.

Specialized Experience is defined as experience working in a legal environment providing technical advice to litigation teams on legal automation requirements and systems capabilities; organizing and managing case specific discovery; analyzing complex litigation support requirements to develop or recommend appropriate strategies to meet litigation needs; using automated litigation needs; using automated litigation support technology to organize voluminous case information for retrieval, prepare computerized trial presentations, and index digital evidence; researching, analyzing and summarizing relevant legal precedents; and preparing and maintaining a variety of trial-related documents.

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.

Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: 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/.

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 that is responsible for criminal litigation. This position serves as a Paralegal Specialist in the Criminal Division.

Typical work assignments will include but are not limited to: Analyzing a variety of electronic materials by types, size, or format to determine time and resources needed to complete processing and/or to determine the next steps for its handling and management.

Using software tools to process voluminous electronic materials consistent with case requirements.

Preparing a variety of substantive legal documents to include extradition requests, grand jury and trial subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony.

Advising litigation teams on the most effective tools and formats to use in presenting electronic evidence in court or other proceedings, and presenting exhibits during court proceedings using electronic presentation software.

Managing voluminous and complex documentation and evidence in electronic and hard copy formats, and making recommendations following applicable laws, policies, or regulations as to its preparation for use in each stage of litigation and presenting the exhibits using trial presentation software in court.

Participating in case meetings, court hearings, and individually conferring with case agents and attorneys through the investigation and pre-trial proceeding, noting any deficiencies in case materials (e.g., missing documents, conflicting statements) and additional issues or other matters requiring investigation prior to trial.

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