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 which demonstrates a basic knowledge of legal research and writing and the ability to interpret legal decisions.

Examples of specialized experience may include the following: preparing and processing a variety of legal documents; conducting research, analysis and summarizing relevant legal precedents for applicability to assigned cases; drafting motions, foreclosures, garnishments, and other legal actions; monitoring cases to ensure deadlines are met; assisting in trial preparation and acting as liaison with other law enforcement agencies for the exchange of information.

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.

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.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet the Specialized Experience as defined below: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level.

Specialized experience is defined as: assisting with the development of policies and procedures related to the asset forfeiture area and ensuring compliance by the asset forfeiture staff; serving as an expert in the area of asset forfeiture law and assisting others with asset forfeiture matters; performing paralegal research and support assignments relating to the forfeiture of money, real and personal property; preparing legal pleadings to commence judicial asset forfeiture proceedings and proposing orders to accomplish forfeiture, settlement or dismissal; coordinating with investigating agencies to gather factual support for forfeiture theories and potential third party claims; and researching, analyzing and evaluating legal and factual issues and information for asset forfeiture details involved in various cases.

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.

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.

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 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 providing substantive legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in a variety of specialized litigative activities related to both civil and criminal asset forfeiture matters arising from a wide range of Federal offenses (i.e., narcotics and money laundering violations, bank and health care fraud, smuggling, gambling and child exploitation cases), forfeiture investigations and the seizure and final disposition of assets.

Typical work assignments will include: Performing programmatic work in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) asset forfeiture activities to include analysis and evaluation of internal and external operations.

Performing specialized legal research in support of asset forfeiture work, including research of legislative intent and controversial judicial precedents and case law.

Receiving, examining, and evaluating asset forfeiture cases referred for judicial forfeiture proceedings by the seizing agencies or referred for technical evaluation by lower graded paralegal staff.

Performing a variety of tasks in support of discovery proceedings, scheduling depositions, monitoring court appearance dates and deadlines, and preparing reports associated with trials, hearings, and other legal presentations.