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-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 in the area of financial litigation 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 to include financial information on debtors; 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 necessary to initiate collection of debts; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; documenting findings and preparing recommendations; 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: 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 1 full year. Major Duties:

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team as a Paralegal Specialist with the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Typical work assignments will include: Analyzing legal decisions, compiling substantive information on legal subjects and collecting, interpreting and evaluating evidence with hearings, appeals, litigation or advisory services.

Preparing a variety of legal documents to include, motions, foreclosures and garnishments regarding debts owed.

Researching, analyzing, and summarizing legal precedents and analyzing records pertinent to financial litigation legal issues.

Utilizing automated legal search tools to research legal matters in criminal or civil proceedings.

Processing debt collection claims for compliance with the Federal Claims Collection Standards and making decisions for debt compromise, write-offs and referral of claims.

Liquidating judgments and determining debtors' ability to pay for garnishments, executions, and levy of property.

Enforcing criminal judgment and of criminal cases such as criminal fines, assessments, interest, penalties, restitution, bond forfeitures, appearance bond forfeitures, criminal forfeitures and court costs.

Conducting interviews of debtors, employers, and agency officials to determine and pursue legal actions to debtors in fault.

Participating in developing and implementing revised procedures relating to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) financial litigation program.

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