Paralegal Specialist

Full Job Description

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon is seeking to fill Paralegal Specialist positions within our Civil Division.These positions are located in Portland, OR.

This is an open continuous announcement intended to continually solicit applications in order to fill immediate and future vacancies. Initial application reviews will begin January 28, 2026.

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below.

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.

-OR- Education: Master's or equivalent graduate level degree (such as an LL.B or J.D.) OR at least two (2) full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree in a related field (e.g., Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Law).

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.

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 in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, in the Portland Main Office.

Typical work assignments in support of Assistant U.S.

Attorneys will include: Drafting various documents including correspondence, subpoenas, memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, complaints/answers, and discovery responses and requests, for attorney's review.

Reviewing, organizing and summarizing complex factual materials and other documentary data, such as employment and medical records.

Performing legal research as well as factual investigation using a variety of research tools. Discussing relevant facts, legal issues and case strategy with attorneys.

Develop case review databases and, in coordination with case teams, perform complex review of materials to prepare reports and production. Use tables and citation checking with efficiency.

Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents to include subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony.

Develop and enter case information into various computer databases. Prepare charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results.

Reviewing and editing district court pleadings and appellate briefs for consistency and clarity, checking legal citations and correcting typographical, formatting and substantive errors.

Preparing exhibits for hearings and trials and assisting with presentation at both, as well as prepare jury instructions (if applicable).

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